Chapter 2

Damian: [What the hell are you talking about? Cancel the engagement? Have you lost your mind?]

Damian: [You were on that plane? How come I didn't know about this?]

The second I picked up my phone, Damian's messages flooded the screen.

For the first time, I didn't rush to reply. Instead, I scrolled up through years of our chat history.

It was all me. Message after message, and barely anything from him.

I thought about it for a moment, then put the phone down. No reply.

There was nothing left to say.

I dozed off in the crew lounge for a while. The sweet scent of fresh fruit pulled my hollow heart back to solid ground, and reality slowly seeped back in.

I had just stared death in the face and walked away.

A commotion erupted outside the lounge door. Damian's voice, shrill and agitated, cut right through the walls. "I'm her... friend! Why won't you let me in?"

A staff member's voice answered firmly, "Ms. Carter said she needs rest. No one gets in.

"If you're really her friend, then you should know that Ms. Carter just fought for her life up there. She needs to rest."

Then came the impact. A heavy fist connected with flesh.

I shot to my feet and threw the door open.

Damian stood there, face twisted with rage, and beside him was the man he had just punched.

The man's eyes flickered when he saw me, but he kept his mouth shut.

I glanced at the name tag on his chest. He was Ryan Brooks, another captain.

He winced as he drew a sharp breath through his teeth, still instinctively shielding me. Something in my chest ached at the sight. I handed him a handkerchief. "I'm so sorry. You shouldn't have to deal with this. Please, let me apologize on his behalf."

Damian's voice shot up another octave. "Who gave you the right to apologize for me? This is her fault! She's the one who wouldn't let me in to see you!

"Elena, you're awfully protective of this guy. Don't tell me you two have something going on!"

A flash of anger surged through me.

The old me would have dropped everything to soothe him, would have sworn up and down that he was the only one I'd ever love.

But now, looking at the ugly contortion of Damian's face, all I felt was disappointment.

Were all those years of loving him even worth it? I didn't have an answer.

Ryan scoffed, "There's nothing between me and Ms. Carter. Don't go throwing around accusations and dragging her reputation through the mud."

I cut Ryan off with a look and gestured for him to leave first.

Once Ryan was gone, I turned to Damian. "Aren't you and Olivia supposed to be the earthquake's most beautiful couple? Shouldn't you be with her? What are you doing here?

"You and I have nothing left to talk about. I'm exhausted."

Damian stared at me in disbelief. He clearly hadn't expected me to talk to him like that.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Oh, so you're mad?

"I can explain everything, but there's no need for this little stunt of yours, staging some life-or-death drama for attention. It's honestly disgusting."

Before I could respond, his phone rang.

Olivia's voice came through the speaker. "Damian, I had a nightmare. I dreamt you left me. Where are you? I'm not feeling so good."

A tender smile spread across Damian's face. "I remembered you wanted mac and cheese, so I went out to grab you some."

After hanging up, he shot me a vicious glare. "We're not done. I'll deal with you later."