Chapter 3

3.

When I finally stepped out of the restroom, my hair was still dripping. Faye was nowhere to be seen.

The crew members looked at me with complicated expressions.

"What happened? Did something go wrong?" I asked, instantly alert.

Just then, the Co-pilot came out of the cockpit, looking awkward. "Nothing went wrong, it's just… Faye is in there. Luke told me to step out for a bit."

One of the girls couldn't hold it back. She whispered, "Gwen, he really doesn't respect you at all. You're out here working your tail off for this flight, and he's―"

I squeezed my palms so hard my nails dug in. "Don't let people like that interfere with our jobs," I barked.

I took a deep breath and told everyone to get back to their stations. The flight was only half over; I couldn't let things fall apart.

When it was time for the crew meals, I pushed the cart into the cockpit according to protocol.

As soon as I pushed the door open, I heard a girlish giggle.

Faye was wearing Luke's Captain jacket, sitting in the co-pilot's seat and posing for photos. Her movements were incredibly fake and theatrical.

She saw me and waved with a smile. "Gwen, I know the rules! I'll let the co-pilot back in soon. I'm just getting the experience."

Luke was leaning against the side, his eyes cold and distant. "Don't give me that self-righteous look. Are you going to go cry to the supervisors again? If you really want to marry me, stop with these petty games."

He stood up, walked over to me, and whispered with a sneer, "If you behave yourself, I'll take care of you. But if you dare target Faye like you did before, I won't let you off easily."

I almost smashed the meal tray over his head. The words "Hell no, I'm not marrying you" were on the tip of my tongue, but logic won out over rage.

This was a plane with hundreds of passengers. I couldn't let his behavior put them at risk.

I grit my teeth. "Understood."

Luke smiled, satisfied. "That's more like it. Now that you know your place, watch the door for me. Don't let anyone wander in."

I stood by the cockpit door. I could hear the whispers and light laughter from inside. The atmosphere of betrayal seeped into my heart like a needle.

Memories of us at the flight academy together bubbled up.

Back then, he would sit in the training room, stealing glances at me and smiling while he wrote his logs.

Later, when he became Captain, his eyes only saw "career" and "profit."

And I became nothing more than a stumbling block to his version of freedom.

I used to think he was just being manipulated.

But today, I finally realized that the kindness he once showed never truly belonged to me.

I don't know how much time passed before the door finally opened.

Faye's cheeks were flushed, and her legs looked a bit shaky. She walked out with a forced air of grace. "Sorry about that. I need to go to the restroom to… freshen up."

She brushed past me, her eyes full of the contempt of a winner.

I looked into the cockpit. Luke was buttoning his shirt. His movements were practiced, and there wasn't a hint of shame on his face.

Only the smug satisfaction of a man who'd just had exactly what he wanted.