CHAPTER 172

Oliver leaned against the railing of the cruise ship, breathing in the salty sea air. He looked out at the vast expanse of blue before him, feeling a sense of peace wash over him. He had always been drawn to the ocean, to its wildness and its beauty, and it was one of the things that had compelled him to accept his stepbrother's invitation to join them on this journey.

As he stood there, lost in his thoughts, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind him. He turned to see his stepbrother, Jack, and Jack's wife, Sarah, walking towards him.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Jack said, standing next to Oliver and gazing out at the sea.

"Yeah," Oliver replied, nodding his head. "It's incredible."

Sarah stepped closer to them, a small smile on her face, but Oliver could see the tightness in her jaw, the way her eyes narrowed slightly when she looked at him. He knew she didn't like him, didn't approve of him, and he couldn't help but feel like an intruder in their family.

"It's lovely, d