Chapter 24

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the beach, my friends and I continued to enjoy the remaining hours of our day. We played beach volleyball, built sandcastles, and swam in the crystal-clear waters. But my mind kept wandering back to Shraf.

I caught glimpses of him throughout the day, sitting distantly on his own with a book in hand. His eyes would sometimes linger on me as I played with my friends, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill run through me.

But there was also an undeniable tension between us. I could still feel the heat of Shraf's touch on my skin, the way his fingers traced patterns on my body that left me breathless. Shraf's jealousy had been so palpable it felt like he was declaring his claim on me with his every touch.

As we played in the water, Mark suddenly appeared and lifted me up, throwing me into the ocean with a loud laugh. I splashed around in the water, feeling the coolness of the sea against my skin. But as I emerged from th