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Chapter 10

Author: StaceSteele
last update Last Updated: 2025-06-25 19:37:51

Before Miles could respond, Jake slipped out the door. He heard his mother's voice rising in his defense as it closed behind him, buying him time he desperately needed.

The ship's corridors were quieter now, most passengers having retired to their cabins after the evening's entertainment. Jake wandered aimlessly at first, replaying the night's events in his mind. The revelation of Amity's true identity had been shocking, but it hadn't changed how her music made him feel—or the connection he'd sensed between them.

Without consciously deciding, he found himself heading toward the crew deck again. This time, however, he was intercepted before he could get far.

"Mr. Monroe." Liam Jenkins-Whitmore stepped out from an alcove, blocking Jake's path. "A word, if you don't mind."

Jake tensed, expecting another confrontation, but Liam's expression was surprisingly conciliatory.

"I owe you an apology," Liam said, gesturing toward a nearby sitting area. "For what my sister revealed about my person
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  • The Cruise Ship Royal   Chapter 48

    Jake nodded, squeezing her hand. "Our story is beautiful. We have nothing to hide."After ending the call with David, they sat at their kitchen table, drafting their statement together. As they worked, Jake noticed a shift in Amity's demeanour, from shocked victim to determined defender. She was protecting more than her reputation now; she was protecting their child's future."We should call our parents," she said, looking up from their draft. "They shouldn't hear more details from the media."The calls were brief but emotional. Emma and Miles had already seen the leaked news but were furious about the circumstances. Richard was uncharacteristically silent before promising that "appropriate measures" would be taken against whoever had violated his daughter's medical privacy.By morning, London's news cycle was dominated by their story. The tabloids ran with the more salacious angle, "WHIRLWIND ROMANCE LEADS TO BABY: BUT WHO'S THE FATHER?" At the same time

  • The Cruise Ship Royal   Chapter 47

    "But if he was watching us..." Amity's voice trailed off as the implications settled in. "Jake, I barely touched alcohol all week. I was tired and emotional. If he's observant enough and vindictive enough, he might have drawn conclusions.""Even if he did, what could he do with that information?" Jake asked, though his own concern was growing. "It's not scandalous for a committed couple to have a baby."Amity was quiet for a long moment, staring out at the London evening. "It could be if someone wanted to make it appear otherwise. Create doubt about timing, about paternity, about our entire relationship."Jake felt a chill run down his spine. "You think he'd go that far?""I think Marcus Blackwood is a man who's lost everything and blames me for it," Amity replied grimly. "Desperate people do desperate things."As if summoned by their conversation, Amity's phone rang. David's name appeared on the screen."Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?"

  • The Cruise Ship Royal   Chapter 46

    "But effective," Marcus countered. "Especially when edited selectively."Victoria studied him, reassessing. "You've been planning this for some time.""Let's just say I've always believed in being prepared," Marcus replied smoothly. "Amity left me for a shipping heir and suddenly became a technological innovator. Don't you find that suspicious?""What I find," Victoria said carefully, "is opportunity. Your personal vendetta aligns with my clients' business interests. A temporary partnership could benefit us both."They spent the next hour outlining a strategy that made Marcus's previous attempts look amateurish by comparison. Victoria had resources, media contacts, technical experts, and financial leverage that he had lacked. Together, they crafted a narrative designed to create maximum doubt with minimum legal exposure."Timing is crucial," Victoria emphasised as they concluded. "The story needs to break when they're most vulnerable, when they're

  • The Cruise Ship Royal   Chapter 45

    "It's probably just exhaustion," Amity protested weakly, though she didn't resist when Jake helped her back to bed. "The last few weeks have been overwhelming.""Maybe," Jake said, sitting beside her and feeling her forehead. "But you haven't been yourself since we arrived. The orange juice last night, avoiding the champagne, this morning sickness..."Amity's eyes widened as the implications hit her. "You think I might be...?""I think we should find out," Jake said gently, his heart racing with a mixture of excitement and concern. "There's a clinic in town. We could go this morning, before our flight back to London."An hour later, they sat in a small medical office while Dr Sarah Chen, no relation to the arts foundation director, reviewed Amity's test results with a professional smile."Congratulations," she said warmly. "You're approximately six weeks pregnant. Everything appears normal and healthy."The words hung in the air between them

  • The Cruise Ship Royal   Chapter 44

    The celebration that followed was joyous and relaxed, barefoot dancing on the sand, champagne in plastic flutes, and a spectacular seafood feast served on long tables beneath strings of fairy lights. As the sun began to set, casting the beach in golden light, Jake found himself standing at the water's edge with Emma."I never thought I'd see Richard Jenkins-Whitmore dancing barefoot at his son's same-sex wedding," she observed with a smile, nodding toward where Richard was awkwardly but enthusiastically attempting to follow David's lead in a traditional Australian bush dance."People can surprise you," Jake replied, echoing her words from weeks earlier."Speaking of surprises," Emma said, her voice casual but her eyes shrewd, "when might I expect a similar celebration for you and Amity?"Jake laughed, watching as Amity twirled in the sand with Liam, her coral dress billowing around her. "When the time is right," he said simply. "We're not rushing anything

  • The Cruise Ship Royal   Chapter 43

    "Already in progress," David interjected, pulling up documents on his tablet. "We've been researching models based on successful social enterprises in the tech sector."Liam raised his glass. "To my sister's stubbornness, finally being channelled toward something revolutionary."The tension dissolved into laughter, and conversation flowed easily again. As the celebration continued, Jake noticed Amity's security detail subtly positioning themselves near the restaurant's entrances. One of them approached discreetly, bending to whisper something in David's ear.David's expression remained neutral, but Jake caught the slight tightening around his eyes. When the security officer withdrew, David made a casual excuse to check his phone, stepping away from the table."Everything okay?" Jake asked when David returned several minutes later."Just a precaution," David replied quietly. "Security spotted someone matching Marcus's description in the main dining

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