Chapter 385 : Fear Like Nothing Before

*Lucas*

The moment we made the final turn into the marina, I noticed him—just a silhouette at first, backlit by the fading sunlight. He was standing there on the dock, rigid, like one of those old lighthouses that withstood too many storms. A knot formed in my stomach, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

That he was there for me. That something had happened.

"Alright folks, I hope you enjoyed the tour," I announced to the passengers, but my eyes were fixed on the man waiting as if anchored to the spot. My hands tightened around the railing of the boat as the captain guided the ship toward the dock with ease as every possible bad scenario began to play out in my mind.

We docked, and I barely waited for the engine's last sputter before I was on my feet and moving across the deck, heart hammering against my ribs. My voice sounded distant, even to my own ears, "Thank you for sailing with us."