ELENA'S POINT OF VIEW
The private jet's engines hummed softly as we climbed higher into the sky. I sat across from Alex, my hands folded in my lap, staring at the floor.
He hadn't said a word to me since we left the mansion.
Not in the car. Not when we boarded the plane. Not even when the flight attendant welcomed us aboard with a bright smile and congratulations on our honeymoon.
Honeymoon.
The word felt wrong.
I glanced up carefully, just for a second, to look at him.
He sat with his arms crossed, staring out the window. His jaw was tight. His expression was cold and distant, like I wasn't even there.
The faint red mark on his cheek from his mother's slap yesterday was still visible. It made my chest ache.
I wanted to say something. Anything. But I didn't know what words could possibly make this better.
So I stayed quiet.
The flight attendant appeared again, holding a silver tray with two glasses of champagne.
"Champagne for the newlyweds?" she asked cheerfully.
Alex took a glass without looking at her. He didn't thank her. Just took it and turned back to the window.
"No, thank you," I said softly.
She smiled and walked away.
The silence returned. Heavy. Suffocating.
I pressed my hands together in my lap, trying to steady my breathing. Two weeks. We'd be alone together for two weeks.
How was I supposed to survive this?
I stole another glance at him. His fingers were wrapped tightly around the champagne glass. His knuckles were white.
He looked angry. Or maybe hurt. I couldn't tell anymore.
My eyes dropped back to my lap. I felt like I was sitting next to a stranger. A stranger I'd married. A stranger whose mother expected us to come back from this trip with a baby on the way.
The thought made my stomach twist.
I turned toward the window on my side, watching the clouds drift past. The sky was endless and blue. Beautiful.
But I couldn't enjoy it.
All I could think about was the woman from last night.
Mia.
The way Alex had looked at her. Like seeing her had ripped open something inside him he'd spent years trying to bury.
Did he still love her?
Of course he did.
I swallowed hard, blinking back the sting in my eyes.
What was I even doing here?
The plane began its descent hours later. I felt the shift in pressure, the gentle tilt as we dropped lower.
I looked out the window again and my breath caught.
The island.
It was stunning. The turquoise water stretched out in every direction, so clear that I could see the coral reefs beneath the surface. White sand lined the shore. Palm trees swayed in the breeze. Lush green hills rose in the distance.
It looked like paradise.
But it felt like a trap.
The plane landed smoothly on a small private airstrip. The moment the door opened, warm, humid air flooded inside. It smelled like salt and flowers.
A man in a white linen shirt was waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. He smiled widely as we approached.
"Mr. and Mrs. Reyes! Welcome, welcome! We are so honored to host your honeymoon."
Alex nodded stiffly but didn't say anything.
I managed a small smile. "Thank you."
The man gestured toward a white golf cart parked nearby. "Please, come. I'll take you to the villa."
We climbed into the cart. Alex sat as far from me as possible, his arms still crossed. I folded my hands in my lap again and stared straight ahead.
The man drove us down a narrow path lined with tropical plants. We passed through a small village. Colorful houses with tin roofs. Laundry hanging on lines. Children playing on the dirt roads.
Some of them saw us and started running alongside the cart, laughing and waving.
I waved back, my smile a little more genuine this time.
Alex didn't react. Just stared straight ahead like he couldn't see them.
"The island is small but beautiful," the man said cheerfully. "Very peaceful. Perfect for newlyweds who want privacy."
Privacy.
The word made my chest tighten.
We reached the villa a few minutes later, and I felt my breath catch again.
It was breathtaking.
The villa was modern and luxurious, all white walls and glass. It sat right on the edge of the beach, with an infinity pool that seemed to blend into the ocean. White curtains billowed in the breeze. Fresh flowers were everywhere, orchids and hibiscus in shades of pink and orange.
"Beautiful, yes?" the man said, beaming. "Come, let me show you inside."
We followed him through the open-air entrance. The living room was spacious, with white sofas and a view of the ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows. The kitchen was sleek and modern. Everything was pristine. Perfect.
"And here," the man said, opening a door, "is the master suite."
I stepped inside and froze.
One bed.
A massive king-sized bed draped in white silk. Rose petals were scattered across the comforter. Candles sat on the nightstands, ready to be lit. Champagne chilled in a bucket beside the bed.
It was the most romantic thing I'd ever seen.
And it made me want to cry.
"Is there another bedroom?" Alex's voice was sharp.
The man blinked, confused. "No, sir. This is the honeymoon villa. It's designed for couples. But if you need more space, we have guest cottages on the property..."
"No. This is fine."
Alex's tone left no room for argument.
The man smiled again, oblivious to the tension. "Wonderful! I'll leave you two to settle in. Dinner will be served at sunset on the terrace. Congratulations again!"
He left, closing the door behind him.
The silence that followed was deafening.
I stood there, staring at the bed, my heart pounding.
Alex dropped his bag by the door. "I'll sleep on the couch."
"Alex, you don't have to..."
"I'm sleeping on the couch."
His voice was cold. Final.
I pressed my lips together and nodded. "Okay."
He walked out without another word.
I stood there alone in the bedroom, listening to his footsteps fade away.
My throat felt tight. My eyes burned.
I moved slowly to the bed and sat down on the edge, running my hand over the silk. It was soft. Expensive.
The ocean breeze drifted through the open windows, carrying the scent of salt and flowers.
It should have been perfect.
But all I felt was emptiness.
I unpacked my things slowly, trying to keep myself busy. I hung my clothes in the massive walk-in closet. My dresses looked small and out of place in the huge space.
When I was done, I sat back down on the bed and stared at the ocean through the windows.
Two weeks.
How was I going to survive two weeks of this?
Sunset came quickly. I changed into a simple white sundress and tied my hair back loosely. I didn't bother with makeup. What was the point?
When I stepped out onto the terrace, Alex was already there.
He sat at the table, staring at a glass of wine. He didn't look up when I approached.
The table was set beautifully. Candles flickered in the fading light. Fairy lights were strung overhead. Soft music played from hidden speakers.
It was romantic. Intimate.
And completely wrong.
I sat down across from him quietly.
A staff member appeared almost immediately, smiling warmly. "Good evening! I hope you're enjoying the villa."
"It's beautiful," I said softly. "Thank you."
"Wonderful! Dinner will be out shortly. Enjoy your evening!"
She disappeared again.
The silence returned.
I picked up my fork and stared at the empty plate in front of me. My stomach was in knots.
The food arrived. Grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and fresh bread. It looked delicious.
But I could barely eat.
I picked at my plate, pushing food around with my fork. Alex drank more wine than he ate.
I wanted to say something. Wanted to break the silence. But I didn't know what to say.
Finally, I gathered the courage to speak.
"The villa is beautiful."
Alex didn't look up. "It is."
That was it. Two words.
I swallowed hard and tried again. "Thank you. For bringing me here."
He finally looked at me. His eyes were cold. Distant.
"I didn't have a choice."
The words hit me like a slap.
I looked down at my plate, blinking rapidly.
He went back to his wine.
I couldn't stay there anymore.
I stood up slowly. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."
He nodded but didn't say anything.
I walked back to the bedroom, my chest tight.
I changed into my pajamas and climbed into the massive bed. It felt too big. Too empty.
I lay on my side, staring at the ceiling, listening to the sound of the waves outside.
Tears slipped down my cheeks silently.
Two weeks.
So impossible.