Chapter 1

My mother was in critical condition. I had just bought a ferry ticket, desperate to rush to the mainland to see her one last time.

But just as I was about to board, my colleague at the ticket gate stopped me.

"Your ticket is invalid, Chloe. The Captain transferred your boarding pass to Mia."

As he spoke, he handed me a digital transfer agreement on his tablet.

There, in bold digital ink, was the signature of my husband, Jackson—the captain of this very ship.

Thinking of my dying mother, my blood boiled. I marched straight to Jackson’s office.

When I confronted him, he didn't care at all that his mother-in-law was dying. Instead, he glared at me, accusing me of throwing a tantrum.

"Mia has been waiting for this concert on the mainland for two years. If she misses tonight’s ferry, she won’t make it in time. She’ll definitely file a formal complaint against the cruise line!"

"I am the Captain, Chloe. I have to worry about our customer satisfaction ratings. As my wife, you need to be supportive."

"If I let you on the ship anyway, my crew will whisper behind my back about nepotism. I suggest you take tomorrow's ferry. Besides, it’s not like your mom is going to drop dead tonight anyway."

I let out a cold, bitter laugh. I grabbed the divorce papers I had already drafted and slammed them right into his face.

"Sign this. Let’s get a divorce. That way, you won’t have to worry about me anymore."

"Chloe, your mom's condition is terrible!"

"She’s barely holding on, using every ounce of her strength just to wait for you."

Hearing my father’s sobbing voice over the phone, I threw my pride away. I turned back to Jackson and begged.

"Jackson, please, I’m begging you. This is the last ferry tonight. I have to get on it!"

"Mia can see a concert anytime, but my mom can't wait until tomorrow!"

Jackson spared me a cold, dismissive glance. "Chloe, Mia has waited two years for this night. Don't be so selfish."

"Besides, you know how old people are. They love to exaggerate their illness just to get attention. She’s just missing you. Stop trying to guilt-trip me with all this life-and-death drama!"

Just as I was about to scream at him, Mia walked into the office. She looked at me with that classic, patronizing pity.

"Jackson, see? I told you your wife would make a scene!"

"Sigh, if Chloe really needs to go, I’ll just give her back the ticket. After all, I’m just your platonic bro. I don't want to get in the way."

The moment Jackson heard that, he immediately turned to reassure her. "What are you talking about, Mia? The ticket is yours!"

I clamped down on my rage.

"Jackson! The only reason you became Captain in the first place was because my mother used her—"

Jackson’s face darkened instantly, and he cut me off.

"I became Captain through my own hard work! And another thing, we are supervisor and subordinate on this ship. Learn to maintain professional boundaries!"

"If I give you the ticket and kick Mia off, she might report me. Do you want to ruin my career?"

"Alright, enough. Go back, give your mom a call, and wait for tomorrow’s ferry."

Jackson took Mia by the hand and led her onto the ship. I stood alone on the dock, watching the ferry slowly pull away into the dark ocean, heading toward the mainland.

Ten years ago, he was just a low-level mate. Because of his terrible social skills and blunt mouth, he was ostracized by everyone and almost fired.

It was my mother who used her connections in the shipping company to save his job and pave his way to the captain's chair.

Back then, he swore he would cherish me and treat my mother like his own.

Now, he had personally broken his promise, denying me the chance to say goodbye to my dying mom.

There were no flights on this small island. The ferry was the only way out.

I desperately called every friend and contact I had. Finally, I managed to rent a private fishing boat at an exorbitant price.

During the bumpy ride, a few notifications popped up on our Snapchat group chat.

【@Jackson: We made it to the venue! My bro is the most reliable guy ever. Got me to the concert right on time!】

Attached was a selfie of Mia at the concert. She was smiling brightly, winking at the camera.

Jackson replied instantly: 【When did I ever let you down?】

The Snapchat group only had four people. Besides the three of us, there was my close friend, Ethan.

Originally, when Jackson insisted on bringing Mia into our lives as his "platonic bro," I had invited Ethan—who used to have a crush on me—into the group to make Jackson jealous. But Jackson had barely cared.

Watching the two of them flirt shamelessly in the group, my mind almost snapped.

I had to take several deep breaths to keep my hands from shaking.

I tapped on Ethan’s profile and sent him a private message.

On the fishing boat, I kept urging the captain to go faster, telling him money was no object.

A few minutes later, my dad’s number flashed on my screen again.

My heart squeezed. A suffocating dread washed over me.

When I answered, there was only dead silence on the other end.

I don't know how long passed. The freezing sea wind made me shiver, and then, my dad’s heartbroken, agonizing sob shattered the silence. "Chloe... your mom... she’s gone!"

"She couldn't even close her eyes... She died staring at your picture..."

All the strength was sucked out of my body. I stumbled, almost falling over the railing into the dark water.

By the time I rushed back to my hometown, my mother was already dressed for her final rest, lying quietly in the casket at the funeral home.

I ran to her, grabbing her cold, stiff hand, and cried until my voice went hoarse.

I had failed her. I didn't make it.

For the next few days, I went completely numb, greeting grieving relatives like a ghost.