Revenge Gone Wrong

I glared at Quentin, the guy I'd been living with for three years. I could taste a slight metallic tang in my mouth.

He clamped down on my jaw and flashed a sinister smile. "You look just like your mom. I have no idea how I stood you for these three years."

The look of disgust in his eyes hit me like a punch. He shoved my jaw aside and immediately wiped his hand with a tissue.

"Your dad is my stepdad. Your mom couldn't even keep her husband in check but had the nerve to blame my mom for stealing him. She drove my mom to her death! Your mom—Veronica Grant—forced her to die! You'd better stay put, or I'll make you and your mom vanish from this ship without a trace."

Quentin's words slammed into me, leaving me paralyzed. I didn't even notice when he walked out. The small cabin went dead silent. It was so quiet I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.

I ran to the door, grabbed the handle, and twisted it with all my might. It was locked. I banged on the door and shouted for help.

A few moments later, a man's voice came from outside. "Can I help you?"

He sounded like a crew member.

"I'm locked in! Can you open the door, please?" I yelled.

My whole body was shaking as I waited for an answer. Soon, I heard the knob rattle. I pulled the door open and found myself staring into the attendant's surprised eyes.

Without a second thought, I blurted, "The medical center. Where's the medical center?"

He was about to speak, but his eyes drifted past me. He lowered his head a little and said, "Mr. Yale."

I froze.

Quentin's voice, smooth and even, sounded from behind me. "My wife's been struggling mentally. It's been getting worse lately, and she's been acting out. Don't take it too seriously. Make sure the other staff is aware."

The attendant shot me a sympathetic look before turning to leave.

Desperation flooded me, and I grabbed his arm. "No! That's not true! Please, help me get to the medical center! I need to see my mom!"

Quentin grabbed my hair and yanked it hard. A sharp pain shot through my scalp, scattering my thoughts. He roughly dragged me back into the cabin and slammed the door behind us, his eyes dark and threatening.

I mustered all my strength and got to my feet. I forced the tremor out of my voice as I demanded, "What are you trying to do? How's my mom? I need to see her!"

Quentin ignored my desperate pleas and sat down on the couch, watching me with a twisted grin.

"The Grants really hit rock bottom, huh?" he taunted. "How did they end up raising someone as dumb as you? What am I trying to do? I want you and your mom under my thumb for good.

"I've got a stake in this cruise. If I decide to, your mom's life could be gone in the blink of an eye. So you'd better play along. I might let you live a little easier for our kid's sake."

I was at a loss for words. For three years, I thought I had a happy life. I never realized that everything between us was just a web of lies.

Once he was done talking, he left the cabin and locked the door behind him, just as I expected. I frantically searched the cabin for my phone, only to realize it was gone, along with my IDs.

The sound of the waves crashing against the hull felt like death drawing nearer, filling me with a heavy, suffocating fear.

Quentin didn't return for two days, and each day, an attendant would bring me my meals.

One night, I realized the attendant had forgotten to lock the door. When I pulled it open, I almost cried from relief.

After making sure the hallway was empty, I slipped out. My nerves were so taut that I could barely stop my whole body from shaking as I crept down the long hallway.

I was nearing the end when I heard a familiar voice that made every hair on my body prickle. It was Quentin. Then I heard him say my name.

I hesitated, but after a beat, I decided to creep closer to the slightly open door.