Evan blinks slowly and looks out the window again. The rain falls noisily against the sides of the jet, and the sound makes the pounding in his head even worse. It's pitch black outside.

"The weather is terrible," Robert says. "That's why it looks so dark. Now, you have to rest if you're going to recover. Please lie back down and try to sleep."

Robert firmly pushes Evan's shoulder, forcing him to lie back down. Normally, he's strong enough to fight Robert, but he collapses against the pillows almost instantly. The smooth, luxurious cotton of the pillowcase feels scratchy and rough against his cheek. Everything hurts unbearably.

"Let me see the clock," Evan orders.

Evan can't be sure, but it looks like Robert winks at the bodyguards before saying, "Bring Mr. Howel the clock."

The bodyguard pulls the clock off the cabin wall and carries it over to Evan. The light clock is heavy as lead weight in his hand. It takes a minute before Evan's eyes adjust to see the face—the numbers seem to blur and swirl together. Finally, he sees that the hands point to 3 o'clock. Evan breathes a sigh of relief and lets the clock fall to the floor.

"Set an alarm for 7 o'clock, and make sure I wake up," Evan says.

"Of course, Mr. Howel," Robert answers without meeting Evan's eye.

"No wait, one clock isn't enough," Evan says, feeling anxiety rise in his chest. "What if we don't hear it? I can't miss my date with Avery."

"Mr. Howel, when it's time, I'll wake you up," Robert says.

"No, set ten alarms," Evan says. "Do you hear me? Ten!"

Robert and the bodyguards exchange worried glances, and Evan wants to scream at them. I'm fine, he thinks. They're looking at me like I'm crazy, but I'm fine. The room spins, and a dull ringing starts in his ears. Evan closes his eyes and tries to sink into the quiet blackness.

Robert's voice seems to come from very far away, "I promise to wake you up on time, Mr. Howel."

"If I don't wake up at first, do whatever it takes," Evan whispers. "You can beat me if you won't—just make sure I wake up for Avery."

Evan wakes to something cold and wet on his forehead. Slowly, he forces his eyes open, but the dim overhead lights seem to pierce his skull. Robert is bent over him, wiping his forehead with a washcloth. The damp cloth feels icy against Evan's burning skin.

"Sir, your fever is still dangerously high," Robert says. "I just checked your temperature, and it's still 41 degrees centigrade. If it doesn't break soon, we'll have to take you to a hospital. The doctor said you could suffer severe organ damage or even die if it continues."

"I'm fine," Evan whispers. "Get that cloth off me and help me get ready to meet Avery."

"Mr. Howel, don't worry about her right now," Robert says. "You need to focus on healing. As soon as you're better, Avery will be ready and waiting for you. But you can't go out in this storm—you'll die."

Evan opens his mouth to protest and tries to sit up, but Robert holds him down and continues wiping his forehead. Evan struggles and squirms, but every movement hurts. Finally, he lies still.

"Very good, sir," Robert says. "Just think, if anything happened to you, who would protect Avery? Looking after your health is just as important for her as it is for you."

Evan slowly relaxes. Robert is right, he thinks. I have to stay strong for her. She needs me, and I can't fail her. He closes his eyes and imagines the island with all lanterns, candles, and flowers. In his head, he sees Avery standing in the center of the carousel, her large eyes shining in all the light. He imagines keeling down and kissing her finger before sliding the ring on. Suddenly he opens his eyes and glares at Robert.

"Have you ironed my suit?" Evan asks, but the words sound strange and slurred come out of his mouth.

Robert squints as if he can't understand, and Evan repeats the question. Robert tilts his head to the side and then understanding dawns on his face. He nods.

"What about my shoes?" Evan asks.

"They've been polished," Robert answers. "Don't worry—everything is ready. Just sleep and recover."

Evan tries to say something, but no sound comes from his lips. He tries again, but it's exhausting. He sighs and closes his eyes, drifting into a strange, fever dream. When he opens his eyes, it's light outside, and the rain has stopped. His body hurts, but he feels a bit stronger.

"What the hell happened?" he shouts. "You let me sleep through my date! What time is it?"

"It's six in the morning," Robert says.

"I'll have your head, Robert," Evan screams.

"Sir, please listen to me, I didn't have a choice," Robert says. "By the time the jet landed in the storm, it was already too late for you to meet her. The doctor warned us against upsetting you, so we lied and pretended it was earlier than it was. Please, sir, we did it for your own health."

"Fuck you," Evan says. "Where's Avery now? Is she upset that I missed our date?"

"Do you remember anything from before?" Robert asks, shuffling his feet nervously.

Evan shakes his head.

"Well, sir, it seems she left the island and returned to the marina where she got into Andrew Clifford's car," Robert says. "Our men haven't seen her since."

"When was that?" Evan asks.

"Last night," Robert answers.

"Find her at once," Evan screams. "I swear to God, I'm going to kill Andrew."

Slowly and painfully, Evan swings his legs over the side of the bed. He stands and immediately collapses back onto the bed—his head feels light, and everything spins. He tries again, gripping the side of the bed for support. With Robert's help, he gets dressed in a three-piece suit and shiny black shoes. Then he gets in a car and drives to the marina.

The boat ride out to the island is choppy, and the wind blows sea mist onto the deck. Robert tries to shield Evan with an umbrella, but the gusty wind turns it inside out. Evan squints at the island, looking for any trace of Avery.

"Sir, I think it's better if you wait inside," Robert says. "It's not healthy for you to be out in weather like this. Besides, Avery isn't on the island right now."

Evan glares at Robert, and the butler stumbles backward. A strong puff of wind tears the umbrella from Robert's hands, and it blows away over the sea. As soon as the yacht drops anchor, Evan climbs down the ramp onto the island's wooden dock. He rushes across the beach and through the forest to the carousel and gazebo.

The storm has soaked the lanterns, and they hang wet and limp from the trees. The flower petals lining the ground are stained with mud, and the fairy lights have been torn from the tree branches. In the clearing, the carousel still spins, but the music sounds melancholy and heartbroken.

"Mr. Howel, why don't we wait on the boat," Robert says.

"No, she'll come back here," Evan says. "I know she will. Give me the binoculars."

Robert slowly passes Evan a pair of binoculars, and Evan climbs to the roof of the gazebo. Normally, it would be easy for him to pull himself up, but his arms and legs shake with exhaustion. Standing on the top, he can see above the trees and across the bay to the marina.

After a while, Robert climbs up to the roof and says, "Please, sir, let me do it."

"Fuck off!" Evan snaps. "And get me some better binoculars."

The wind whips his hair and his suit, but Evan stays on top of the gazebo, staring through the binoculars. Finally, he sees a Bugatti pulled into the marina parking lot. He squinted, trying to see the driver, but the tinted windows make it impossible. The passenger door opens, and Avery steps out.

She's wearing a champagne-colored dress. Though it's slightly wet and wrinkled, she looks stunning. Evan feels his heart thud nervously in his chest. Then Andrew gets out and crosses in front of the car to meet her. He takes her arm and whispers something into her ear. He opens his palm and offers her something small and silver.

Evan adjusts the magnification and sees the world's smallest gun lying in Andrew's palm. It looks exactly like the gun he once gave her—even the markings on the barrel are the same. Evan grinds his teeth and wonders why Andrew is giving Avery a gun. Avery says she has nothing to do with Andrew, but why does she end up with him every time I leave her alone? Evan thinks.

Avery takes the gun, and Andrew gets back into the car. Within seconds the car peels out of the parking lot and speeds down the road. A Howel servant runs up to Avery and points across the bay toward the island. Avery looks across the water and begins to walk toward a waiting boat.

Evan climbs off the gazebo roof and anxiously waits for her in front of the carousel. The next twenty minutes feel like hours. He asks Robert to wipe the mud off his shoes, and he nervously straightens his tie. When Avery breaks into the clearing, he gasps.

Her skin glows in the golden sunlight, and her eyes look brighter than the diamonds on her necklace. Her face is bare, and her hair falls in loose, almost messy waves across her bare shoulders. She slowly walks across the clearing, but her expression remains unreadable. As she gets closer, Evan sees circles under her eyes. Is she unwell? He wonders.

"Everyone, get lost," Avery orders. "I'd like some privacy."

She stops three feet away and takes a deep breath. She raises her chin defiantly, and Evan slips his hand into his pocket to double-check for the ring. The feel of the velvet box reassures him. He stepped toward her and wrapped her in his arms. Her entire body goes stiff, and she freezes.

"Get off me," she says.

He slowly inhales the smell of her hair and then reluctantly takes a step back. She has every right to be angry, he thinks. I promised things would be different, and then I stood her up last night. Who knows how long she waited out here, worrying about me.

"I know why you're angry at me," he says. "And I swear, I had a good reason for doing it."

"Do you really know why?" Avery asks raising her eyebrows. "I can't imagine any reason good enough for what you did."

"I was ill," Evan says. "Robert tells me I was on the verge of death. My plane was forced to make an emergency landing because of the storm, and then I wasn't strong enough to meet you."

Evan puts his hands on her cheeks and enjoys the feeling of her soft, warm skin. She jerks her head away, and her eyes flash with anger. She takes a step backward and holds her hand out to stop him from getting any closer.

"I doubt you would have died," she says. "Evil people have a way of living far too long."

Evan wrinkles his forehead. He knows she's angry that he stood her up, but calling him evil seems a bit strong. He lifts his hands apologetically and tries to reach for her arm. She steps away from him again.

"The servants told me that you waited for me for hours last night," Evan says. "I'm so sorry I made you wait, Avery. You deserved so much better than that. Please tell me how I can make it up to you?"

"You can make it up to me with your life," she said coldly.

"Whatever my lady commands," Evan says lightly. "But I'll only die for my legal wife."

Avery scowls—and Evan feels his heart beats wildly. Even when she's angry, she's lovelier than any woman he's ever seen. He slowly sinks onto one knee and looks up at her proud and angry face.

"Marry me, Avery, and I'll happily give you the right to kill me," he says.