His Last Choice, My First Gambit

I remembered one time after we were married, Preston came home drunk.

I helped him to his room and suggested he drink less. In response, he flew into a rage and violently hurled his glass against the wall.

Shards of glass sprayed across my calf, and blood immediately welled from the cuts.

I cried out, the sight of my own blood making the pain feel sharper.

Preston just stood there, watching me coldly.

"It hurts, doesn't it? When Lily died, I bet she was in a thousand times more pain than you! But she's gone now! If I hadn't saved you, she wouldn't have drowned! Coralie, this is all your fault!"

A chill spread through me as his words sank in, freezing my heart.

After a long silence, I finally found my voice. "Preston, your rivals sabotaged the yacht, and you were the one who chose to save me! Now you're blaming me? Are you insane?"

The drunkenness vanished from Preston's face, replaced by an even deeper cold.

"Coralie, I never wanted this marriage. If you hadn't told my grandmother you liked me, I wouldn't have been forced into this."

I let out a bitter, hollow laugh. He was pathetic.

"So this is all on me? Not your rivals, not your family—me. You're a coward, Preston."

With that, I turned and left, calling a car to take me to the hospital.

From that moment on, our relationship was shattered. And from that moment on, I never showed him an ounce of vulnerability again.

Yet now, this stranger was being so careful, so afraid of hurting me.

My eyes suddenly stung. I quickly turned my head, taking a deep breath to force back the tears.

"Thank you," I said.

Julian looked up, his smile disarmingly warm. "You're welcome."

"Mr. Thorne, are you in there?" A voice called from outside.

A man in pajamas and black-rimmed glasses stood in the doorway. His gaze lingered on Julian for a second before landing on me.

"Sir, you wanted me to take a look at our guest?"

Julian nodded and turned to me. "This is our ship's doctor. I asked him to give you a quick check-up."

I nodded.

Julian stepped aside for Dr. Miles.

The doctor gave me a simple examination and asked a few questions before concluding I was fine, just deeply fatigued.

Dr. Miles stood up and addressed Julian. "Ms. Vance doesn't have any serious injuries. She's just exhausted from exposure. All she needs is rest."

Julian nodded and walked Dr. Miles to the door, exchanging a few quiet words.

While they were talking, I glanced out the porthole. The rain was lashing down, and the sea was a black, churning void. I felt a strange sense of relief to be safe inside.

When Julian returned, he said softly, "We're about to dock. Where do you live? I can give you a ride."

For some selfish reason, I didn't want to go home.

My parents were rarely there, and even when they were, I hardly saw them.

Besides, given their track record, they probably wouldn't notice if I disappeared for a month.

As for Preston... if I got a second chance, he probably did too. He was likely holding Lily right now, cherishing this new beginning with her.

We were married for five years in our past life. He never took me to a single social event, never once shared my bed. He seized control of my family's company and cut off my finances. When anyone asked about me, he'd just sneer, turning me into the butt of every joke in our circle.

They could have their happily ever after.

I glanced at Julian, my voice taking on a pleading tone. "I have nowhere to go. Could you... let me stay with you for a few days?"

He didn't answer immediately, so I tugged on his sleeve, looking up at him with wide, watery eyes.

If I remembered correctly, he was the youngest son of the Thorne family.

In my past life, when I wanted a divorce, he was the only one who had tried to help me. He was a good person.

Seeing my pitiful expression, he suddenly lowered his head, his gaze intense. "I'm not the good guy you might think I am. Staying with me comes at a price."

His sudden proximity made my head spin. I could smell the faint, clean scent of cedar on him.

"Fine. Whatever you want."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course," I replied firmly. He suddenly smiled.

However, before anything more could happen, the yacht docked.

I’d been in the sea for so long that a fever was beginning to set in.

As Julian was carrying me off the boat, a familiar voice called out.

"Coralie? Is that really you?"