[Day 4, Dec. 23 – The Ophelia Cruise Ship]
Octavia
The earlier drama between Margaret and Ava replayed in my head as I made my way back to the suite. The memory of Ava’s smug smile as she left Margaret’s suite sent a chill through me. I couldn’t wait to see how this battle between the queen of chess and the self-proclaimed chessboard would unfold.
Yanking the door open, I stepped into the quiet cabin. The air felt still, untouched since I’d left this morning.
Dave wasn’t inside.
I dropped my bag onto the chair, the weight of the day pressing heavily on my shoulders. My gaze shifted to the corner of the room where my suitcase sat.
My manuscript.
My heart thumped loudly as I moved toward the suitcase, pulling it open and retrieving the bundle of papers from its hiding spot. It felt he
