Four

William

Days passed, and I was riding a high unlike anything I’d felt in months.

Over the course of a week, I had poured nearly all of my money into securing this deal… every last cent. Each day was spent impressing Terra Corporation’s executives, building rapport with their staff, and gifting everything from personalized trinkets to extravagant tokens. It didn’t matter what it cost me; every move I made was strategic, each expense an investment. I was sure my dedication was making waves, my name echoing in all the right ears.

But the pièce de résistance, the boldest move yet? A luxurious cruise party.

I stepped onto the ship that evening, the sun dipping low over the horizon as music and laughter swirled through the air. I had spared no expense, the cruise lined with fine dining, champagne fountains and live music was a perfect blend of relaxation and charm. I greeted my guests warmly, soaking in their praise as they laughed and complimented my efforts.

“This party is spectacular, Mr. Bracknell,” Mrs. Durham gushed, practically glowing as she approached me. “Bracknell Inc. is lucky to have someone as dedicated as you. I’m certain Terra Corporation would be honored to call you a partner. If there’s anything you need, consider it done.”

I smiled, lowering my champagne glass with a practiced air of humility. “You flatter me, Mrs. Durham. This is Bracknell Inc.’s vision, after all. My father was generous enough to entrust me with opportunities like this.” I leaned in ever so slightly, my tone deliberate, “I don’t need favors… just a good word here and there. That’s all I ask.”

Her cheeks flushed at my clear implication, and she gave me a sly wink. “Oh, I’m sure the CEO would love you.”

She drifted away with a content smile, and I sipped my champagne, letting the victory wash over me.

Everything was falling into place… perfectly.

Nothing could…

I froze mid-step, my glass halting just short of my lips.

No. It had to be a trick of the light, my imagination playing cruel tricks on me.

But there he was.

Tristan.

He stood at the far end of the ship, leaning casually against the railing as if he belonged there. A glass of champagne dangled lazily from his fingers while he stared out at the open sea, utterly unbothered. The golden glow of the evening sun lit up his dark hair, casting sharp angles across his face. For a brief, maddening moment, I thought—

Handsome.

I blinked, my mind recoiling instantly. What the hell was I thinking?

Snapping out of it, I felt my mood darken like a thundercloud rolling over clear skies.

I clenched my jaw, irritation bubbling up. I had invited Terra executives and their plus-ones. That was it.

So what the hell was he doing here?

Without hesitation I stomped towards him frowning the moment our eyes met.

“What are you doing here?” I snapped instantly.

“Enjoying the view,” he replied but I wasn't playing his games.

“You weren't invited,” I said and he raised an eyebrow.

“Technically, I was.” He smirked arrogantly and my jaw clenched.

Had one of the Terra Executives invited him? My heart fell. What did that mean for me?

“Leave” I blurted out only to receive his indifferent stare.

“No.” he smiled.

 My lips twitched and annoyance and anger reared its head but I refused to lose my cool. I was in a delicate situation. I couldn't be rude and ask security to get him out of the ship in front of all the executives. Neither could I afford to anger anyone.

Meaning he stayed.

He smiled smugly. He knew there was nothing I could do and it made rage burn inside me.

“You know, seeing this I'm sure you've spent a lot trying to curry all these favors.” He commented, leaning towards me, “Does your father know about it? Does he know his son is that desperate for this deal?”

I clenched my teeth to keep from replying. I refused to respond to this goading. It didn't stop me from screaming out insults in my head.

‘Bastard.’

There was no use being here, I decided. Wasting time with him would push him to do something I would regret. I spun around, walking the other direction towards the party when his voice came from behind.

“I always knew you were never worthy to be with Caleb.”

Worthy? Caleb?

In an instant I saw red. Grabbing the nearest glass, I threw it in his direction and watched it shatter. Gasps filled the place when I returned to myself.  I looked up with dread.

Some of the people around the upper and lower level had seen it and all eyes were on me.  My eyes burned uncomfortably from the attention and a lump formed in my throat.

And Tristan only stared at me amused and victorious.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

Ignoring the curious and concerned stares, I spun on my heel and walked out of the party. My steps quickened until I found a free room, yanking the door shut behind me and leaning heavily against it.

The silence hit me like a wave, and the moment I was alone, the sob escaped—raw and uncontrollable.

I slid to the floor, covering my face with trembling hands as tears broke free.

I wasn’t worthy of him?

Those words echoed in my mind like poison. After everything I’d been through… everything he had done to me… how dare Tristan say that?

I squeezed my eyes shut, and like a cruel film reel, the memory surged forward.

Six months ago.

It had been just another grueling day, another late night returning home from work. I remembered the bone-deep exhaustion as I climbed the stairs, the hope of collapsing into bed pulling me forward.

But as I neared the door, I heard them. The sounds. Moans… low and unmistakable creeping through the cracks and suffocating the air around me.

My heart had stopped, panic rising like bile in my throat. With shaking hands, I opened the door.

And there it was.

Caleb… Caleb… in our bed, tangled with another woman. Their limbs knotted together in the sheets I had washed the day before.

The image burned itself into my memory like a scar.

I remembered the look on his face when he noticed me… shock, annoyance, even anger. But regret? Remorse? No. Those emotions were nowhere to be found.

“It’s not what you think,” he’d spat, scrambling for excuses, his words blurring into meaningless noise.

But I knew.

Deep down, I had always known.

For years, our relationship had been a battlefield where I was constantly losing. I remembered every argument, every time he made me feel small. Worthless. Like I needed him.

I had loved him so much… too much that I let him. I let him gaslight me, let him twist my trust, my hope, into a weapon against me. I had left everything for him…. my family, my life, my pride. I worked tirelessly for both of us while he gave me nothing but lies.

But that night? That night shattered everything.

The rose-colored glasses I had clung to for so long broke beyond repair.

I had packed my things right then and there, ignoring his desperate words and hollow promises. I walked out that door and never looked back, carrying nothing but the jagged pieces of my broken heart.

I returned to my family, ashamed but determined to start again.

And I did.

I rebuilt my life from the ground up.

My breathing slowed as I wiped the tears from my face, the sobs fading into a steely silence.

Anger replaced the grief.

How dare he.

Tristan, with his smug comments and baseless judgment, knew nothing.

He didn’t know the pain I’d clawed my way through, the nights I spent drowning in my own guilt and shame. He didn’t know how hard I fought to reclaim my life, to rewrite my story without anyone’s permission.

He knew nothing.

“I hate him,” I whispered, the words bitter but empowering.

And for that… for that alone I was going to crush him.

He might have underestimated me, but I would make him regret it.