Chapter 2

The only people I told about leaving were my parents.

I expected a lecture. Instead, they both supported me.

"Nova, go do whatever you want to do. And remember, you can always count on us."

After that call, I felt calm.

I looked around the place, then went to the bedroom and started packing.

The house wasn't mine. Charles had bought it after he made captain.

He said he wanted to give me a real home.

I was so happy I spent every dollar I had furnishing it.

He didn't like anything I picked. He replaced it all with Mediterranean-style decor and even had our bedroom walls painted pink.

I asked him why he'd chosen that color. He lay on the bed with a somber look in his eyes.

"I want you to stay a young girl forever."

It wasn't until I saw what Vivian was wearing in those photos that I understood.

Pink was her favorite. The Mediterranean decor was about the two of them, too.

I was packing my suitcase when I looked up and saw our wedding photo on the wall.

I'd been beaming that day, but Charles's expression had been tense and unsmiling.

The photographer had to remind him several times, "Sir, you have to smile. You can't look this serious in a wedding photo."

Charles tried to cooperate, but the best he could manage was a stiff smile.

I covered for him.

"He's a captain. This is just how he is."

Only after I found those other photos did I understand. A job doesn't change who someone is.

He hadn't been able to smile that day. Maybe the problem was who stood next to him.

I took the photo off the wall and cut my half out of it.

I used to believe the Moon Goddess had destined us for each other, that ours was the deepest bond.

Now I finally understood. She had given us a mate bond, not love.

My phone chimed with a WhatsApp message from Charles.

"Made it to the hotel. About to turn in. Did you eat?"

I sent back a single word. "Yeah."

The old me would have asked for photos of the hotel and descriptions of the city and scenery around him. I'd wanted to know everything about his life. Even if I couldn't go with him, I'd wanted to feel as though we'd seen those places together.

Ten minutes later, another message came in, this one about the hotel.

"This place is nice. Dinner's a buffet. They have that cod you like."

I didn't answer. He sent another one.

"It's pretty cold here. Did you pack any extra clothes for me?"

Again, I answered with one word.

"No."

It hit me then. When you stop caring about someone, your replies really do get that short. Just like his replies to me had always been.

The funny part was that today he had plenty to say.

I had a new notification on Instagram.

I opened it. Vivian had posted.

Her nighttime photo of the water showed a brightly lit hotel nearby. It was the same hotel Charles had just messaged me about.

The caption said:

"Moonlight on the harbor, me in your arms. This moment is ours, my darling captain."

People had liked the post.

Then I saw her reply.

"Thank you all for the love."

I could feel how happy she was right through the screen.

It just wasn't my happiness.

I locked the screen and closed my eyes. A wave of happiness washed over me.

It wasn't mine. It was his, flowing through the mate bond.

I used to be so stupid about it. Every time I felt that, I told myself he just loved his work, loved the ocean.

I was actually thrilled that I got to feel what he felt.

It never occurred to me that I only ever felt it when he was away from me, out on the water.

Or that another woman was the one making him happy.

A few mornings later, Charles pushed open the bedroom door, bringing the cold in with him.

I opened my eyes. He pressed a quick, half-hearted kiss to my forehead and handed me a fancy gift bag.

"A present for you."

The old me would have been moved to tears. Now I just glanced at it without interest.

"How much did it cost?"

He rubbed his nose, looking guilty.

"Not much. I'm no good at picking these things. I don't know if you'll even like the pin."

I pushed the bag a little farther away.

"I don't want the freebie that came with Vivian's necklace."

Charles's expression turned cold.

"What do you know?"

I picked up my phone and waved it at him.

"I saw her post."

His expression relaxed.

"I thought the pin would suit you, so I asked her for it. And now it's not good enough for you?"

I looked him straight in the eye.

"It was a free gift with someone else's purchase. Why should I want it? Or do you think I only deserve things other people don't want?"

"That's enough, Nova!"

Charles's voice rose.

"What are you throwing a fit about?

"You used to complain that I never brought you anything. Now I bring you something and you're still unhappy. What do you actually want from me?

"I'm exhausted. I don't have the energy to sweet-talk you right now!"

I nodded.

"Then go sweet-talk someone else. I don't need it."

I pointed at the door.

"I'm going to sleep. Please get out."