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This ring used to give him peace. Even hope. But now, it was just…different, and every second that passed had him increasingly on edge.

Everything could still go wrong.

She could still say no.

She could still leave him.

Ruel’s brooding silence communicated itself to Chadwick, who gunned the engine of the speedboat as soon as his boss was on board. When the billionaire was in this kind of mood, the sooner they made it back to where the yacht was moored, the better and safer for everyone.

They were still a small distance away from the yacht when Ruel noticed something unusual. Every evening, Karyna would make sure the yacht was lit up from bow to stern, which she once told him was her way of welcoming him home, no matter what time he came back.

But now, everything was dark, and that…

That wasn’t right.

He tapped Chadwick on the shoulder, and the older man quickly killed the engine.

This was another one of his many protocols that he had his most trusted staff rehearse and review periodically, in case something were to happen to him…or worse, to his wife. He had hoped they would never have any need to use it, but life as he knew it…

You just can’t give me a break, can You?

The words that unfolded in his mind were more cynical than bitter. They were also completely unplanned and unexpected. Ruel had never been the type to talk to Him, and in fact, he didn’t even want to think about who that was.

That was just a moment of insanity, he told himself as he and Chadwick parted ways, with Ruel heading for the cabins while the other man circled to the back.

His steps fell noiselessly against the carpeted hallway, his gun out, his attention divided between his surroundings and the app on his smartwatch, which showed real-time footage of various sections of the yacht.

Lower deck. Empty.

Salon. Empty.

Corridor. Empty.

No signs of struggle or intruders.

But there was also no sign of Karyna in the places she would usually wait for him, in case he came home early for dinner.

He checked the cabins one at a time, his heartbeat thunderous, all the while resisting the urge to talk to Him.

If something did happen to Karyna…

Then that was just more proof that He was not to be trusted.

And yet…

Ruel stiffened when he saw the light seeping out from under the door to their cabin.

If Karyna was inside…why had she not come out?

He slowly opened the door, finger on the trigger…

Her stunned, stricken gaze clashed with his through their shared reflection on the glass doors of the balcony.

Why?

She spun around, her movements more jerky than adorably clumsy. Her face was pale, almost as if she had seen a ghost…and that ghost was him.

Why?