Chapter 17.
Christina went looking for Percy, presenting herself as the flawless, immaculate lady she believed herself to be. She sensed the secret glances sent her way by various men and smiled to herself.
She didn’t even need to dress up—Christina was beautiful enough as she was. People were bound to like her. They always had, and she was certain they always would.
She had no doubt that Percy would eventually change his mind about her as well.
Percy’s cabin was located a little farther away from hers. Ideally, she would have stayed right next to his room, but because this was the Della Cruz, things didn’t go exactly the way she wanted.
Well, whatever.
The cabin’s location didn’t matter.
What did it matter when Percy would eventually be the one to come to her room anyway?
“Percy, are you in there?”
She knocked on the door, but heard no response. She tried the doorknob, but it was firmly locked.
Is he out?
Well, Percy was practically the future owner of the Della Cruz. Hadn’t Lady Sylvia Heskett said long ago that she intended to hand the ship over to him?
Maybe he was looking around, familiarizing himself with the ship that would one day be his.
Christina turned and stepped out of the suite area. If he wasn’t in his room, she had no idea where to look for him.
Where did he go and leave me behind like this?
A sigh slipped out. Percy had hurt her more than once, sharply shutting down her affectionate advances.
What she couldn’t understand was that this was happening to Christina Hughes—not to some insignificant woman, but to her.
What’s wrong with me? I’m perfect.
She had thought about it for days and concluded there was only one possible issue.
Percy’s wife.
That woman was the root of everything. Christina didn’t know what happened between them, but because of Greta, Percy kept drifting.
And if there was anyone capable of guiding him back onto the proper path, it was Christina.
While wandering around in search of Percy, Christina overheard unfamiliar female voices.
“Did you see how Mr. Collins treated Miss Summers?”
“He’s always cold to women…”
“Maybe they knew each other before? That’s how they look to me. It seemed like they’ve known each other for a long time.”
“But even then, didn’t something feel off? Just my opinion, but I’m sure Mr. Collins is interested in Miss Summers—”
“Lovely evening, ladies.”
Christina inserted herself into their conversation. The women jumped in surprise, eyes wide like startled rabbits.
“M–Miss Hughes!”
Someone in the group awkwardly greeted her.
“We were wondering where you were, since you weren’t at the party.”
“Don’t mind me. More importantly, about that conversation earlier… Can you tell me more?”
The women exchanged anxious glances. Christina’s tone remained refined and calm, but her eyes told a very different story.
She looks like she’s on edge…
Someone, desperate to send Christina away, quickly spoke.
“You’re looking for Mr. Collins, right? We saw him heading down those stairs earlier. Probably toward the outdoor terrace. If there’s any place he’d go…”
“Was he with another woman?”
The woman hesitated, then nodded.
“Yes, but don’t worry too much. It doesn’t mean anything. We all thought it was ridiculous. Him suddenly having a new woman? That’s nothing like him, right?”
Just moments ago, they were whispering about how obvious his interest was—but now they forced awkward smiles and nodded.
Christina didn’t care what excuses they offered. Whether it was true or not, she would decide that herself.
“Thanks.”
She headed in the direction they pointed. Her heart pounded. No. It can’t be. Percy? With another woman? After treating me so cruelly?
If it were true… what then?
Christina strode forward so forcefully that people instinctively moved out of her way.
She reached the entrance to the terrace.
Ignoring a staff member’s attempt to stop her, she yanked aside the velvet curtain that blocked the VIP section. Rational thought had already abandoned her.
There he was—Percy—standing against the backdrop of the dark ocean. A red-haired woman stood with him. They were too close to pretend otherwise.
Christina watched as Percy leaned toward the woman, whispering something into her ear. Then he gently intertwined his fingers with hers.
As if he genuinely cared for her.
Christina snapped.
She grabbed a vase sitting on a nearby table and hurled it to the floor.
CRASH!
The two jolted apart. Percy looked up in shock—and when he recognized her, his expression turned cold.
As if he were silently saying:
You again?
Why wasn’t she the one standing beside him?
Why was Percy spending intimate time with another woman instead of her?
He had never offered Christina a single kind word.
She tried to hold back—but she couldn’t. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she fled the terrace. She didn’t want to accept what she had just seen.
Why not me?! Why?!
She ducked into a quiet corner of the ship, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.
Just then—
“Crissy, why are you sulking here all alone?”
Christina scowled and lifted her head. A handsome blond man in an immaculate suit stood before her, wearing a faint smirk.
Percy’s half-brother. Kyle Erickson.
He must have come to mock her.
Christina leapt to her feet and snapped,
“Get lost, Kyle!”
“Sure. Nice to see you too.”
“Go away! Leave me alone!”
“What happened, hmm? Did Collins stab your delicate little heart?”
His words sounded like sympathy, but they were nothing but mockery. Or maybe he just found an opportunity to amuse himself while she was vulnerable.
Christina hated him. Not just because he was infamous for his hedonistic lifestyle, but because he constantly tried to trip Percy up—his rival for inheritance.
Percy’s enemy was Christina’s enemy.
“Don’t talk to me. Don’t follow me!”
“Whatever happened, cheer up. You’ll get another chance to go fawn over him. He’ll reject you again, though.”
Christina didn’t turn back. She stormed away. Kyle watched her retreating figure with amusement, then his smile deepened.
Percy Collins had a new woman. That much was certain.
Interesting.
This voyage on the Della Cruz was about to become entertaining.
Christina made it back to her cabin without seeing anyone else. That was the only fortunate thing today—though it hardly mattered. Her mood was already at rock bottom, and Kyle Erickson had stomped on what remained.
She sank onto her bed, trying to calm herself. Someone knocked.
She snapped irritably,
“Who is it?!”
“Christina, is something wrong?”
It was her older sister, Eliza.
Christina hesitated, then answered coldly.
“I want to be alone.”
“Can’t I come in? I’m worried.”
Annoyance flared. Christina sprang to her feet and opened the door herself.
Eliza stood there—beautiful, concerned. She didn’t have Christina’s golden hair, but her elegance made such details irrelevant. Eliza looked like a woman painted inside a portrait.
Christina regretted opening the door. This was the last face she wanted to see right now.
“Did you… cry?”
Eliza reached out gently, but Christina slapped her hand away.
“I said I want to be alone.”
“You weren’t at the party. I looked everywhere for you. I was worried something happened—”
“Nothing happened.”
She understood Eliza’s concern. But pity was the last thing she wanted. Eliza had never been of any real help to her.
“Why do you even care about someone like me? Just treat me like everyone else!”
“You’re my sister, Chris.”
Eliza’s voice was firm.
“I know what you’re thinking. But I told you—I believe you. What happened to Sharon wasn’t your fault—”
“Good night, Eliza.”
Unable to hold it in any longer, Christina shut the door in her sister’s face.
She slid down against the door, consumed by humiliation. Everything felt orchestrated to make her miserable. Nothing existed to spare her from this wretchedness.
After sitting like that for a long time, Christina made up her mind.
Percy belongs to me. I will have him.
She would not let him be taken away.
No matter how many times Percy rejected her, Christina refused to give up.
She had sacrificed enough in her life.
She would not sacrifice him.
