My Beloved Has Risen from Death’s Embrace

Isabella stomped her foot on the ground in frustration, utterly infuriated by the result.

Why? Why despite giving it her all, she still couldn’t win over Xanthea? It had always been this way, and it seemed like it would always be. Or had she made a mistake in even trying to compete with her in the first place?

“Ah.”

Exhausted, Xanthea lay sprawled on the artificial turf, squinting under the glaring sun, and sighed in relief.

That was exhausting. Winning had never been so tough!

How much must Isabella resent her to be so relentless? Thankfully, a firm belief had always sustained her.

As she pondered, that “belief” approached–a tall, imposing figure casting a shadow over her, blocking the sun.

He was truly more radiant than the sun itself. Was he a reincarnation of Apollo perhaps?

Orion bent down, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

Xanthea meant to protest about showing such affections in front of the cameras, but she couldn’t resist his focused, intense gaze, and found herself drowning in his tenderness.

Orion gently dabbed the sparkling sweat from her flushed cheeks, his deep eyes brimming with compassion and a fervent desire to pull her into his arms and kiss her until they were both breathless.

“Mr. Lockwood, I won!”

“Yes, you’re the best,”

“I’m sorry I didn’t trust you at first, I was wrong.” Guilt welled up in Xanthea’s eyes, “If I get another chance, I’ll definitely choose you!”

Orion paused.

Against the sunlight, Xanthea couldn’t see his expression clearly, but she sensed a passionate, profound emotion she couldn’t fully comprehend.

He removed his microphone and said, “Xan, no matter how many times you choose wrongly, I’ll patiently wait for you to correct your

answer.”

Xanthea was stunned.

Why did he sound so serious, as if they weren’t talking about the same thing?

After a full day of training, assessments, and games, the guests were utterly exhausted, parched, and famished as the sun set.

“I’m dead beat. No more games, I can’t bear it.” Nelson lay motionless on the ground while Rachel rubbed her empty stomach and sighed, “Me too, I’m so tired, hungry, and thirsty. I feel like I could faint any moment.”

“Please, if I don’t eat or drink something soon, I’m going to die!”

Martin pleaded with the production team, and both Isabella and Olivia felt too hungry and thirsty to even argue with Xanthea anymore. Xanthea hadn’t felt much before, but the intense physical exertion from the tag–tearing battle with Isabella left her desperately thirsty as well.

The show director announced, “Everyone has worked hard today. The game part is now over, and you’re free to look for food, water, and rest. Of course, the cameras will continue to follow you!”

“Finally, it’s over!” Nelson sat up abruptly, “But this is the middle of nowhere, where are we supposed to find food and water?”

“You can use any resources you find on the island.”

Rachel chimed in, “I’ve seen past episodes where guests collected dew, spring water, or hunted wild chickens and rabbits for food, but this looks like a deserted island with nothing in sight!” ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Xanthea pointed towards the distance, “There seems to be a river ahead, that’s our best shot.”