Loving Him Led Me to Eternal Ruin

David stiffened, a look of shock crossing his face before it twisted into something more ruthless.

"Olivia dead? Impossible. She's ex-Special Forces, for crying out loud. She's either playing possum or she's just passed out. Douse her with cold water or jab her with adrenaline. That'll do the trick. Once she comes to, have her crawl here and apologize!"

The crewman at the door stuttered, visibly shaken, "But... sir..."

"But what? Just do it! Unless you fancy hanging there in her place?"

Scared witless, the crewman nodded quickly and hurried off.

Daisy frowned, her voice laced with feigned concern, "David, if something really has happened to Olivia, I'd feel awful. Maybe we should just let this go."

David scoffed, "Olivia's a temptress. She's got even the new guys wrapped around her finger pleading for her. Don't bother worrying; who knows how many guys she's charmed behind our backs?"

Daisy laughed lightly, "True, Olivia's always been a charmer. Wouldn't surprise me if the first mate or some of the others have already let her go."

David grimaced, "Charmer? She's nothing but a wanton harlot!"

Even as a ghost, rage made me shiver.

Moments before, I'd foolishly hoped David might be devastated by my death, perhaps even weep.

But his cold response was a harsh wake-up call.

How ridiculous I had been, expecting anything from such a man.

The man I had loved was nothing but a callous brute.

A tide of hatred swelled within me, the physical agony of my death resurfacing.

Outside, a storm raged, lightning slicing through the thunderous sky.

Daisy clutched David, her voice trembling, "Oh my gosh, is a storm brewing?"

David held her close, annoyance clear on his face, "They said no severe weather was expected! Why the sudden thunder?"

A crew member from an adjacent cabin responded, "Sea weather's unpredictable, sir. Visibility is low; it could be risky. We need the captain at the helm."

He was referring to me, yet here I was, deceased.

Daisy suddenly seemed genuinely frightened, "Quick, let Olivia steer, David. You hate water, and I don't want you in danger."

Moved yet stern, David ordered the crew, "Get her to the helm now!"

The crew hesitated, their unease evident. David's impatience flared, "Am I not in charge anymore? Or is she defying me deliberately?"

Without waiting for a response, David marched forward, striding directly to the deck.

As he flung open the door, he recoiled, covering his nose.

"What's this stench? Smells like blood. Did someone butcher something here? I told you before, no killing on board! How big was this fish?"

The crew stood frozen, their hands shaking as they administered adrenaline to my lifeless form.

Annoyed, David kicked one of them, "Cat got your tongue?"

His mouth fell open in disbelief, and he stumbled back until his back hit the wall, stammering,

"What in the world is this?"