DAISY POV...
The door stood open between us.
Damien in his doorway. Me in mine. A narrow hallway. Too much silence.
The ship hummed beneath our feet, a low vibration that made the tension feel alive, pulsing, thick.
His hand twitched at his side, like he wanted to say something — step closer — breathe my air — but he locked himself down so hard I could practically hear the gears grinding.
I opened my mouth first.
"Damien—"
His jaw snapped shut.
He looked away. The shutters slammed down. The same cold armor he wore like skin slid right back into place.
But I saw it.
The crack.
The hesitation.
The storm.
Before I could push again, before I could ask why he avoided me like I carried a plague—
Jallen's voice sliced through the moment like scissors cutting a thread.
"Guys! Mom wants pictures at the deck! Chop-chop!"
Damien's eyes darted toward the sound… and just like that, the spell broke.
He stepped out, shoulder brushing mine — barely a touch, but enough to make my pulse ricochet — and strode away without a backward glance.
Classic him.
Leaving me breathless and humiliated in the hallway.
I inhaled sharply, squared my shoulders, and followed, refusing to let him see how much the distance stung.
We reached the open deck, sunlight bright, waves glittering. Mother arranged everyone for photos.
"Daisy, come closer!"
I stepped forward.
Damien turned just enough to glance at me — not fully — just a flicker, a fraction, but it burned anyway.
Before I could read anything in his eyes, he looked away again.
Of course.
Families smiled. Cameras clicked.
And the moment Damien wasn't required to stand next to me anymore, he was gone — walking toward the upper deck with Lola trailing behind like a lovesick poodle.
My chest pinched.
Fine. Let him go.
I waited for everyone to disperse, ready to escape to my cabin and lick my wounds when—
A hand wrapped around my wrist.
Gently. But firmly.
Jallen.
Again.
"Come with me," he murmured, pulling me toward a shadowed wall near the staircase.
Before I could protest, his arm caged me in, palm flat beside my head, body angled too close.
"Let go," I hissed.
"Be quiet," he whispered, gaze sweeping my face. "Just… be still."
My breath hitched — not from fear. From fury.
I glanced past him instinctively.
Damien was on the upper deck, hands in pockets, staring right at us.
For one stupid, hopeful second, I thought he might come down. Step in. Say something. Anything.
He just held my gaze for a heartbeat…
…then he turned and walked away.
Something inside me cracked clean through.
I felt stupid. Pathetic. So heartbreakingly naïve.
I tore my gaze from Damien and faced Jallen with full disgust.
"What do you want?"
He sighed, eyes softening — annoyingly, confusingly — as his fingers brushed my cheek.
"You used to be our favorite," he murmured. "Before you turned into this cold, evil version of yourself. You know you can still come back. Still be my favorite… if you obey me. And Lola."
I stared at him like he'd lost his mind.
"I don't want anything from any of you," I snapped. "Not your favoritism. Not your orders. Not your twisted fantasy of power."
His lips pressed together.
"And Damien?" he asked softly.
The name shot straight through me.
I swallowed, voice dropping. "I hate him. I hate you. I hate Lola. I would give anything to get away from this family."
A shadow flickered in his eyes — shock? Hurt? A bruise of something real?
But I didn't care.
He smirked, cold creeping back in. "Be careful what you wish for, Daisy. I can make you disappear."
"Be my guest."
We stared each other down, two storms refusing to move.
Finally, he exhaled and stepped back.
"You've been obedient so far. You didn't tell Mom what we've done. Behave for the rest of this cruise, and I'll relieve you of one week's chores when we get home."
I laughed, shaking my head.
"You think I'm silent for you?" I spat. "I'm silent because I refuse to break Mom's heart. If she knew the kind of devils her precious children were—"
"Mind your words," he snapped sharply.
"I'm done being scared," I said. "Whatever you and your monsters want to do, do it. I'm ready."
Lie. Lie. Lie.
I shoved him aside and stormed off, chest tight, mind buzzing.
Not because of them.
But because of Damien.
Always Damien.
My traitor heart whispered his name even when I didn't want it to. Even when he wouldn't look at me. Even when his cold shoulder felt like a blade.
I needed to run. Not from Jallen. Not from Lola.
From him.
I joined the others outside, sitting beside mother as she ordered lunch. Smiling when needed. Pretending I didn't feel Lola gripping Damien's arm like a vine choking a tree.
When they walked over holding hands, I couldn't breathe.
"I'll be back," I murmured to Mother.
I slipped away, weaving through the passengers until I reached the quieter side of the ship. The sea stretched endlessly, glittering under the sun.
I leaned on the railing — balustrade, whatever sailors call it — letting the ocean soak up all the emotions clawing inside me.
I wanted to throw every feeling overboard and watch it drown.
Footsteps paused behind me.
"You might not want to stay here if your mind's troubled," a calm voice said.
I turned my head slightly — and froze.
A young Marine officer stood beside me, uniform crisp, posture relaxed. His cap shaded his face just enough to make his grey eyes look sharper, more arresting.
He looked like someone carved by the sea itself.
Strong. Still. Unshakeable.
And when our eyes met, something in my chest stuttered.
My breath caught — embarrassingly, stupidly — but it caught.
He tilted his head, studying me gently.
"You alright, miss?"
I opened my mouth — but words failed.
Because for the first time that day…
Someone was looking at me like I mattered.