AUTHOR’S POV
Nina grips the door handle, her thoughts still churning as she recalls her journey to the cruise ship.
At first, her relationship with Lucas felt like a new beginning, a second chance in life. He was kind, supportive, and understood her struggles, and for a time, she believed she was finally on the right track.
But everything changed eight months ago when Lucas returned home from work with an unexpected proposition—no, an instruction. He had learned about the Sullivans' latest venture: the luxurious cruise ship they had purchased and its inaugural voyage, on which Channing Sullivan was scheduled to travel.
As a family friend, Lucas was given an exclusive ticket, but instead of attending, he gave it to Nina. He told her she would be the one to go, and when she questioned
