2026-10-30 17:59:19
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Chapter 10
Lucas had been missing at sea for nearly two days.During those forty-eight hours, Claire barely closed her eyes for a single minute.Her expensive business clothes were wrinkled, her hair was tied back in a messy knot, and dark purple shadows circled her bloodshot eyes. She refused to go back to the hotel, sitting on the cold plastic bench in the harbor base hallway like a ghost.Every time the low rumble of a rescue boat sounded outside the harbor basin, she scrambled to her feet and ran out to the docks.Whenever a stretcher was carried down the gangway, she pushed through the medical workers to look at the survivor's face.She checked every name on the rescue sheets, asking the divers the same questions until her voice turned into a hoarse whisper."Ms. Hayes, you have to sit down and drink some water," her assistant begged, holding out a paper cup with trembling hands. "You haven't slept in two days. If you keep going like this, your body will collapse."Claire pushed the cup awa
Chapter 9
The search went on through the entire night, but the storm showed no mercy.Out on the open water, searchlights swept across the rolling black waves, finding nothing but floating debris and twisted pieces of metal.Claire did not leave the harbor for a single minute.Every time a patrol boat returned or an ambulance pulled up to a dockside clinic, she ran through the rain to check the names of the survivors.She went from the emergency room at the central port hospital to the temporary medical tents set up along the pier, searching every face beneath the foil blankets.Whenever someone called out that an unidentified crew member had been brought ashore, her heart leaped into her throat, only to crash into complete despair when she saw a stranger's face.Her phone in her pocket buzzed constantly throughout the morning.There were urgent calls from her company directors about an offshore contract, text messages from clients, and repeated calls from Julian asking about Leo.For the first
Chapter 8
Claire drove through the heavy rain toward the maritime rescue base, her hands trembling so hard she could barely hold the steering wheel.The windshield wipers swept violently against the glass, but the road ahead remained a blur. All she could hear in her head was the duty officer's grim voice telling her that Lucas's boat had flipped in the outer reef.She abandoned her car near the main gate and ran into the operations building, soaked in rainwater.The lobby was filled with the tense hum of radios and ringing phones. Rescue staff in yellow waterproof jackets moved hurriedly between rooms, clutching weather maps and casualty sheets.Claire rushed straight to the front reception desk, her breath ragged. "I'm looking for Team Leader Lucas Cole. Where is he? Has there been any news from the search teams?"The young officer behind the desk looked up in surprise. "Ma'am, who are you?""I'm his wife," Claire said, wiping the cold rain from her face. "Claire Hayes. I received a call sayi
Chapter 7
Before dawn, the emergency phone rang in the base dormitory.Director Vance called Lucas into the command office, pointing toward the live radar display on the wall.A violent storm had shifted back toward the coast, kicking up massive waves across the outer reef.A large passenger ship carrying over two hundred people had suffered complete power failure and was drifting toward the rocks."It's a bad one, Lucas," Vance said, his face lined with heavy concern."Your leg still hasn't fully healed from the survey wreck, and you have a family waiting at home. You don't have to lead this rescue boat.""I can assign Team Leader Miller's relief team to take point while you coordinate from the dock," Vance offered quietly.Lucas looked at the radar tracking the drifting passenger vessel in the storm."The water out there is dangerous, Director. Nobody on our team knows those shallow rocks better than I do.""Those passengers don't have time for a crew that has to second-guess the approach," L
Chapter 6
Claire drove home with the divorce agreement sitting on the passenger seat beside her, the dark date at the bottom burning into her mind.He had signed it while lying in that hospital bed, before she had even walked through the door.A tight knot of panic twisted in her stomach, but by the time she stepped through her front door, she had already forced the fear down. She told herself Lucas was simply overwhelmed after the accident. He had nearly drowned, his leg was broken, and his pride was hurt. It made sense that he would react badly in the heat of the moment.She tossed the folded papers onto the coffee table and sat down, refusing to pick up a pen.Julian walked out of the kitchen with a cup of warm water. He glanced at the table, and his eyes went wide when he read the bold heading."Claire..." Julian set the cup down, his voice trembling with guilt. "Is Lucas doing this because of me? If our being here is tearing your marriage apart, Leo and I will pack up and leave right now.
Chapter 5
Two days later, the port safety committee held the formal hearing on the survey ship crash.Lucas arrived at the maritime administration building in his uniform, walking slowly with a cane.Outside the hearing room doors, Claire stepped out to block his path."Lucas, wait," Claire said, keeping her voice down. "We need to talk before you go inside."Lucas looked at her quietly. "We have nothing to talk about, Claire. The hearing starts in five minutes.""This is about the hearing," Claire said, stepping closer. "When they ask what happened, don't put so much focus on Julian staying out in the storm."Lucas stopped, his eyes fixed on hers. "You want me to step back and cover for him again?""I am thinking about his little boy and the entire port project," Claire said, sounding defensive. "You have to consider the bigger picture.""Does the bigger picture mean I should take the blame for what he did?" Lucas asked."Nobody is asking you to take the blame!" Claire frowned. "I'm not asking
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