STELLA
The moment we stepped back into the ship, I kept my gaze firmly on the floor, not wanting anyone to see the telltale redness around my eyes. My tears had dried, but the pain still lingered. Tristan walked beside me, his hand lightly brushing against mine, a silent reassurance I hadn’t asked for but appreciated all the same.
After everything with Corey and Griselda earlier, my nerves were haywire. I didn’t have the strength to face them again, at least not yet. Tristan must have noticed because he stopped abruptly, causing me to halt as well.
“Hey,” he said, tilting his head to catch my gaze. “We’re not doing this today. No moping, no overthinking. Let’s have some fun.”
I blinked up at him, startled. “Fun? Now?”
“Yes. Now.” His lips quirked into that familiar smirk that somehow
