1
STELLA
The soft hum of Christmas carol songs drifted through the air, blending with the clink of champagne flutes, golden forks on expensive ceramic plates, and the sound of waves crashing against the ship’s hull.
I stood by the glass railing on the deck, the salty breeze brushing against my skin as I stared out at the endless ocean. Tonight was perfect, everything I thought it was going to be.
I smoothed my hands over the silky emerald-green dress I’d carefully chosen for the evening, willing the tension in my body to ease. This was supposed to be a magical trip, one I had meticulously planned down to the smallest detail. After two gruelling years of nonstop work, I’d earned this. More than that, I wanted this holiday to be special, a chance for Corey and me to reconnect.
I was slightly nervous and maybe giddy with excitement for what I was expecting to happen on this tour.
Maybe it was because of the small velvet box I’d found tucked into Corey’s suitcase earlier this afternoon. I hadn’t opened it, but I didn’t need to. After two years together, I knew what it was. I’d been dreaming of this moment, imagining how he might propose. On the deck under the stars? At midnight on New Year’s Eve?
I squealed and burst into an excited laughter when a large wave came crashing against the ship.
"Stella, there you are." His voice came, a calming balm to my soul.
I turned at the sound of his voice, beaming as Corey strolled toward me. He looked as polished as ever in his tailored navy suit, and his baby-blue eyes sparkled under the warm glow of the deck’s fairy lights, giving me the same jolt I had the first time we met. His grin was wide and confident—the kind of grin that could make anyone believe he had the world in the palm of his hand.
“You disappeared on me,” he said, slipping an arm around my waist.
“I just needed some air,” I replied, leaning against him. My eyes fluttered close as I basked in the warmth of his proximity.
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my temple. “Well, don’t stay out here too long. Everyone’s asking about you. You’re the only woman on this ship who can stop a room just by walking in.”
I laughed. “Flattery isn’t going to get you out of being late to dinner tomorrow.”
“Noted.” His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled away with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, babe, I have to take this. I’ll find you in a bit, okay?”
Before I could respond, he was gone, disappearing into the crowd inside. I stood there, staring after him, my smile growing wider.
For two years, I’d told myself Corey Wilson was everything I wanted. Charming, successful, and attentive when it mattered. And it was the same way I felt.
This was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
I blew out a breath, bracing for what I was going to meet when I went back in. I had no idea what Corey had planned, but I knew it was going to lead to him going on one knee and presenting an engagement ring to me. I could already imagine everyone clapping and cheering as we kissed.
Lifting my gown, I made my way back into the ship towards the restaurant in search of Corey. And when I didn't see him there, I made a beeline for our suite with the intention of telling him how all eyes had been on me while I searched for him at the restaurant.
That would make him slightly jealous and overprotective, and honestly, I lived for it. I lived for the dominating part of him that reminded me of how much we belonged to each other.
I paused outside the door to the VIP lounge that led to our suite when I heard Corey’s voice.
“Don’t worry, baby. She doesn’t suspect a thing.” he muttered, his voice husky. I knew that sound. “She's too happy to even notice anything.”
The words stopped me in my tracks, and I c****d my head to the side in confusion. Who was he speaking to?
I hesitated, my hand hovering over the door handle. Then, before I could second-guess myself, I pushed the door open.
Corey froze as soon as the door clicked shut, turning to me with wide eyes. But I was too busy staring at the woman casually laying on the bed—our bed.
The sleeves of her dress fell lazily down her arm, barely covering her breasts, and her thighs were bare and slightly spread. She had a smug smile on her face, one of satisfaction.
Corey's pants lay on the floor behind him, and like a new wave of clarity washed over me, I gasped and staggered backwards, tears streaming down my cheeks.
"What the hell is this?!" I choked out as sobs racked through me. "Corey, what is another woman doing in our suite? Why is she half naked–and why are you–oh my God!"
"Stella," He made his way towards me, and when he reached for me, I pulled away, not wanting to be anywhere close to him. “Baby, I can explain.”
Amidst the feelings of pain, I felt disgusted at him. Where did it all go wrong? I was thinking of so much at the same time, barely able to compute the sight before me.
The lady rose to her feet and put herself in order, and just before she left, she spoke.
"You know where to find me, Corey baby. I'll be waiting." She ran her hand down his arm before pushing past me, not failing to laugh as she did.
"Stella," He began as soon as she left. "Hear me out, please?"
"What is there to hear?" I laughed bitterly, wiping my tears. "I spent the whole of last month working towards making this Christmas Special for us, and this is the thanks I get?!"
He ran a hand through his hair, his expression shifting from guilt to irritation. “Look, it’s not what it looks like.”
I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “Oh, really? Because it looks like you’ve been screwing someone else while pretending to be the perfect boyfriend!”
His jaw tightened, and for the first time, the mask slipped. “Maybe if you weren’t so obsessed with your damn work, I wouldn’t have needed to look elsewhere.”
His words hit me like a slap. I stumbled back a step, my chest tightening as tears burned the edges of my vision. But I refused to let him see me cry.
“Wow,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "You really are shitty."
With those words, I turned and walked away, ignoring his calls after me. My heels clicked loudly against the floor as I fought to keep my composure. The moment I rounded the corner and found myself alone, the tears came, hot and angry.
I leaned against the wall, sobbing and barely able to breathe. Everything I had planned now came crashing at my feet, like the universe was mocking me for expecting such a perfect Christmas.
Things had been perfect. So perfect that I didn't see tonight creeping up on me.
Aggressively wiping my tears, I leaned away from the wall and braced myself.
The whole world didn't have to know that I had just been dumped in the nastiest, most insulting way ever. I still had my pride and dignity to uphold, so I plastered a fake smile on my face and began to walk towards the bar.
I didn’t stop until I reached the bar. Sliding onto a stool, I ordered the strongest drink they had, downing it in one go. The burn of the alcohol didn’t numb the pain, but it gave me something else to focus on.
And then I noticed him.
He was leaning casually against the far end of the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand. His dark hair fell messily over his forehead, and his charcoal-gray eyes met mine with an intensity that made my breath hitch.
“Rough night?” he asked, his deep voice laced with interest.
“You could say that,” I replied, my voice thick with emotions. For one, I didn't enjoy the way he was looking at me like all he wanted to do was eat me up. But a part of me enjoyed it.
He smirked, pushing off the bar to take the seat beside me. “Let me guess…boyfriend drama?”
I let out a hollow laugh. “Something like that.”
“Well, lucky for you, I’m not looking for anything serious.” His tone was teasing, but his eyes burned with something darker. A kind of desire I'd never experienced. It drew me in, like a moth to the flame.
I should have walked away. I should have taken my broken heart and left. But I didn’t.
Instead, I leaned closer, meeting his gaze head-on. “Good. Neither am I.”
His lips curved into a slow, wicked grin, and before I could think better of it, I was kissing him. His mouth was hot and demanding against mine, and for the first time tonight, I didn’t feel broken. I felt alive.