Chapter 4

Charles didn't come home that night.

He turned up at noon the next day, wearing a different shirt from the one he'd left in.

Wherever he'd slept, he had clothes there.

His eyes were dark and menacing as he slammed the door.

"Nova, that was classless."

I kept eating my pasta and didn't answer. He came over and slammed a hand down on the table.

"I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me?

"What is wrong with you? You cook for yourself now, like I'm not even here."

I glanced up at him.

"You weren't home. Who was I supposed to cook for?"

That shut him up. Then he snorted. "Is this your way of getting my attention, Nova? Stop being so childish."

I put down my fork and wiped my mouth.

"I don't need your attention."

"Why do you always have that miserable look on your face?"

Charles pounded his fist on the table.

"I did you a favor by taking you last night, and you ruined the whole thing. Vivian kept crying. Did you even know that?"

I shrugged.

"No. You'd obviously know better than I would."

"Enough!"

He pointed a finger at me. "You're going to apologize to Vivian. Now."

I refused. "No. Why would I apologize?"

Charles felt an irritation he couldn't put into words.

He didn't know what had gotten into me. He just had the feeling that something had slipped completely out of his control.

He forced himself to calm down.

"I'm sailing the Caribbean at the end of the month. Isn't that what you've always wanted, the islands and the beaches?

"This is your best chance. I'll take you, but only if you apologize to Vivian first. It's the trip she's been looking forward to most, and I'm offering you the chance to go."

My heart lurched.

I'd thought he couldn't hurt me anymore. His words still hit hard enough to knock the air out of me.

That was the place I'd wanted to see most, the route Charles had sailed on his first trip as captain.

He'd been so excited as he held me.

"Nova, I'm finally sailing as captain. That route has the most beautiful views. When I get the chance, I'll take you with me!"

I'd never forgotten a word of it.

He clearly hadn't forgotten either. He'd just turned it into a bargaining chip to make me back down.

When I said nothing, Charles sounded even more agitated.

"I'm talking to you. Are you going to answer me?

"Who knows when I'll sail that route again? Don't push your luck. I've already given you a chance."

I looked up at him calmly.

"I don't want it."

Charles blinked, as if he hadn't heard me.

"Say that again?"

I took a breath and spoke more steadily this time. "I said I'm not going. Take whoever you want."

Charles's claws came out, and he slammed his fist into the floor, cracking it.

"Then tell me what you want!

"I ask, and you won't tell me. I offer, and you won't accept. Nova, don't test my patience. You can't handle the consequences!"

"Can't I?"

I laughed.

"What are you going to do, Captain? I'd love to hear what consequences you think I can't handle."

He pointed a finger in my face.

His finger shook with anger, and I could hear his teeth grinding. He stood there pointing at me for a long moment, unable to get a word out.

Then he turned and stormed out. I'd gotten to him.

Even so, I felt nothing. Charles no longer had any power over my emotions.

The end of the month came quickly.

It was the time we'd set aside, one of the rare chances for us to be alone together.

This time, I was the one backing out.

I took my suitcase down to a cab and got to the terminal early. I got through security and customs without a hitch.

Then an Instagram notification popped up. I opened it. Vivian again.

A selfie on a dock. Behind her, a tall figure with his back to the camera leaned against the railing with a glass of red wine.

The caption said:

"You told me you'd show me the most beautiful view there is. You kept your word, my captain."

A pale band of skin stood out on his ring finger.

It was Charles.

He'd taken off his moonstone ring and gone to sea with Vivian.

The view, the two of them leaning together, the sweet caption. It all fit perfectly.

It struck me as funny. They were so well matched that fate should have paired them instead.

So much for his offer to take me sailing if I apologized.

All he'd ever wanted was the apology. Taking me was never going to happen.

He already had someone beside him. That place had never been mine.

I picked up my key card, changed into something comfortable, and went up on deck.

The ship pulled away, and a sun-warmed breeze brushed my face.

Schools of fish scattered below me, and I smiled and waved goodbye to them.

Charles was with the woman he'd chosen. I had an ocean of my own now.

Ten years. He and I were officially finished.