On the screen the laughter started again. The women moved closer to Carlos once more. The conversation changed quickly to other easy topics, music, the weather, plans for the evening. They spoke as if the earlier words had meant nothing at all.
As if she had meant nothing.
The ocean continued behind them, bright and wide, completely indifferent. The yacht cut through the water smoothly, the engine humming steadily.
Carlos stood among the women, relaxed and unbothered, laughing at something one of them said. The sunlight made his face look bright and carefree.
Daniella stared at the screen. Her breathing stayed shallow. Her body did not move, but her mind turned over everything she had just seen and heard. The morning light from the open balcony doors still fell across the bed and her hands, warm and steady, but it felt distant now.
This was not only betrayal.
This was not only lies.
This was something colder.
He had used her on purpose.
