Chapter 1: Drowned Dreams and Family Schemes

The morning I was supposed to meet my fiancé, I managed to tumble headfirst into the lake at Maple Heights Country Club.

The water hit me like a shock, freezing cold even with the sun blazing overhead. As I plunged under, I caught a quick glimpse of blue sky and puffy clouds before everything turned dark and icy. I remember the echo of frantic shouts from the perfectly manicured lawn, the far-off clink of glasses from the clubhouse, and then—suddenly—a pair of strong arms yanking me up, sputtering and gasping, into the blinding afternoon light. My dress was plastered to my skin, heavy as regret. I barely managed a breath as I was dragged up onto the dock, coughing up lake water and humiliation in equal measure. For a split second, I thought, This cannot be happening.

After I was hauled out and still dripping, Grandma Carol—the family matriarch—didn’t waste a second. She decided to pick my fiancé right then and there. I couldn’t even process what had just happened before she was already taking charge.

She bustled over, pearls swinging, her voice sharp as ever. “Well, that’s settled!” she declared, her eyes fierce behind her cat-eye glasses. “No sense waiting for another disaster. We’ll pick your fiancé today. Lord knows this town could use a little excitement.” She clapped her hands, summoning the family like she was calling a family meeting. My cheeks burned, my hair stuck to my face, and all I wanted was to disappear behind the nearest bush. But when Grandma Carol got an idea in her head, not even a tornado could stop her.

When they asked who had saved me, I looked between the Army captain and the valedictorian—both soaked to the bone—and felt completely lost.

The captain’s uniform was drenched, the medals on his chest glinting in the stray sunlight. The valedictorian’s glasses were fogged, his hair matted to his forehead. Both looked as miserable as I felt, water pooling at their feet on the polished wood of the dock. I could feel the eyes of all Maple Heights glued to me, waiting for my answer. My heart thudded so hard in my chest I was sure it echoed across the water.

The captain noticed my hesitation and turned his head away, jaw set in that stubborn way I remembered so well.

His profile was all hard lines and silent tension. I remembered that look from years ago—always the type to take the blame, always keeping his feelings locked away. Even now, his hands curled into fists at his sides, refusing to meet my gaze. I could practically feel the storm brewing inside him, like he was bracing for something only he could see.

Just as I hesitated, a stream of glowing words scrolled past my vision, like a TikTok overlay only I could see.

They hovered there, bright and insistent. I blinked, trying to shake them away, but they pulsed in the corner of my vision, refusing to leave. Was I losing it? Or was this just what stress looked like now?

[Please, side character—pick the captain. He’s about to snap.]

[The main guy already has someone else in his heart. Fighting the heroine for a man never ends well.]

[Just say the word, and the captain will be your most loyal puppy.]

I paused, my hand drifting left almost on its own.

My fingers trembled and my pulse hammered in my ears. I didn’t know if I was following the advice of those floating words or just finally letting go of something I’d been denying for too long. Either way, my hand moved before my brain caught up.

“It was... the captain who saved me.”