“It’s only Alexander and me,” Mia said quickly. “I didn’t even know where we were going. He just said we were heading out—and then brought me here. There’s no one else.”
“Oh my God,” Hazel whispered, instantly delighted. “That’s insanely romantic.”
“Can you stop?” Mia muttered, rubbing her temple. “I don’t want you praising Alexander right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because he lied to me—and you’re acting like I’m not even mad at him. Did you forget we’re fighting?”
Hazel scoffed. “You’re not fighting him. You’re running from him.”
“What’s the difference?” Mia huffed and stomped her foot without thinking.
The sound echoed sharply across the silent deck.
Mia froze, her shoulders tensing as she glanced around, suddenly aware of how loud it had been in the stillness.
“So,” Hazel continued, unfazed, “are you going to keep sulking over those pictures he had of you, or are you actually planning to divorce him?”
Mia inhaled slowly. Her fingers curled around the railing, knuckles whitening as she stared into the endless black water ahead.
“Hazel…” Her voice dropped, quieter now. “What should I do?”
Hazel’s voice softened instantly. “What happened? Is something wrong?”
Mia began to pace, restless, the deck cool beneath her bare feet. Her chest tightened, emotions tangling until her breath came shallow.
Then, almost as if admitting it aloud stole the strength from her legs, she whispered, “I’m in love with Alexander.”
Before she could take another breath—
A pair of strong arms appeared on either side of her, bracing against the railing and trapping her between them.
Mia gasped, spinning around.
Alexander stood there, caging her in.
Her breath caught violently. His face was inches from hers, his presence overwhelming, his gaze so intense it made her heart slam against her ribs.
“Mia?” Hazel’s voice echoed faintly from the phone. “Hello? Are you there?”
Mia couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe.
Her fingers slackened, and the phone slipped from her hand.
Alexander caught it effortlessly mid-fall and slid it into his pocket without looking away from her.
He was shirtless. The wind tousled his hair, the night wrapping around him as the lights reflected off his skin. He looked almost unreal—like a god.
And that god was staring straight at her.
Without his glasses, his eyes looked darker—sharper—locked onto her with an expression that was part disbelief, part triumph.
“Say that again,” Alexander said quietly. His voice was low, controlled, though the corner of his mouth betrayed him with a smile he couldn’t fully suppress.
Mia shoved at his chest, trying to escape, but he caught her instantly, pulling her back. Her body hit the side of the yacht, and his hand came up, gripping her jaw, forcing her to meet his gaze.
He stared down at her, eyes burning, then dipped his head—
