"Elise, your sacrifice was worth it. This is my honor, and it's yours too. You should be proud to have a husband like me."
Looking at his smug, self-satisfied face, all I felt was nausea.
"Passengers?"
I let out a cold laugh.
"You mean your 'female bro'? Funny how you didn't worry about conflicts of interest then."
Colin didn't show a shred of shame.
"You and I have a marriage certificate. Scarlett and I have nothing."
Scarlett sauntered over, giving me a provocative smile.
"Yeah, just bros. What's there to avoid?"
"Good thing Elise cooperated, or Colin wouldn't have gotten that certificate. Oh right, there's also a bonus—perfect for treating everyone to dinner!"
Colin nodded along.
"Tomorrow night, I booked a celebration dinner. You'll toast Scarlett and apologize for that scene you made at your dad's memorial."
"My dad just died, and you want me to celebrate your success?"
He shrugged, utterly indifferent.
"How were we supposed to know he couldn't hold on? It's not like I killed him. Besides, he's already gone—what's the point of taking it out on us now? Just because your dad died, I'm not allowed to celebrate? Should I die too?" He waved his hand dismissively. "It's settled. We're all friends here. Don't make it awkward."
The celebration was at the most luxurious hotel downtown.
Colin had booked a large private room and invited his flight crew colleagues—and Scarlett.
When I pushed open the door in plain black mourning clothes, the lively room fell silent.
Colin had been mid-brag, wine glass in hand. The moment he saw what I was wearing, disgust flickered across his face.
"Elise, today is my celebration dinner. Who exactly are you mourning? Talk about bad luck."
Scarlett sat pressed against his side in a deep-V spaghetti strap top, tattoos on full display. She stubbed out her cigarette, stood up reeking of alcohol, and grinned.
"Don't jinx it. Today's a big day—Colin got promoted, got a raise, and won an award. We're drinking until we drop!"
His coworkers chimed in eagerly.
"Yeah, Mrs. Matthews, Captain Matthews is our company's role model this year."
"Putting duty above family, keeping public and private separate—that's the kind of awareness we should all learn from."
"And Scarlett's so down-to-earth. Now that's real friendship!"
Every compliment landed like a slap.
Colin's lips curled with barely concealed satisfaction, though he played modest.