Chapter 2 — Reunion at Crystal Bay

James Bennett

The ocean stretched endlessly before him, a liquid canvas of turquoise and indigo that rippled beneath the midday sun. James leaned against the sleek mahogany railing of the speedboat as it skimmed over the waves, the salty spray misting his skin. The wind whipped at his hair, tousling it further, but he didn’t bother to brush it back. Instead, he tightened his grip on the railing, his knuckles whitening as the island of Crystal Bay emerged on the horizon, growing sharper with every passing second.

At first glance, it looked like a dream—something conjured out of a glossy travel magazine. Towering cliffs wrapped protectively around the crescent-shaped beach, their jagged edges softened by cascading greenery. The sand gleamed impossibly white and untouched, and even from a distance, the water near the shore was so transparent that James could see the faint shadows of coral. The island seemed to beckon him with its serene perfection, yet he couldn’t shake the tightness in his chest or the churn in his stomach.

Because she might be here.

“Relax, man. You look like you’re about to face a firing squad,” came Nathan’s familiar voice beside him. James glanced over to see his friend grinning, sunglasses reflecting the glittering expanse of the sea. “It’s a resort—not a courtroom.”

James forced a laugh, but it came out brittle. “Sure doesn’t feel like it.”

Nathan clapped a hand on his shoulder, the weight of it unbalancing him slightly. “It’s been three years. I’m sure she’s over it by now. You just need to—"

Nathan’s words were drowned out by the roar of the engine as the boat hit a particularly large wave. James clenched his jaw, gripping the railing tighter. His mind churned. Over it? He doubted that. Liana had every reason to never want to see him again, let alone forgive him. He’d been the one who shattered her trust, who hurt her family in ways he doubted she’d ever forget. And yet here he was, approaching the very place where avoiding her would be impossible. The idea of seeing her again set his thoughts in a chaotic spiral, fluctuating between guilt, fear, and a longing so sharp it surprised him.

He turned away from Nathan, focusing on the shoreline instead. The cliffs seemed to loom higher now, their shadows stretching across the pristine sand like silent sentinels. The resort villas perched above the cliffs were gleaming and impossibly modern, their glass facades reflecting the sunlight. Everything about the scene should have felt welcoming, but instead, it was as if there was something just beneath its surface. Something waiting.

“Cara says she’s coming,” Nathan said, his voice cutting through James’s haze of thoughts. “And Cara’s never wrong about these things. Trust me, that woman’s been scheming since the day you two broke up.”

James groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. “That’s... not comforting.”

Nathan chuckled, leaning against the railing as though they were out for a casual cruise. “Look, I know this isn’t exactly your idea of fun, but if anyone can fix this mess, it’s you. You’re the most stubborn guy I know. You’ll find a way to make it right.”

James didn’t answer right away. The words lodged in his throat, heavy and useless. Fix it? Did Nathan even understand how deep the damage went? This wasn’t some petty breakup or misunderstanding. His mistakes had cost Liana more than just a relationship—they had upended her family’s life. He exhaled sharply, willing the thoughts to subside. There wasn’t any use replaying the past right now. He needed to focus on the present, on what he’d say if he saw her. If she’d even listen.

The boat slowed to a crawl as the dock came into view, the engine’s rumble softening into a low hum. The pier stretched out into the crystal-clear water, a polished wooden path that seemed to float above the waves. Beyond it, a group of resort staff stood waiting, their spotless white uniforms almost too crisp against the lush backdrop of the jungle. James’s gaze flitted over them, his unease stirring as he noticed how still they stood, their fixed smiles unwavering even as the boat bumped gently against the dock.

Nathan hopped out first, his movements easy and unbothered as he turned to offer James a hand. “Come on. Time to face paradise.”

James hesitated for a heartbeat before stepping onto the dock, the planks feeling solid beneath his feet despite the faint sway of the water below. He followed Nathan toward the awaiting staff, their pleasantries floating around him like distant noise. The air was thick with humidity, carrying the heady scent of salt and tropical blooms, but beneath it was something faintly metallic, sharp enough to make him pause. He glanced toward the cliffs, their jagged edges rising like teeth against the sky, and felt a flicker of unease he couldn’t quite place.

“Welcome to Crystal Bay,” one of the staff said, her voice melodious yet oddly mechanical. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “We trust your journey was pleasant. Please allow us to escort you to the villas.”

Nathan, ever the charmer, grinned as he adjusted his duffel bag. “Lead the way, sunshine.”

As they walked along the path, James tried to focus on the scenery. Everything about the resort was meticulously designed to evoke luxury—a paradise crafted to perfection. Stone pathways wound through gardens bursting with vibrant flowers, their petals so vividly colored they seemed almost unnatural. Wooden bridges spanned koi ponds, the water so still it mirrored the sky above. It was undeniably beautiful, yet James couldn’t shake the feeling that it was all too polished, too pristine. Like a mask over something far less perfect.

The villas came into view before he was ready. Perched high on stilts overlooking the cliffs, they were architectural marvels—sleek and modern, with expansive glass walls that seemed to erase the boundary between inside and out. James’s assigned villa was at the farthest end of the row, its private deck jutting out over the cliff’s edge with an unobstructed view of the ocean. He stepped inside, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished wooden floor.

The interior was as immaculate as the exterior—an enormous bed draped in gauzy white linens, a sitting area with minimalist furniture, and a plunge pool on the deck that appeared to spill into the horizon. But it was all too neat, too carefully arranged, like a stage set waiting for its actors. James ran a hand over the back of a chair, the smooth wood cool beneath his palm. The silence pressed in around him, broken only by the distant crash of waves against the rocks below.

Nathan clapped him on the shoulder, startling him. “Cheer up, will you? You’ve got the best view in the place.”

James forced a smile. “Yeah. Lucky me.”

Nathan laughed, heading for the door. “Dinner’s at seven. Try not to overthink yourself into a frenzy before then, all right? And maybe... don’t look like you’re walking to your own funeral. Cara’ll kill me if you ruin the vibe.”

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving James alone with his thoughts. He exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through his hair as he crossed to the deck. The railing was smooth under his grip as he leaned against it, the horizon stretching endlessly before him. For a moment, he let himself imagine boarding the next boat back to the mainland, leaving the island—and all its ghosts—behind. But the thought didn’t bring relief. It brought a hollow ache instead.

Because the truth was, he didn’t want to avoid Liana forever. He wanted to apologize, to explain himself in a way that didn’t sound like excuses. He wanted her to know that he wasn’t the same reckless, entitled person he’d been three years ago. Whether she’d believe him—or care—was another matter entirely.

The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting the sky in brilliant hues of gold and orange. James stared at the fiery scene until his eyes burned, the beauty of it only amplifying the weight pressing on his chest. He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, and when he opened them again, his breath caught.

She was there.

Liana stood at the edge of the beach, her figure silhouetted against the shimmering water. Her auburn hair caught the light, glowing like fire as it spilled over her shoulders. Even at this distance, James recognized her—the way she moved, poised yet cautious, as though the world were something she had to navigate with care. His heart raced, his pulse thundering in his ears.

For a moment, he wanted to call out to her, to close the distance. But he didn’t move. He couldn’t. Instead, he watched as she disappeared down the beach, her silhouette swallowed by the shadows of the cliffs.

James gripped the railing harder, his knuckles white. This wasn’t just a vacation. This was his chance—maybe his only chance—to make things right.

And he wasn’t going to waste it.