When The Water Rose Above My Head Novel by Temperance Rodgers _ Novel



When The Water Rose Above My Head Novel by Temperance Rodgers _ Novel

When The Water Rose Above My Head Chapter 01

My husband pulled out his cigarettes and walked to the balcony.
The lighter clicked several times before the flame finally caught.
Just then, his phone rang. The ringtone was a soft piano melody—the one he'd set specifically for McKenzie.
He immediately answered. "Mackie."
"Cass, it hurts my heart every time I see you."
Her voice trembled with the perfect trace of a sob.
"You were supposed to shine like diamonds. But now, you're trapped in a living hell.
"Having a child like that and a wife who you don't love—anyone else would've collapsed long ago.
"Life's been too cruel to you. You deserve pure love, a peaceful life, and a real home with someone who understands you—someone who can truly be your comfort."
Silence stretched on.
When the wind nearly blew out his cigarette, Caspian finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "Yeah... If only I had married you instead."
I couldn't help thinking—what was I to him?
A burden bound to him by an old favor? A chain forged by a child? Or a failure who couldn't even control her own emotions?
Six years ago, Dad had shielded Caspian from an attacker, giving his own life to save his. On his deathbed, he asked Caspian to look after me.
After the funeral, Caspian came to me.
He was holding a photo of himself with McKenzie. He tore it to pieces right in front of me.
"Rosie," he said, his eyes terrifyingly red.
"I have to marry you."
I refused.
But he kept coming back, kneeling before me—in my living room, in the hallway, even outside my office building.
"Rosie, every time I close my eyes, I see your father's blood," he'd say, rain or tears streaming down his face.
"He died for me. I owe him my life.
"If you don't let me make this right, I might as well be dead too. I'll rot from the guilt, forever."
I looked at his trembling shoulders and, for reasons I still didn't understand, nodded.
I lifted the glass and sipped the cold water.
It slid down my throat, spreading a chill that seeped into the hollow inside me.
Early the next morning, the door opened.
McKenzie stood there, framed by the light.
"Rosalie," she said crisply.
"I know you're in pain. But Cass is suffering more.
"Even if you can't stand in his shoes, at least stop being his burden, okay?
"I'm begging you. Can you just ... try to hold yourself together?
"If you keep this up, you're going to break him."
I studied her for a long moment before answering. "Ms. Grant."
My voice was hoarse yet steady.
"Our family matters are not your concern."
I moved to close the door.
"Please leave."
My hand had just touched the doorframe when she gasped.
"Ah!"
She stumbled back, clutching her hand, her eyes instantly welling up.
Caspian's face darkened at once.
He dashed over, grabbed my arm, and shoved me away from the door.
I slammed into the wall with a thud.
"Rosalie!" he barked, his eyes blazing with anger and deep disappointment.
"Is this what you want? To make everyone as miserable as you are?"
"Cass, please," McKenzie said, her voice trembling as she fought back tears. "Don't blame Rosalie. I stumbled..."
"Don't defend her. I know what she's like."
Caspian shut his eyes.
When he opened them again, there was nothing left inside but utter exhaustion.
"Do you know Mackie spent three months taking special education classes just to help you take care of Mal? Today, she even took leave to take Mal to the sensory park for therapy!"
McKenzie chose that moment to crouch down and extend her hand to Malcolm with a bright smile. "Come with me to somewhere fun, okay?"
A sharp pain stabbed my chest. Without thinking, I stepped between them.
Malcolm feared strangers and hated being touched. Sudden changes could easily overwhelm him.
Even kindness from someone unfamiliar could trigger him.
Yet his small hand lifted—slipping past me—and gently caught the hem of McKenzie's dress.
"Okay.
"Thanks, Mackie."

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