The Villianess's Redemption (HYUNJIN ff) ✓

19.Beneath the Surface

Chapter 19: Beneath the Surface
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Hyunjin's POV

The moment Isabella tumbled over the edge of the yacht and plunged into the water, time seemed to slow down. A jolt of panic shot through me, freezing me in place for just a split second before I sprang into action. Without thinking, I sprinted to the edge and dove in after her, the cold water enveloping me as I cut through the waves.

The water was dark, murky, and disorienting. I could barely see more than a few feet in front of me, but I knew I had to find her. Isabella's fall had been sudden, and she wasn't a strong swimmer. My heart hammered in my chest as I frantically searched the depths for any sign of her, my lungs burning as I fought against the rising tide of fear.

And then, through the gloom, I saw her-a pale figure sinking deeper into the water, her movements sluggish as she began to lose consciousness. I kicked harder, pushing myself to reach her, my arms stretching out desperately. When my hand finally closed around hers, I felt a surge of relief, but it was short-lived. She wasn't responding.

I pulled her close, wrapping my arm around her waist as I began the arduous swim back to the surface. The weight of her body, combined with the cold, made every stroke feel like a battle, but I couldn't let go. I wouldn't let go.

As we broke through the surface, I gasped for air, pulling her lifeless form onto the nearest dock, which was thankfully not far from where we had started our ride. My hands shook as I laid her down on the wooden planks, her face pale and still, her lips tinged with blue.

"Isabella!" I shouted, my voice hoarse with panic. "Come on, wake up!"

I quickly checked her pulse and, finding it weak, began performing CPR, pressing down on her chest with all the strength I could muster. I couldn't lose her. Not like this. Not when she had been through so much already.

When she didn't respond, I hesitated for a moment before leaning down to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The sensation of her cold lips against mine was a far cry from the warmth we had shared the previous night, and the fear of losing her only made the memory of that kiss more painful.

"Please, Isabella," I whispered between breaths. "You have to wake up."

After what felt like an eternity, I saw a faint flutter of her eyelids. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air, and a weak cough escaped her lips. Relief flooded through me so intensely that I nearly collapsed beside her, but I held it together, knowing that she still needed help.

I quickly lifted her into my arms, cradling her close as I sprinted toward the nearest guest room in the estate. As I ran, I shouted for the maids, my voice ringing with urgency.

"Someone get the doctor, now!" I commanded. "And bring a change of clothes for her!"

A few minutes later

The he doctor arrived and immediately went to work, checking Isabella's vitals and ensuring she was stable. I stood off to the side, my heart still racing, my clothes dripping with water as I watched the scene unfold.

"It was close," the doctor said after a tense few moments, turning to face me. "But she's stable now. You saved her just in time."

The tension in my chest eased slightly, but it didn't completely dissipate. "When will she wake up?" I asked, my voice strained.

The doctor smiled reassuringly. "She should wake up soon. She'll be weak, but she's going to be alright."

I nodded, the relief washing over me like a wave. "Thank you."