Page 37 of Mark

“Freya?” Esther calls, her tone hesitant.

I let out a breath and turn to her. “I just need five minutes, Esther.”

“He loves me, Freya,” she comments, which has my shoulders tensing. “I need to know you are okay with him choosing me.”

“There’s no one around so you can lose the act,” I accuse.

“I don’t know what you mean,” she replies sweetly, but there’s a hint of pity in her tone.

And out of all people, I don’t wantherpitying me.

“Yes, you do,” I fume. “I don’t give a flying fuck about you and Danny. I haven’t for a very long time.”

“You don’t need to lie to me,” she accuses.

“Esther, even if he were to break up with you tomorrow and wanted me back, he wouldn’t stand a chance. Don’t take your insecurities out on me.”

“I’m not insecure about my relationship,” she bites out.

I arch a brow. “I would be if I was you. If he could cheat on me with my own sister, what’s stopping him from doing the same to you? I wouldn’t keep bragging about him choosing you, sister, because one day, he might choose someone else.”

And this is why I remove myself from situations. So I don’t react like this.

Her eyes bug out at my accusation. She doesn’t know I knew they were together before he broke up with me. But once they came forward with their announcement, I evaluated the last few months of our relationship, going over every little detail to see what I had missed. I wanted to understand why he would end it when things were so good. I stupidly sat crying all night, blaming myself. When all along, I didn’t do anything wrong.

Months prior to the breakup, he said he was working away. Yet two times someone claimed to have seen him. He denied it, and I laughed it off with him, even if there was a part of me that wondered.

And then it was my birthday party. Both he and Esther were late arriving. Esther arrived first, and ten minutes later, Danny showed up.

I had been so stupid.

Her expression hardens. “Just because he cheated on you, doesn’t mean he’ll do the same to me. He loves me. I know that’s hard for you to understand but he does. You need to move on.”

“I moved on the second he broke up with me, Esther. It’syouwho is not quite grasping that, and it’syouwho needs to move on,” I snap. “And if you ever think of pushing Mike onto me again, I will tell Danny you slept with Eddie the day after Danny and I broke up.”

“We weren’t together then,” she lies.

I snort. “If that’s what you want to go with, carry on. Doesn’t change the facts.”

Tears gather in her eyes but I know it’s for show. “I just want this wedding to bring us all together. I don’t understand why you can’t be happy for me,” she blubbers. “You’re my sister and I want you to be happy.”

“Seriously, Freya,” Danny snaps, and I jerk at his arrival. I hadn’t even heard him approach. “We’re getting married the day after tomorrow, and you decide now to upset your sister.”

Esther sniffles, leaning in close to him. “I’m worried she’ll say or do anything to try and break us up.”

Oh, she’s good. Seriously fucking good.

I’m done with this crap. I’m done with the drama and her.

I glare at her, wishing I could punch her in her perfect face. “If you are that afraid that’s what I’m trying to do, I hope you have a beautiful day. Because I won’t be there. I’m sick of the fucking bullshit. I’m over this. I wouldn’t be on this cruise if I had a problem with you getting married. The only one who seems to be stringing that notion out, is you.”

“Freya!” Mum scolds. “What did I warn you about before coming?”

I throw my hands up, turning to Mum and Dad. “Of course you immediately take her side. The second this ship stops at the next island, I’m going home.”

Mum grabs my wrist as I go to walk off, and I become aware of the audience watching. Not only are my family gathered around, but so are the Carters. All of them have paused to watch the spectacle.

“You will do no such thing. Your sister is getting married and you will do your duty and be there for her. What are you going to do when they have children? Will you ignore your nieces and nephews?”

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