Alex White was getting way too close to Emily Blair. Isabella Austin watched, her jaw clenched so tightly it hurt, but she didn't dare let it show.

There was no way Alex would ever tell Isabella what he was really up to.

In Alex's eyes, someone as pure as Isabella shouldn't have to deal with these messy situations or the kind of people involved. That was his job—to clear the path for her.

He flashed an easy, careless grin. "Relax, we're all friends here. Just having a little fun."

Isabella's own smile froze awkwardly. "Really? Well, have fun then."

Emily didn't even look back, already striding away, ignoring the voices behind her.

But Isabella caught the real meaning behind Alex's words. She'd grown up with him —she knew every one of his moods, could read his intentions as easily as reading her own.

His eyes told her everything: whatever he was planning, he was going to do it, and he hadn't told her only because he still thought she was too innocent to play along.

Isabella wasn't about to call him out. In fact, she was perfectly willing to lend a hand.

She drifted over to the edge of the pool just as Emily passed by.

Without warning, Isabella reached out and grabbed Emily's wrist.

Her voice was gentle, almost sweet. "Emily, don't go yet, okay? Why not stick around and have some fun with us?"

But there was nothing generous about Isabella's invitation.

A sudden wariness flashed through Emily's mind. She shook her head, blunt and firm. "No."

She tried to twist her wrist free, but Isabella's grip was vice-like, her nails digging into Emily's skin.

Emily's brow furrowed, suspicion growing, and Lydia Brooks-watching from across the patio-tensed as well.

Emily looked up, meeting Isabella's soft, glowing eyes. Isabella smiled, and in that instant, every alarm bell in Emily's head went off.

Emily's instincts screamed at her. She grabbed Isabella's hand, trying to pry her fingers off one by one.

Isabella suddenly frowned. "Emily, don't do that."

Emily's heart skipped a beat.

The next second, Isabella flashed a triumphant smile.

Then Isabella let out a sharp yelp, grabbing at Emily's hand to stop her from pulling away. Her body swayed, teetering at the edge, as if she'd lost her balance.

Emily's eyes widened, her pulse quickening.

She watched, helpless, as Isabella toppled into the pool despite the fact that Emily hadn't used any real force at all.

Splash-

The moment Isabella hit the water, a wave crashed over the edge, swallowing her completely. Her scream was instantly muffled beneath the surface.

Emily didn't even have time to react.

Isabella was still clutching her wrist.

Isabella was an adult-there was no way Emily could hold her up, especially not when Isabella was deliberately yanking her down.

The world spun. Emily caught a glimpse of Andrew Lane's face, dark and thunderous, before she squeezed her eyes shut and felt herself falling.

The instant she hit the water, her heart seemed to stop, blood freezing in her veins.

She plunged under. Water exploded around her, roaring in her ears, blurring her sight into a mess of white and blue. The pool closed over her head like a monster, crushing the breath from her lungs.

Bubbles spilled from her parted lips, floating to the surface as she sank deeper.