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But it didn’t.

Instead, it was what paved the way for us to find our way back to each other, and oh, Chadwick, too. He and his men were still with us; they went wherever we went, and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. There’s safety in numbers, especially with me still having nightmares over what Sadie’s done.

The last I heard, she’s still with the Feds, and all I can do now is pray for her. They’re the ones who took her away, and it was Keiran who made the arrangements. I’ve always known Harbour Locke is no ordinary club. But I never thought that breaking one of the club rules meant going against the FBI.

And oh, speaking of Harbour Locke…

I can’t help smiling a little when I remember my last Zoom call with Gwen and Patrick. The two of them are dating now, and in fact, we’re having them over as guests next month, along with Keiran and Cadence, and both our lawyers and their spouses, too. It’s going to be the best yacht party ever (without anyone getting drunk)—

“Ahem.”

I barely keep myself from wincing, which would have made things worse. It would’ve made me guilty of not paying attention, and I’d rather not let my professor know that even if it’s true.

“Are you still with us, Caristia?”

“Absolutely.”

My professor squints at me on the screen, and I fight to keep still and not squirm under her prying gaze. Since she teaches Intro to Psychology, I’m always worried she’ll see through me or something, and it’s not like I have anything to hide, but I just want to be careful, you know? Considering who my husband is?

“It’s your turn,” Professor Douglas says finally. “You can begin any moment now.”

Gulp.

This is the exercise I’ve been dreading the most. She’s asked us to introduce ourselves to the class as though we were our own patient, but…what if I let something slip?

And also…

How do I talk about my life without sounding like I’m either low-key bragging or high-key flaunting?

Because honestly…

I love being Ruel’s wife so, so much!

I mean, I loved it the first time, but now that everything’s real, and we both know we’re head over heels for each other?

I love our life, I love him, and I…I just want to thank God so, so much!

My heart feels like it’s about to burst no matter where I look.

Like this upper deck alone…

He’s turned it into a reading nook ever since I shyly admitted to wanting to go back to school. He’s the most supportive husband ever, making sure that our sailing schedule and social calendar revolve around the demands of my online course⁠—

“We’re waiting, Caristia.”

Oops.

I clear my throat. “Good morning. My case study today will be about Patient John 3:16–”

Some of my classmates smile while a few curl their lips and roll their eyes at me. Most, however, just look at me like I’m crazy.

“Her current location is somewhere…warm, and her lifestyle…”

Huh?

I’m distracted by the way everyone’s faces share a similar look of curiosity and…envy? I’ve made sure that the angle of my laptop camera doesn’t show where I am⁠—

“I missed you.”