Mom, Don't Cry! Here comes a new Daddy! novel Chapter 20

Chapter 16-1

(Sabrina’s POV)

Clam

The cruise ship is massive-bigger than I imagined when I looked at the pictures online. Standing at the dock, staring up at the white hull that seems to stretch into the sky, I feel my

stomach twist with doubt.

This was a mistake. I should be home with Jake, preparing for my new job, dealing with the custody paperwork Richard keeps sending over.

But then I remember Jake’s little face this morning, how serious he looked when he made me promise to “have fun and make friends.” How Sophia practically shoved me out the door with my hastily packed suitcase.

“You need this,” she’d said. “Stop overthinking and just go.”

So here I am. Going. Like they want.

The gangway is crowded with excited passengers-families with kids, elderly couples holding hands, groups of friends already laughing. Everyone looks like they belong here except me. I clutch my boarding pass tighter and join the line.

Check-in is smooth. Too smooth. The staff member barely glances at my ID before handing me a room key card and a welcome packet.

“Deck seven, room 742. Elevators are straight ahead. Enjoy your cruise, Ms. Moore.”

I mumble a thank you and move toward the ship’s entrance, my small rolling suitcase bumping along behind me. The interior is even more overwhelming than the exterior-marble floors, crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows showing off the ocean view.

Everywhere I look, there’s something shiny and expensive and completely out of my usual world.

Just thinking about the wealth that went into building this makes my stomach churn. If Jake hadn’t won the ticket in a contest, I wouldn’t even consider setting foot on this thing, let alone boarding it.

But since he did… I grin, and for the first time since this whole mess started, I feel something shift. A tiny spark of excitement.

Maybe this won’t be so bad.

Maybe I can actually enjoy myself.

Chapter 16 1

“No problem. Where are you headed?”

“Deck seven, room 742.”

“Perfect. I’m going that way anyway.” He starts walking toward the elevator, and I have to hurry to keep up with his long strides.

“You don’t have to-I can manage from here.”

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