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“Help!” I scream, my voice hoarse and desperate. “Someone, please help us!”

But there’s no response, no sign of anyone nearby. I keep kicking, putting every ounce of effort into it, but the river remains silent, indifferent to our plight. I strain my ears, hoping to hear the distant hum of a boat motor or the shouts of a search party. But there’s nothing.

Why would there be? No one knows we’re out here.

Chloe whimpers, her face pressed against my shoulder. “What if no one finds us?” she whispers, her voice small and fragile.

I swallow hard, trying to ignore the icy tendrils of fear squeezing my heart. “They will,” I say, infusing my voice with a conviction I don’t feel. “Your dad… He’ll realize something’s wrong when we don’t come back. He’ll come looking for us.”

But even as the words leave my mouth, I can’t help but wonder… What if he doesn’t think he needs to hurry back because Chloe is being looked after?

Ha.Looked after. Yeah, the first time I’m the responsible adult for a child, and this is the result.

No. I can’t think like that. Not now. Not when Chloe needs me to be strong.

I force a smile, brushing a strand of wet hair from Chloe’s face. “Hey, sing that song you did at rehearsals.”

“Now?”

“Yeah, I really liked it.”

Her lips are chattering. “I’m not sure I can remember the words.”

“Try,” I suggest, my voice gentle. “It’ll help pass the time until help arrives.”

For a moment, Chloe hesitates. But then, softly at first, she begins to sing. Her voice is tremulous and uncertain, the notes wavering in the air. But gradually, it grows stronger, more confident. The melody wraps around us like a blanket, a fragile shield against the cold and the fear.

And as I listen, my heart swells with a fierce, protective love. I may not be sure of much right now—not my career, not my future, not even my own identity. But one thing I know with absolute certainty: I will do whatever it takes to keep this precious girl safe.

FIFTEEN

My limbs are numb. The frigid water doesn’t feel as cold, which I know isn’t a good sign. I struggle to keep Chloe’s head above the waves. And my own. Panic threatens to overwhelm me. I force it down. I have to be strong for Chloe.

“Just hold on to me,” I tell her, my voice shaking. “We’re going to be okay.”

Chloe’s little hands cling to my neck, her breath coming in short gasps. I can feel her shivering against me. The poor thing must be terrified.

I look around wildly, trying to get my bearings. I can’t make out the lighthouse anymore. But I think I can make out a dock, similar to Dan’s, there a cruiser moored blocking the view of the house. If we can just make it there…

A sharp crack makes me jump. Chloe’s flailing leg has hit something—the nameplate from the boat.Rebecca. The letters glint accusingly as it bobs on the surface.

“Chloe, grab that!” I shout over the wind. “It’ll help you float!”

Together we lunge for it. I manage to snag a corner and shove it under Chloe’s arm. She grips it like a lifeline.

I’m running out of energy. It doesn’t feel like I have anything left in the tank. I. Must. Press. On.

I will myself to stay calm. One kick at a time. That’s all I can focus on. One kick, then another. Ignore the burning in my muscles. Block out the cold seeping into my bones. Just swim.

Chloe whimpers and I hug her closer to me. “Your dad will find us,” I promise, praying it’s true. “He’ll be looking for us. We just have to make it to shore.”

I squint into the fading light, gauging the distance to the dock. Too far, but we have no choice. Gulping air, I start kicking for land, Chloe a trembling weight against my chest.

Please let us make it,I beg silently.Please. Dan, where are you? We need you. Chloe needs you.

I grit my teeth and keep swimming.

The swell is more violent now. They’re small waves really. But their size is irrelevant. They’re slapping against my face as I struggle to keep my head above water.