Chapter 2: I'm the One Who Should Apologize?

Serena stared at Adrian.

"Me?"

"Yes."

He said it so matter-of-factly that, for a moment, she thought she'd misheard.

"Why should I apologize?"

"You barged in here and started attacking Chloe."

Serena had no words.

"Adrian, let it go."

Chloe gently took his arm.

"Serena's just confused."

Holding her robe closed, she lowered her eyes sadly.

"I'm not trying to ruin your marriage, Serena. I know the two of you are getting married."

Serena stared at her.

"So… please don't cause trouble for both families over me."

Seven years ago.

Their parents had arranged the engagement while Serena's father was still alive.

Adrian had been so much kinder then.

Even after her father died and the Whitmore family's hotel business began to struggle,

"Don't worry. You have me."

That was what he'd told her.

How often had she held on to those words?

When he went out alone with Chloe.

When they leaned close together.

They were childhood friends.

They had always been like that.

Serena had believed she would be the one Adrian chose in the end.

"Serena."

His voice cut through the memory.

"Just apologize to Chloe, and this will all be over."

"I won't apologize."

His brow twitched.

"I have nothing to apologize for."

"You—"

She left before he could finish.

Across the corridor.

Her bridal suite was only a few steps away.

She held up her key card, went inside, and closed the door.

White roses and champagne awaited her on the table, prepared for that evening.

Beside them lay a card lettered in gold.

To your new beginning together.

Serena turned it facedown.

Beyond the window was nothing but dark sea.

The harbor lights she'd seen when they sailed were nowhere to be found.

Then laughter drifted from the room across the hall. The two of them.

Serena sat on the sofa without moving for a long time.

Only a few yards away.

Adrian and Chloe were right there, separated from her by a wall and a corridor.

She wrapped her arms around herself.

It was a beautiful room.

Flowers on the table.

Fresh sheets on the bed.

The endless night sea beyond the vast window.

Now, all of it felt suffocating.

She could no longer see the harbor lights.

Even if she wanted to escape, she was out at sea.

Suddenly, the entire ship felt like an enormous cage.

Morning came before she'd managed much sleep.

She put on a white blouse that covered her throat and headed to the restaurant reserved for suite guests.

Stepping out of the private elevator, she saw blue sea through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Serena! Over here."

Daniel Hayes raised a hand.

He'd been friends with Adrian since their school days, and had known Chloe since childhood.

The sight of their table stopped Serena in her tracks.

Chloe was sitting beside Adrian.

"Good morning, Serena."

She smiled as though last night had never happened.

Serena took the empty seat opposite them.

Chloe poured coffee into Adrian's cup.

"No milk, right?"

"Right."

"You've always taken it black."

Adrian gave a small smile.

"Aren't you hot in that, Serena?"

Without warning, Daniel pointed at her collar.

"We're on a cruise. You could wear something a little more open."

"Daniel."

Chloe immediately chided him.

"Oh, sorry. Kidding. Just kidding."

He raised a hand casually.

There was no way he didn't know what was on her neck.

Serena said nothing and took a sip of water.

"Oh, by the way."

Daniel turned to Adrian.

"I hear Serena said she couldn't marry you last night?"

Serena's hand stilled.

Adrian's expression didn't change.

"Did Chloe tell you?"

"Yeah. It was quite the topic this morning."

Daniel laughed as he tore a piece of bread.

"What are we supposed to do if the wedding's off? Everyone's come all this way."

Another friend laughed.

"It'd be awkward as hell until we got back to port."

"You'd have to make it up to us, Adrian."

Daniel clapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"Just don't get any ideas about tossing Serena overboard so you can be with Chloe because you can't break off the engagement, okay?"

Laughter spread around the table.

Serena's fork struck her plate with a faint clink.

"Stupid joke."

That was Adrian's response.

Nothing more.

"Don't take it seriously, Serena."

She looked at him.

"I don't find it funny."

Daniel's smile faltered slightly.

"Serena, Daniel didn't mean any—"

"I know."

Serena looked at Chloe.

"That's why all I said was that I don't find it funny."

She put down her napkin.

"Excuse me."

Leaving the restaurant, she made her way to the observation lounge.

It was still early. Hardly anyone was there.

The horizon lay beyond the glass.

Everywhere she looked, there was sea.

A little later, voices came from the passage behind her.

"I said I was sorry about earlier."

Daniel.

"Serena's really pissed."

"Leave her alone."

Adrian's voice.

Serena stopped.

"But she said last night that she couldn't marry you, didn't she?"

"Yes."

"How many days until the wedding?"

"It's on day six."

"Are you sure everything's okay?"

There was a brief pause.

Adrian answered.

"She can't call it off."

"You sound pretty sure."

"She has no other choice."

Serena's fingers went still against the edge of the window.

"Because of the Whitmore Hotel?"

"Yes."

Daniel lowered his voice.

"But does she—"

"Leave it alone."

Adrian cut him off.

"On day six, she'll be my bride."