[Day 2: Dec. 21, The Ophelia Cruise Ship]
~Octavia~
The scene kept playing in my mind, over and over, as if it were on a cruel loop. Dave’s arms around Ava. The pain was sharp, like a knife twisting deeper with every step I took toward Lila and Craig’s cabin.
I didn’t even realize tears were threatening to spill until Lila gave my wrist a squeeze, grounding me in reality.
How could he? After everything Ava had done, after all the words he said to me on stage—you’re my woman to whom I’m well pleased—how could he still choose her?
Did he still harbor feelings for her? Was this some twisted act of kindness?
No, Octavia. Don’t be a fool.
What kind of kindness involves saving the woman who cheated on him? It wasn’t kindness. It was stupidity—or worse, love.
The thought made me sick.
