I closed my eyes and tried to calm down.
An hour later, the bed dipped next to me.
Mark wrapped his arms around me from behind,
like he always did.
My body went stiff.
In the dark, I spoke.
“Mark, did you really break things off with
Brittany?”
The person behind me froze.
く
Then he said, “Of course, honey.”
“I wouldn’t lie to you.”
My heart sank.
Since when had Mark become like this?
When had he become someone I didn’t even
recognize?
I turned to face him.
In the dim light, I looked into his eyes.
“Mark, don’t lie to me.”
“If you lie to me, I’ll never forgive you.”
“I’ll leave you forever.”
Mark stared at me, stunned.
<
8:11
Then he looked at me, all earnest.
- ))
“Amy, I swear. I would never lie to you. I can’t afford to lose you.”
We looked at each other for a long time.
His eyes were so bright.
I couldn’t see a hint of guilt.
Finally, I closed my eyes and swallowed the
bitterness in my heart.
The third of July came quickly.
Mark took me out on the deck.
Someone flirted with him.
He pulled me close and wrapped his arms
around me.
45
“Sorry, I have a wife and I love her.”
“She is the only woman for, me.”
The woman looked at me, envious.
She said I was lucky to have such a handsome,
rich, and devoted husband.
I forced a smile.
My eyes flickered to the figure in white.
That night, Mark took me out on the deck to
look at the stars.
His phone kept buzzing.
I saw him frown.
“Do you have an emergency?”
<
8:11
((
45
Mark turned off his phone and shook his head.
“No. My time is all yours, Amy. I’ve really
changed. You have to believe me.”
I smiled and said okay, but I didn’t say I
believed him.
Mark seemed restless.
He pressed his lips together and frowned.
I didn’t say anything.
Finally, he spoke.
“Amy, I have to take care of some work.”
“Can you hang out here for a bit?”
“Is it urgent?”
<
8:11
More like, *Is someone getting impatient?*
“Okay. Go ahead.”
45
Mark kissed my forehead and ruffled my hair.
“You’re the best, Amy. You’re so understanding.
I’ll be back soon. Wrap yourself in a blanket so you don’t catch a cold.”
As soon as Mark left, I lost interest.
I followed him.
He went into the room next to mine and shut
the door.
I quickly heard whispers.
“Honey, I’m so jealous. You spent all day with
her. I want you to spend the whole night with
me.”
<
“Not tonight. I’ll take you out by yourself next
time. My time will be all yours.”
“Just let me see the baby.”
I heard what I needed to hear.
I turned around and got the waiter.
“Is the boat ready?”
“Yes, it is. You can leave any time.”
I got off the cruise ship and got on the boat.
As I was leaving, my phone kept buzzing.
“I bet you saw me, right? Do you believe that
Mark loves me now?”
“To make me happy during the pregnancy, he’s
been putting birth control pills in your milk. I
feel bad for you!”
<
8:11
45
“He promised me that he’d divorce you and
marry me after I had the baby. Now I’m going to
be Mrs. Mark.”
“So what if you’re his childhood sweetheart?
The new girl always wins.”
The picture showed Mark holding Brittany’s
face and kissing her.
I turned off the screen and handed the phone to
the waiter.
“Give this to the guy I came with. Tell him Amy
doesn’t want him anymore.”
The waiter looked confused, but my boat was
already leaving.
Chapter Two
For some reason, Mark felt uneasy.
<
8:12
45
