I Stopped Loving Him When He Let Me Bleed Out novel Chapter 131

Sienna's fingers instinctively tightened around her seatbelt.

Her heart pounded so fast it felt like it was going to burst right out of her chest.

She thought she had misheard, but those three syllables came through the broadcast loud and clear—deep, steady, and carrying an absolute professional composure.

The announcement continued, followed by a fluent English translation.

When he spoke English, his voice became incredibly deep and magnetic, vibrating like the slow draw of a cello string.

Sienna sat rigid in her seat, staring blankly at the back of the chair in front of her.

She thought back to nine years ago, the very first time she took a flight piloted by Finn.

She had just managed to win him over back then; he was still an intern flying short domestic routes.

She had specifically bought a ticket for his flight and sat in the very last row, terrified he would spot her.

When he made the cabin announcement back then, his voice had sounded exactly like this.

Deep, steady, but with a slight, endearing hint of nervousness.

Others might not have noticed it, but she did.

Now, his voice was no longer nervous.

It was as immovable and steady as a mountain.

But now, she was the one whose nerves were completely frayed.

The plane began to taxi down the runway.

It picked up speed, moving faster and faster.

The nose lifted, and the ground outside the window fell away; the houses morphed into tiny specks, and the roads thinned into delicate threads.

The aircraft pierced through the clouds, and bright sunlight poured through the window, washing over her face and making her squint.

In the cockpit, Finn gazed out at the endless sea of clouds ahead.

The numbers on the dashboard ticked rhythmically, indicating that everything was operating perfectly.

He gripped the control stick, his hands completely steady.

"Captain Fletcher, it's an absolute honor to fly a route with you," the young co-pilot said, practically vibrating with excitement.

Finn gave a curt, indifferent response.

The co-pilot had heard rumors that Captain Fletcher was a man of few words—unsmiling and intensely strict—so he tactfully shut his mouth.

The plane broke through another layer of clouds, and brilliant sunlight flooded in, illuminating the entire cockpit.

Finn narrowed his eyes, his mind flashing to the way Sienna had looked walking down the jet bridge during boarding.

When she lowered her head, a strand of hair had slipped out from behind her ear, and she had casually reached up to tuck it back.

It was just a careless, fleeting movement, but it played on a continuous loop in his mind, refusing to fade.

Finn pulled his thoughts back and refocused on the dashboard.

The turbulence dragged on for another ten minutes before finally smoothing out. The plane leveled off, and the window once again offered a tranquil view of the clouds.

Three hours later, the head flight attendant walked over and leaned down.

"Ma'am, I am so sorry to bother you. Economy is slightly overbooked, so we've upgraded you to First Class. Please, follow me."

Sienna had encountered this exact situation before and didn't think much of it; she grabbed her bag and followed the flight attendant up the aisle.

First Class was located in the very front row, separated from the cockpit by a single, thin door.

It was way too close.

Her footsteps faltered.

"I don't need the upgrade."

The flight attendant froze for a second before flashing a perfect, professional smile.

"Ma'am, it's completely complimentary, and the First Class seats are much more comfortable for a long-haul flight..."

"I know," Sienna cut her off, her tone polite but unyielding. "I don't need it. Thank you."

She turned on her heel and headed back.

The flight attendant rushed a step after her.

"Ma'am, this is an airline arrangement, it's not directed at you personally, you don't have to..."