Chapter 4

Hannah's POV

That evening, the crew dinner.

It was at a famous seafood place in LA.

When I walked into the private room, all the food was already on the table. A whole spread—tuna, lobster, oysters.

I stopped in the doorway.

I'm allergic to seafood. Severely. Even a tiny bit makes me break out in hives and struggle to breathe.

Before, Adrian would never bring the crew out for seafood. If there really was no other option, he'd order me a steak separately, then sweep all the shrimp and crab away from my place, declaring possessively, "You can only watch me eat."

Today, there was no steak.

Because Sophie had pouted on the bus that we absolutely had to have great seafood while in LA.

I found a seat at the edge of the table and sat down.

Sophie put on disposable gloves, peeled a plump shrimp, and naturally placed it in Adrian's bowl. "Captain Pierce, try this. It's amazing!"

Adrian didn't refuse. He picked up the shrimp, popped it in his mouth, and nodded. "Good."

A sharp pain twisted in my stomach. I picked up the beer in front of me, took a sip, and didn't touch the food.

Adrian noticed my empty plate from the corner of his eye. His brow furrowed, displeasure in his tone. "Why aren't you eating? Everyone's enjoying themselves. Are you trying to ruin the mood right now?"

The room went silent in an instant. Everyone looked at me.

I set down my glass and looked Adrian directly in the eye, my voice calm and steady. "I'm allergic to seafood. Did you forget?"

Adrian's hand froze mid-shrimp-peel.

A flash of frustration crossed his eyes, but it was quickly buried under irritation. He grabbed a napkin, wiped his hands, and said coldly, "So you're allergic. Just ask the waiter to add a dish. Why make everyone uncomfortable?"

Sophie shot up, her eyes red, looking like she'd suffered the greatest injustice in the world. "I'm so sorry, Hannah. I didn't know you were allergic. Captain Pierce never mentioned it... It's all my fault. I shouldn't have asked for seafood."

Her tears made me look like the wicked one bullying the new girl.

A few of the first officers nearby quickly comforted Sophie. "It's okay, you didn't know. It's not your fault."

I'd had enough.

I stood up and grabbed my jacket from the back of the chair. "You all enjoy. My stomach's bothering me. I'm heading back first."

Without acknowledging the storm cloud darkening Adrian's face, I pushed open the door and walked out.

It had started pouring outside at some point.

LA rain always comes fast and hard. I didn't have an umbrella. I stood under the restaurant's awning, staring blankly at the curtain of rain.

Before, when it rained, Adrian would take off his jacket and wrap it around me, holding me tight against him. He'd hold the umbrella, with most of his body getting soaked, just to keep me from getting a single drop on me.

Now, I stood here alone, the cold wind cutting through my thin shirt.

Footsteps came from behind me.

Adrian stepped out under a black umbrella, with Sophie pressed tight against his side, both her hands wrapped around his arm.

When he saw me, Adrian paused. He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something.

But Sophie shivered at that exact moment and burrowed closer into him. "Captain Pierce, I'm so cold. Let's hurry."

Adrian's gaze lingered on my thin frame for a second, then finally turned away. He shielded Sophie and walked straight to a taxi waiting at the curb.

The door slammed shut. The car drove off quickly.

The wheels rolled through a puddle, splashing dirty water that soaked my pant legs.

I stood there, watching the car disappear into the rainy night, and suddenly laughed. As I laughed, tears mixed with rain came pouring down.