Drowned in His Cruelty

My name is Vivian Sue, and I've been married to Henry Deer for three years. That afternoon, sunlight streamed through the villa's floor-to-ceiling windows, glaring off the tiles by the swimming pool. Henry Deer's childhood sweetheart, Sophie River, arrived wearing a white dress. She stood by the pool, chatting with Henry, her smile sweet as if soaked in honey. I carried a fruit platter over, wanting to offer them some fruit. Before I could reach them, I saw Sophie's foot slip and her body fall straight toward the pool. With a splash, water sprayed high into the air. Henry Deer reacted instantly, diving into the swimming pool to pull Sophie River out. Sophie was drenched, her lips turning purple, pointing at me with a tear-choked voice: "Henry, it was Vivian Sue who pushed me. She's always despised me and purposely shoved me down!" I stood frozen, the fruit platter in my hands crashed to the floor, fruit scattering everywhere. Henry Deer spun around abruptly, the warmth in his eyes evaporating instantly, replaced by a biting coldness and rage. He strode quickly toward me and grabbed my wrist with a grip so strong it felt like he wanted to crush my bones. "Vivian Sue, why did you push her?" His voice was low, simmering with barely restrained anger. I shook my head desperately, tears flooding out all at once: "It's not me, Henry, I didn't push her—she slipped by herself!" "How dare you still lie!" Henry Deer didn't believe a word I said, dragging me toward the swimming pool. I struggled fiercely, my feet scraping raw against the ground, but his strength was overwhelming—I couldn't break free. At the edge of the swimming pool, he shoved me hard, and I lost my balance, half my body plunging into the icy water. Then, he pressed both hands against the back of my head, forcing my face underwater. The freezing water instantly flooded my mouth and nose, suffocating me as if an invisible hand was tightening around my throat. I felt the water pour into my ears, nose, and mouth; my consciousness began to blur. I thrashed wildly, desperate to scream for help, but Henry Deer's grip was like iron tongs, unmoving. I don't know how long passed before he finally let go. I collapsed by the swimming pool, gasping for breath, my head ringing, everything fading to black, waves of nausea crashing over me. I knew my brain must have been injured because my consciousness felt shrouded in a hazy fog, unclear and distant. Henry Deer crouched beside me, his eyes devoid of any pity, only disgust: "Vivian Sue, kneel and apologize to Sophie." I lifted my head and met his cold eyes, my heart aching like it was being pierced by needles. "I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?" I summoned all my strength to say those words. "Not apologizing, huh?" Henry Deer sneered coldly, "Then just wait. I won't let you off." After saying that, he turned away to attend to Sophie River, leaving me alone by the cold swimming pool. In the days that followed, I began to feel strange. Sometimes, I would suddenly forget what I was supposed to do; Sometimes, when people spoke to me, it would take me a while to grasp what they meant. I knew it was because of the oxygen deprivation that had damaged my brain that day. But when Henry saw me like this, he didn't feel an ounce of pity; instead, he grew even angrier. "Vivian Sue, stop pretending to be crazy and foolish here!" He pointed at me, his tone harsh and bitter. "Do you think I'll just forgive you for pushing Sophie? Let me tell you, that will never happen!" I wanted to explain, but the words caught in my throat; I didn't know how to say them, my mind swirling in chaos.