Chapter one hundred

The world above faded into a distant memory, the sounds muffled and muted, replaced by the rhythmic pulse of his heartbeat.

But suddenly, a shadow loomed overhead, pulling him back to reality. Curious, he kicked his legs and propelled himself upward, breaking the surface with a dramatic splash. Water cascaded off his hair, glinting in the sunlight like tiny diamonds, and he took a moment to catch his breath.

As he gasped for air, he squinted against the brightness and saw Valerie standing at the edge, her arms crossed, a bemused expression dancing across her face. The sunlight caught the droplets clinging to her dark hair, making it shimmer like a waterfall. She looked stunning, her swimsuit hugging her curves just right, and Joseph felt a familiar flutter in his chest.