CHAPTER 2: Mistake

After reading again, Emiko understood the letter why she wrote like that because she wanted to confuse the timeline to buy herself more time. After reading her letter she turned her face to Serena.

"Serena, don't screw anything up." and holding her hands "Hereafter, you have to live on your own with your family," Emiko said gently with a smile but inside she already died by guilty over Damien.

Serena's eyes looked at Emiko, her vision blurred by tears. "I just want to die but..., Emiko," she whispered, her voice breaking like a cracking glass. "But I left no choice, everything I am doing just ... for my baby."

"I don't want to cheat someone for my fault".

Emiko stepped closer and wiped her tears from her face, her heart heavy for her friend and she couldn't control her tears. "I understand, Serena. I really do. But this path you've chosen won't be easy. Just promise me you'll stay safe," she said softly.

Serena shook her head slowly, the weight of her choices pressing down on her. "Damien will never forgive me, and he was the best brother in the whole world " she murmured, her voice trembling.

Emiko reached out and pulled Serena into a tight hug. "You're like a sister to me," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "But once you leave here, keep your life hidden. Please... Don't let anyone find you. Go somewhere they won't be able to find you."

Serena nodded against her shoulder, whispering, "Um...I won't."

Emiko watched the clock at nearly 3:58 AM. With only two minutes left before the shift change, Serena realized that time was running out. She wiped her tears, offering Emiko a bittersweet smile.

"Okay... we have only two minutes, Just Go..."

She walked near the window and glanced once again at her.

"Don't burn the kitchen. Let Ethan handle the cooking for a while," Emiko teased, her voice cracking in a desperate attempt to lighten the mood.

Serena chuckled faintly and shook her head up and down, her smile a fleeting glimpse of the person she used to be. "Goodbye, Emiko."

"Go, Serena. It's time," Emiko said, her voice barely holding together as she watched her friend climb out the window and into the unknown.

Emiko shifted her imagination at 8:00 AM, the ship buzzed with activity as the wedding preparations reached their peak. William's mother approached Emiko, and her concern was evident. "Is the bride ready?"

Emiko stood tall and managed a small smile. " Yeah... I think she is"

William's mother asked in doubt, "What do you mean?"

"Oh! gosh... I forgot to tell you that before. She wanted to get ready by her. She didn't want anyone to bother her" she said near her ears, keeping her voice calm despite the storm inside her "Don't tell anyone, Last night after the party she said that she wanted to surprise William".

William's mom innocently "Really... It makes me more eager..." and she passed Emiko with excitement.

"Shit... I also have talent uh! I think I am good at acting, now I want to be an actress like Angelina Jolie " Damien breaking her daydream from a distance "Emiko......"

"This man is my problem even though I can't even daydream" 

"Tawagoto..."

The illusion of control shattered when Damien burst into Serena's cabin, his voice raw with disbelief. "She's gone," he growled. "What the f*ck did she do?"

Turning sharply to Emiko, he snapped, "How did this happen? "

"Do you know about this already? Right?"

His anger is smoldering "You two planned everything right?"

Emiko looked back at him with fear. "I ... I don't understand, Dami. What are you talking about?" 

"You don't"

"I have not seen her since morning, and I was busy welcoming guests and arrangements." she sounded scared out of her wits.

Damien smirked in disappointment, "Don't try to fool me Emiko, I am your husband"

Damien ran a hand through his hair, frustration boiling over. "How can I explain this to James?"

"The bride just ran away through the damn window!" His voice was unsteady,

"How could she betray her own family?" 

The sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence as William's parents arrived, their faces filled with concern. Damien stood frozen, hearing William's voice from outside, but he didn't express it. William's mother looked around nervously and asked, "Where's the bride? Everyone is waiting."

The room remains silent, with no expression on their faces. Their hearts race; they don't know how to convince James's family.

Blackwood stepped forward, holding a folded piece of paper he'd found on the bedside table. "There's a letter," he said quietly, unfolding it.

"Letter" James said.

Everyone fell silent as he opened it and began reading. 

Dami, 

This is Serena. I hope you're the one who finds this, Dami.

I can't marry William. Even though I respect him and his family, my heart belongs to someone else. I'm in love with your friend, Ethan. I… I'm already six weeks pregnant. I know you'll understand my situation, and I apologize for doing this to you and everyone. Please don't try to find me, because I left last night.

— Serena

William's mother gasped, her eyes welling with tears. "What......Pregnant? "With Ethan's child?" she breathed heavily, her voice shaking with surprise.

James' face became scarlet as his rage blew up. "You guys are kidding me, how did no one notice she was gone?!" 

Blackwood understood the situation held by his daughter because of the fault on his side and he tried to convince him, so he opened his mouth " I am really sorry James, we didn't expect this too.... But... we can ..."

Before saying another word Blackwood's mouth, anger totally consumed him as he crumpled the letter and grabbed Blackwood by the collar. "What the hell is this, Blackwood?"

"We planned this marriage with her permission! Right?"

"She also agreed to it! then..., what is this nonsense?!" he shouted very loudly, his voice rocking the room.

Before Blackwood could answer, Damien stepped forward and yanked James' hand from his father's collar. "Show some respect!" Damien snapped, his voice severing the tension like a blade.

James' wrath did not subside. His voice was low and nasty. "Respect????????"

"You guys asking fuc*ing respect from me, uh..."

"Your daughter humiliated me and my son" 

"How can I explain to my son, how can he accept this shit?" his anger went to peak when he thought about his son, his hand moved to his pocket, and the glint of metal froze everyone in place.

James pulled out a gun, his grip tight, his eyes wild with fury, "Damien, you have to pay for what your bit*h sister did"

Everyone in the room froze, their faces pale with shock as they caught sight of the gun in James's hands. Damien's thoughts raced like a horse. "If anyone makes a wrong move, he won't hesitate to pull the trigger".

Even James's wife, standing a few steps away, trembled with fear, her eyes wide and filled with doubtfulness at her husband's actions, "James, it's okay, don't do anything wrong ..... It's made even worse"

Emiko, who was standing off to the side, gasped and immediately covered her mouth with her hands. "Please, James, stop! It's not the way! Simply put down the rifle", Her voice quivers with urgency as she begs.

Tension enveloped the room, and each moment seemed to drag on forever. Damien intended to attempt to obtain the weapon of his choice but.

"You think this is just about humiliation?" James's finger tightened on the trigger as he growled. "It's about justice for my son!"

Every sound was silenced when the air was hit by the thundering crack of a gunshot, which echoed like a bomb.

Everyone was too astonished to respond, and the room froze. Unable to comprehend what had just transpired, Damien stared at the blazing barrel with his heart pounding and his ears ringing.