The bodyguard received a reply shortly after: {Keep watch.} Seeing this reply, he returned his phone to his pocket.
After the small accident, Mika told her they could end the lesson.
Loretta stepped out of the water and went over to the restroom to change into dry clothes.
When she returned, the bodyguard handed her a bottle of water. She took it, already getting used to him taking care of the small details. Only when she took a sip did she realize the water was warm.
She looked at the bodyguard with raised brows.
"You are just recovering from a cold. The wind here is strong," he said. He knew she was coming to the resort, so he researched and prepared a few things ahead.
The couple, seeing that Loretta and the guide were out of the water, also stopped swimming.
They got changed, and soon the group continued to go up.
The road was no longer stable, and every step had to be taken carefully.
Although steps were built by the government, wanting to keep the place as natural as possible, these stairs were made from rocks, and because it was a waterfall, they were a bit slippery.
Mika led the way, telling them what they should be careful of. The climb up to the fifth level was long and tiring.
Loretta suddenly realized why many did not get to the seventh level, but she had heard it was magical, so she was determined to get there.
So after only a short rest, the group continued. The man supported his wife, seeing she was tired.
Loretta was also tired, but used to having no one to care for her, she continued to climb. Mika, noticing she was tired, took the initiative to support her.
"I am fine," Loretta tried to pull away.
"You are tired. If you don't let me support you, you might not get to the sixth level, talk less of the seventh," Mika said.
Loretta stopped struggling. After all, she was truly tired.
The bodyguard looked at the two but did not take another picture, just adjusted the bag he was carrying.
By the time they reached the seventh level, the air had changed.
It was cooler. Quieter.
The sound of the waterfall surrounded them. Water fell from above in clear streams, breaking against the rocks below and spreading into a wide, calm pool. A light mist hung in the air, soft against the skin.
The view stretched far—green hills, open sky, sunlight reflecting off the water like scattered glass.
It felt… peaceful, almost unreal.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then the man let out a breath. "We made it." His wife had a small smile but was too tired to speak.
Mika gave a small nod. "This is the highest open level."
Loretta looked around slowly.
So this was what people talked about.
She didn't regret coming—not even with every part of her body aching.
They found a flat area not too far from the water and settled down.
Simple food.
Light conversation.
The couple sat close together, sharing and offering Loretta what they had.
Not wanting to be too distant, she accepted and also shared. She had no close friends because of her mother's attitude. Her position in the family had always been awkward. Not wanting to be embarrassed every time she brought a friend home, she kept everyone at arm's length.
When she finally got an apartment of her own, she was already used to being alone and did not know how to make friends.
After eating and resting a little, they moved closer to the water.
This part of the pool was marked safe, though the current nearby was stronger. A warning sign stood not too far away.
No swimming. Only light play.
The couple stayed together, taking pictures and laughing.
Loretta walked toward another side, where the water touched the rocks more gently.
She crouched slightly, reaching out.
The water was cold and clear.
Her fingers moved through it slowly.
Mika took charge of taking pictures for her. Loretta felt very happy in that moment. She got to her feet, intending to take more pictures, but then—
A sharp sound echoed under her feet.
Crack.
The stone beneath her foot shifted.
Loretta's balance broke instantly.
Her body tilted forward.
Her heart jumped.
For a split second, her mind went blank.
Then one thought hit her. Could the curse really be that potent?
Two figures moved at the same time—fast and sharp.
The bodyguard reached her first.
His hand caught her arm firmly, pulling her back before she could fall forward completely.
Loretta gasped, her breath uneven.
Her body still shaking.
"Ma, are you okay?" the bodyguard asked, seeing that she was shaking.
"I…" Loretta was about to say she was fine, but—
Before she could finish, her foot slipped again.
Her attempt to steady herself failed, and—
She fell straight into someone.
Mika.
His arms came up on instinct, catching her.
They froze.
For a brief second.
Loretta blinked, her breath still uneven.
Her hand pressed lightly against his chest.
Then she quickly pulled back.
"I'm sorry—"
Her voice was low, still shaken.
Mika released her just as fast.
"Are you okay?" Mika asked.
Loretta steadied herself and nodded.
Mika looked at her. "You have a scratch," he said, noticing the small bloodstain on her foot.
Loretta looked down. Only now did she feel the slight pain.
"You need to be careful. I will go get the first aid kit," he said, walking away.
Apart from their group, there were five other people—two staff members and tourists.
A few steps away, the bodyguard stood still, watching in silence.
His gaze moved from Loretta…
To Mika.
He felt that her second fall was strange.
"Since you are injured, I will help you to the mat," he said.
The couple also came over to check on her.
Mika returned with the first aid kit. He wanted to treat her, but the bodyguard took the kit from him.
"I will do it." His tone left no room for negotiation.
Mika looked at the man. He had heard him call Loretta "ma." He figured she might be some rich lady out playing, but he did not understand why the man seemed not to like him.
The bodyguard helped clean the injury and applied medicine.
His movements looked a bit professional.
Loretta did not notice the exchange between the two men. Her mind was still on what had just happened.
She wondered if she would have died if the bodyguard had been slower. For the first time, she appreciated bringing him along.
After the accident, Loretta did not go close to the pool again. Although she tried to smile, the incident made her scared.
The bodyguard placed a light jacket over her shoulders.
"The wind is stronger here," he said.
Loretta didn't refuse.
The couple looked at Loretta. Like Mika, they guessed she was from a wealthy family but said nothing and returned to their spot.
The woman scrolled through her phone, her expression shifting.
"…This is terrible," she murmured.
"What?" her husband asked.
She turned the screen toward him.
"It's everywhere now. The Gladstone family… they're pushing their adopted daughter into a marriage for money."
The man frowned. "Are you sure it's true?"
"It has to be true, right?" she said. "Look at this… she almost died, and they went on vacation?"
She shook her head.
"Some people really shouldn't be parents."
Loretta, sitting a short distance away, lowered her gaze slightly. Her fingers tightened around the edge of her sleeve.
"This Loretta Gladstone is really pitiful," the woman sighed.
"Those wealthy families—one should never envy them," she added.
Hearing those words, Loretta felt a bit awkward. After all, this was her family gossip.
"Miss, you look a lot like the Gladstone adopted daughter," the woman said, still checking the news as she suddenly found Loretta's photos.
She raised her head to look at Loretta.
"This…"
She realized it was not just a resemblance. It was the same person.