RULES WE BREAK

Cruise Gone Wrong

Thea's POV;

After leaving the cabin in frustration, I wonder out onto the open deck, squinting in the warm golden afternoon light. The gentle sea breeze lifts my hair, and I close my eyes for a moment, taking in the fresh, salty air. This Christmas Cruise tour is meant to be my dream escape, a place where I can actually let go of my worries and savor every moment, especially with the love of my life. I brush off the sting of the argument I just had with Shawn, telling myself that I won't let it overshadow the experience I've been waiting for so long.

I stroll aimlessly along the deck, watching other passengers chat, laugh and sip cocktails under the sun. The pool glistens nearby and there's the sound of light music playing, blending with the gentle hum of the ocean below. I smile a bit, feeling my mood lift as I soak in the luxurious atmosphere I've always dreamed about.

I pause at the ship's railings, gazing out at the horizon where the sky meets the vast, endless sea, and I let myself feel grateful for the opportunity to be here. With the clear blue sky stretching above me, and the sun sparkling over the waves, everything feels surreal and beautiful. I remind myself that I'm allowed to have my own boundaries and values, and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

After a while, I head to a small café on board, and order an iced drink and a light snack. I find a seat with a view of the ocean, watching seagulls swoop by and waves ripple below. I take a few sips of my drink, slowly relaxing, enjoying the moment I've dreamed of for so long.

Eventually, I start to feel a tinge of guilt about the fight with Shawn. I know that we came on this trio to have fun and to make memories and not argue. Taking a deep breath, I decide to go back and talk things over with him. Maybe we can find a common ground and salvage the rest of our time on the cruise.

My excitement grows and my heart quickens, anticipation brimming inside me as I near our cabin. I can picture his face when I walk in, his expression softening, and both of us ready to leave our argument behind.

I reach the door, and my hands hover over the handle. But just as I'm about to turn the handle, I hear a faint sound from inside, muffled but unmistakable. I freeze, leaning in closer, hoping I misheard. But the sounds grow clearer.

"Oh yes... Oh Shawn babe...fuck me! f**k!"

I can clearly hear the bed rattling, sweaty flesh smashing against each other, husky moans of pleasure. I clamp my hand over my mouth to stop myself from screaming.

Shawn is cheating on me with another woman on board? I feel betrayed, furious and humiliated.

A while ago, I was excited and was ready to apologize to him and leave our argument behind. But here I am. Listening to him f*****g another woman inside that door.

Before I can stop myself, my hand twists the handle and the door opens with a faint creak. My eyes instantly fall on the tangle of limbs on the bed, bare skin against bare skin, Shawn's face flushed and completely unaware of my presence in the room. I can feel the world spin, my heart cracking open as I grip the doorframe for balance.

"S-Shawn..." I can barely get his name out, my voice cracking under the weight of my own disbelief. My vision blurs, and the sound feels as foreign as the sight before me.

Shawn turns at the sound of my voice, his face draining of color as he finally registers my presence. He scrambles off the bed, reaching out toward me. "Wait, it's not what it looks like..." His voice is desperate, but he already knows how empty the words sound.

I can't stop my voice from trembling. "It's not what it looks like? Then tell me, what exactly does it look like? Because, it looks like everything you promised me meant nothing."

He runs his fingers through his hair, obviously frustrated. "Look... Thea, I'm really sorry. I never meant to hurt you like this. But think about it, we've been together for the past three years and you still refuse to have s*x with me. What did you think was going to happen? I have needs, you know."

I can't believe my ears.

He is the one who has cheated on me. And somehow, I'm responsible.

"I told you from the very beginning... I was clear about waiting until marriage. You promised me that it was okay. So, I expected you to keep your thing inside of your pants." My voice wavers, a mix of hurt and betrayal thickening my words. "Besides, we've shared so much together! Cuddling, kissing... Isn't that enough for you?"

His forehead twists into a frown.

"Come on, Thea." Finally he said, "Don't be such a baby. I'm not a f*****g saint and you know that. I need more than just kissing and cuddling, I need s*x, I need to feel something deeper than just physical affection and you wouldn't give me that."

My heart is bumping repeatedly against my ribcage. I glare at him and boom through my clenched teeth, "Never, ever, call me a BABY! You disgusting, cheating, PIG!" I slap him, so hard across his face that his head almost knocks on the doorframe. Before he realizes what happened, I turn my heel and stride away.

I don't know where I am going. The vast expense of the ship, the glistening sea beneath, feels like an endless abyss, just like the chasm that has suddenly opened up between me and the man I thought I knew. All I know is that I need to get away.

My footsteps are slow at first, hesitant, as though my legs are still trying to comprehend what my heart already knows. The tears sting my eyes, blurring my vision, but I don't stop to wipe them away. I don't care that the salty sea air will sting my face, or that the cold seems to seep into my bones with each step I take.

I didn't plan for any of this. The Christmas Cruise was supposed to be a dream come true, a symbol of everything I had hoped for. A luxurious vacation, the kind I have wanted to cross off my bucket list for years. But now? Now it feels like a cruel joke. A day that was supposed to mark the new beginning has turned into a nightmare, one I can't escape from fast enough.