Chapter 18 –
Vanessa's POV
The day passed in a whirl of steel and sunlight at Simandala Dockyards. Vanessa's team had hit a breakthrough on a new yacht design, and everyone buzzed with energy. Yet even through the excitement, her thoughts kept drifting back to Zack — the way he kissed her forehead that morning, the warmth of his laughter filling their kitchen.
By late afternoon, she packed up her sketches, humming softly to herself. The air carried that faint tang of sea breeze and oil — familiar, grounding. But her heart felt light, fluttery, full of him.
On her way home, she stopped at the market — buying fresh herbs, salmon, a bottle of white wine. Tonight would be simple but special. She wanted to celebrate… them.
Back at their apartment, she slipped into a soft cream dress, music playing low in the background. The place smelled of rosemary and garlic, candles flickering on the dining table. Everything felt perfect — the kind of quiet happiness that made her believe life could stay this beautiful forever.
But as the clock ticked past seven… then eight… then nine…
He hadn't come.
Her phone buzzed just as she sat down, forcing a smile as she answered.
"Hey, sailor," she said lightly. "Dinner's getting cold."
Zack's voice was warm, but there was a faint strain beneath it. "I know, sweetheart. I'm sorry. There's been a last-minute call. The ship's going ashore for some external work. I'll be gone for a couple of days."
Vanessa's heart dipped, but she forced a small laugh. "Already sending you off to sea again? We just got married, you know."
"I know," he said softly. "And it's the last thing I want. But I'll make it up to you, I promise."
"I'll hold you to that."
There was a pause — quiet, filled with something unspoken.
"Vanessa?"
"Yeah?"
"I love you," he said, his voice low, almost rough. "More than I've ever loved anything in my life."
Her chest tightened. "Then come home soon. I'll keep your dinner warm."
When the call ended, she sat there for a moment, staring at the flickering candlelight. Something about his voice lingered — that mix of tenderness and heaviness she couldn't quite name.
But she pushed it aside, whispering to herself, It's just work.
Zack's POV
The road stretched long and dark before him, the city lights fading behind the tinted glass of the car. He wasn't heading to the ship.
He was heading home — to the Hudson estate.
As the car climbed the winding driveway, memories pressed close — the heavy marble halls, his father's commanding voice, the weight of a legacy he'd walked away from.
He stepped out, his boots crunching against the gravel, every muscle taut with quiet defiance.
Inside, the grand foyer looked exactly as he'd left it: cold, beautiful, empty.
Mark Hudson stood near the staircase — tall, silver-haired, eyes sharp as cut glass.
"You finally came," he said. "You've kept your family waiting long enough."
Zack's jaw tightened. "I'm not here for the company."
His father's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Then perhaps for her."
From behind him stepped Sky Tyler — elegant in a tailored white suit, eyes the color of winter. She smiled softly. "Hello, Zack."
Zack exhaled slowly. "Sky."
"It's been a while," she said, voice smooth as silk. "Your father's been trying to bring you back to reason."
"I didn't lose reason," he said flatly. "I just found a life that isn't built on deals and names."
Mark's tone hardened. "You can't walk away from responsibility forever. Sky's family merger—"
"I'm married," Zack interrupted, his voice calm but cutting through the air like a blade.
For a moment, silence fell — thick and absolute.
Mark's expression didn't change, but Sky's smile faltered, a faint flicker of hurt crossing her face.
"I didn't come to argue," Zack said quietly. "I came to make it clear — I don't want this. I never did. And nothing you say will change that."
He turned to leave, but Mark's voice followed him, low and cold.
"You can't hide forever, Zack. Secrets have a way of surfacing."
Zack paused at the doorway, the night wind brushing against his face.
"Then let them," he said softly. "I'm done living for anyone but her."
Vanessa's POV
Hours later, Vanessa curled up on the couch, Sonic's head resting on her knee. The candles had burned down to wax puddles, the air filled with the faint scent of rosemary.
She smiled faintly, tracing the rim of her wine glass. Somewhere out there, under the same night sky, was Zack — her husband, her heart, her home.
She whispered into the quiet,
"Come back to me soon."
And far away, on the road leaving the Hudson estate, Zack whispered the same words into the darkness.