Chapter 4

By our tradition, every detail of the lead bridal ship was supposed to be crafted by the bride's parents.

But Chloe burst into tears, saying she had no parents to help build hers.

So, to keep things "fair," I was forced to cut every piece of lumber for my own ship myself. I bound the beams together, carved every detail, and worked until both hands were covered in blisters.

Suddenly, I remembered the photo and message Preston Callahan had sent me earlier that day.

[My parents and I have been getting this ship ready for you for the past eight years.]

The vessel in the picture was unlike anything I'd ever seen.

Julian let out a mocking laugh. "To marry who? Everyone around here knows you're nothing but bad luck. Besides me, who else would ever want you?"

Tears welled in Chloe's eyes. "Audrey, unlike you, I wasn't lucky enough to grow up with my parents. All they ever wanted was to see me get married. Can you please stop making things difficult for me?"

Rage flashed across Ethan's face. "Chloe's parents gave their lives to save us. If it weren't for them, do you really think you'd still be living comfortably as a Holloway?"

Even Natalie looked at me with disappointment. "Audrey, you used to be so kind when we were kids. What happened to you? You've become cruel and selfish. I don't even recognize you anymore."

My breath caught in my throat.

The whole thing was laughable.

Julian's voice was as cold as ice. "Don't cause a scene. I really can't marry you today. Throwing a tantrum isn't going to change anything. Let Chloe use the ship first. You can wait a little longer."

"You've all forgotten one thing. I built that ship with my own hands. My name is carved into it."

Although I hadn't raised my voice, every expression around me changed.

I turned toward Mr. Sterling, standing not far away.

"What do you think your grandfather would do if he found out Chloe stole my ship?"

Everyone knew Mr. Sterling was a stickler for rules. Character meant everything to him. If he learned the truth, today's wedding would be over before it began. Chloe's reputation in this town would be ruined for good.

"You wouldn't dare!" Mom shrieked and slapped me hard across the face. "Audrey! How could you be so heartless? Do you have to humiliate Chloe like this?"

The veins bulged across Dad's forehead. "Go ahead. But if you do, we're done. As far as I'm concerned, you're not my daughter anymore."

The force of the slap snapped my head to the side. My eyes burned as I laughed.

So they'd really forgotten.

Because they never wanted Chloe to feel like the only outsider, they'd always made me wait until after Chloe got married before officially recognizing me as their daughter.

My cheek throbbed as I looked back at them.

"Then from today on, pretend you never had a daughter."

The moment the words left my mouth, I felt lighter than I had in years.

Ethan's face turned dark with fury. "Chloe, we don't need her ship. We had another one built."

He deliberately glanced at me, waiting for me to look devastated.

After all, because of the "bad luck" everyone said I carried, the shipbuilders had always given me a hard time. I'd begged him countless times to step in for me.

"No. She deserves the real thing, not some replacement."

Then, with one hand supporting Chloe, he helped her aboard my bridal ship.

"Chloe deserves the very best this world has to offer."

Julian was the last to leave.

As he passed me, he lowered his voice. "Go home and wait for me. And don't ever say you're going to marry someone else again. I don't like hearing that."

I didn't answer. Instead, I raised the sail.

Every Holloway child grew up knowing how to handle a ship.

Crash!

A flaming torch suddenly slammed into my bridal ship.

"Julian! Have you lost your mind?" I stared at him in disbelief.

"I told you, Audrey. You can't leave me." His eyes were frighteningly dark.

The beautifully decorated ship erupted into flames almost instantly.

"Nobody helps her! Anyone who does is making an enemy of the Sterling family!"

The people who had rushed forward to put out the fire immediately froze.

"Listen to me. Get off the ship and go home. I'll finish the ceremony first."

Without another glance, he walked away.

According to tradition, a couple who wished to stay together forever would each cut off a lock of hair, tie them together, and burn them as a vow of eternal devotion on their wedding day.

Mason laughed as he nudged Julian. "The ceremony's basically over anyway. Why not finish that part too?"

Julian only smiled. He didn't refuse.

Mom and Dad beamed.

"Maybe it's time to give us a grandchild. We've been waiting for one for years."

Ethan deliberately raised his voice, making sure I could hear every word. "Some people are just as ugly on the inside as the scar on their face. Forget getting married—I'd lose my appetite just sitting across the table from her. She can stay with that worthless ship and sink into the sea."

The wind carried their laughter across the water.

Each burst stung worse than the last.

Suddenly, I was exhausted.

I didn't jump overboard or call for help. I simply let the burning ship drift farther and farther away.

As long as it carried me farther from them.

The flames spread across the deck, soon reaching the hem of my wedding dress.

Slowly, I closed my eyes. I thought it was going to hurt.

Instead, a broad, warm embrace wrapped around me, shielding me completely.

"Don't be afraid," a deep voice murmured. "I'm here to take you home."