It was 9pm Maldives time when the bell ushering in the Oskian New Year was struck.

Outside, fireworks were erupting high up in the air over the cove, as Bernard had spared no expense buying a ton of fireworks to liven up the atmosphere.

Myriad colored sparks were fired from the beach, high up to the clouds, before erupting into a thousand more dazzling sparks. It was especially mesmerizing, with the crystalline gleam of the horizon reflecting them ever so gorgeously.

Claire watched them blow