The morning sun had barely risen when Ashley's sharp knock jolted me awake.
"Carter! You're late!" she barked through the door.
I glanced at my watch—5:45 AM. My shift didn't start until six.
"I'll be right out," I called, quickly changing into my uniform.
Ashley was waiting in the corridor, arms crossed. "Galley duty today. Silver needs polishing."
I followed her down to the ship's lower level, where rows of silverware gleamed under harsh fluorescent lights. The head chef barely glanced at me as Ashley handed me a cloth and a jar of polish.
"All of it," she said, gesturing to the mountains of silver platters, forks, and goblets. "By noon."
I sank into a chair, my muscles already protesting from yesterday's deck scrubbing. The silver was cold against my fingers as I began to work.
Three hours later, my hands were raw and stained gray. I'd barely made a dent in the pile.
"Valerie Carter?" A woman in a crisp blazer appeared in the doorway. Her name tag read 'Sophia Martinez, Event Coordinator.'
Ashley straightened immediately. "She's busy."
"I need servers for tonight's gala," Sophia said, her eyes scanning me critically. "All hands on deck. The Platinum guests expect perfection."
"She's too inexperienced," Ashley protested. "She'll drop something and embarrass us all."
"I'll take responsibility." Sophia's tone brooked no argument. "The gala is more important than silver polish."
Ashley's face tightened, but she nodded stiffly. "Fine. But if she makes a mistake—"
"She won't," Sophia cut her off, then turned to me. "Follow me."
The event storage room was a treasure trove of elegance—rows of designer uniforms, crystal glasses, and flower arrangements waiting to be deployed.
"We need twenty additional servers," Sophia explained, rifling through racks of black and white dresses. "The grand gala is our most prestigious event."
She pulled out a sleek black dress with subtle silver accents. "Try this."
The fabric felt impossibly soft against my skin after days in coarse uniforms. The dress fit perfectly—hugging my curves before flaring slightly at my knees.
"Perfect," Sophia nodded approvingly. "Wear your hair up. The guests expect a certain... aesthetic."
As she bustled away to find shoes, I caught the attention of two other servers chatting nearby.
"Did you hear?" one whispered, not noticing me. "Mr. Riley himself is coming tonight."
My heart stuttered.
"Which Mr. Riley?" her friend asked.
"The CEO of Riley Corporation, duh! The one who married into the Carpenter fortune." She sighed dreamily. "He's so handsome."
"I heard he never travels without his Platinum Card," the other replied. "And that he's bringing some important business associates."
I gripped the edge of the counter, my knuckles white. Brayden was here. On this ship. And he had no idea I was watching his every move.
Hours later, the grand ballroom transformed into a fairy tale. Crystal chandeliers cast rainbow prisms across marble floors. Champagne flowed freely as tuxedos and evening gowns swirled in a dance of wealth and power.
I balanced a tray of canapés, my heart pounding so hard I feared others could hear it. The weight of the tray was nothing compared to the heaviness in my chest.
"Serve the center tables first," the head server instructed. "Those are the VIPs."
I moved through the crowd, a ghost in their midst. No one looked at me—just at the food I carried.
Then I saw him.
Brayden stood across the room, devastatingly handsome in his tailored tuxedo. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his smile confident as he laughed with a group of men in equally expensive suits.
For a moment—just a moment—I wanted to believe. Wanted to think there was an explanation for everything. That he was still the man who'd promised to love me forever.
"Mr. Riley!" A voice cut through my thoughts.
Neo Lynch strode into the ballroom like he owned it. His entourage fanned out behind him—the same men from the restaurant, plus several more in expensive suits.
Brayden's face lit up. Not with surprise or discomfort—with genuine pleasure.
"Neo!" he called, stepping forward to clasp the other man's hand warmly. "Right on time."
They embraced like old friends. Brayden's hand slapped Neo's back familiarly.
"I was starting to think you wouldn't make it," Brayden said, his voice carrying across the suddenly quieter room.
"Wouldn't miss it," Neo replied, his eyes scanning the crowd possessively.
I froze, my tray trembling in my hands as I watched my husband greet a criminal with the warmth he once reserved for me.
"Let me introduce you to some potential investors," Brayden said, guiding Neo toward a group of older men in the corner.
My breath caught painfully in my chest as I realized the truth.
This wasn't business.
This was betrayal.
