Chapter 259: Right Choice
Sarah’s POV
I woke up with a kind of excitement I hadn’t felt in years. Normally, I’m not an early riser. Years of working shifts on the ship trained my body to wake before my shift starts, before lunch, but today felt different. Even though I barely slept last night, I was wide awake, heart fluttering.
Today wasn’t just another day. Today felt like a beginning, one where Reagan and I would start fresh. We’d leave the ugly things where they belonged: in the past. The heartbreaks, the nightmares, the memories that used to weigh me down, they’d stay there. For once, I wasn’t just saying it. I was ready to live it.
It surprised me how eager I was to spend my morning with someone who wasn’t Nick. It should have felt strange, but instead, it felt natural. Like slipping into warm sunlight after being cold for too long.
Reagan and I had agreed to head to the police station early so we wouldn’t risk running into Oliver or worse, Nick and Georgia. I got ready quickly, humming as I moved around my kitchen. I had asked Reagan to come over early so we could eat breakfast together.
Right on cue, the doorbell rang. My heart skipped, and even though I knew it was him, I still checked the video feed. The sight of him standing there made me smile so wide my cheeks ached. I exhaled deeply, trying to calm the flutter in my chest before opening the door.
"Good morning, princess..." Reagan greeted me, his voice soft and teasing as he handed me a bouquet of flowers.
I stared at him, caught off guard, my smile brightening even more as I accepted the flowers. No one had ever given me flowers before. Not even Nick. Most men only ever saw me as easy, as someone they could charm and take to bed quickly.
But this... this was different. This felt sincere. This felt real.
"Wow, thank you," I said, a little breathless. "I didn’t know flower shops opened this early."
"They don’t," Reagan said with a sheepish grin. "I waited outside. When someone showed up to prep the shop, I begged them to let me buy a bouquet. Told them I’d pay triple if I had to. The owner was thrilled."
A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. "Surely she was. The flowers are beautiful," I said, lowering my face to inhale their scent.
"Like you," Reagan murmured.
I froze, blinking at him. My cheeks went warm—no, hot. I must’ve turned red as an apple because my heart was racing so fast it almost hurt.
"C-Come i-in..." I stuttered, stepping aside. "Breakfast is ready—well, except the coffee. I don’t know how you like it," I added quickly, desperate to steer the conversation away from how flustered I was.
But Reagan had already noticed. His lips curved into a small, amused smile as he reached out and gently pinched my cheek.
"You’re cute when you blush," he teased. "I’ll make my own coffee, don’t worry. Go put those flowers in a vase before they wilt. The shop owner told me to add baking soda and sugar to the water—it’ll keep them fresh for days."
I nodded, still trying to hide my smile. "Alright... feel at home. I’ll just put these in my room. I’ll be quick."
It didn’t take long, and soon enough I was back at the dining table. The smell of coffee filled the air, the morning light spilling through the window, and for the first time in a long time, I felt... light and genuinely happy.
"What are your plans now? I mean, do you plan to go on board again?" Reagan asked, his voice gentle as he stirred his coffee.
I paused mid-bite, my fork hovering over my plate. "I was actually thinking about that last night," I admitted softly. "You know I chose this path because of Nick. Back then, it felt like my whole life revolved around him. But now..." I let out a small breath. "Now I feel lost—not because I don’t know what I want to do, but because there are so many things I could do. And I just don’t know which one to choose."
Reagan didn’t say anything right away. He just watched me with that calm, steady gaze that always made me feel like I could tell him anything. Because with him, I never felt judged, whatever stupid things I do.
"My parents want me to work in administration," I continued, fiddling with my spoon. "They’re planning to give me the company. My sisters aren’t interested—they’re wrapped up in their own families, their husbands running businesses overseas. But me... I still want to be a captain, at least once, just for the experience and the title.
I thought I’d reach that goal just to prove to myself that I can, it’s an achievement anyway, and then quit, work in the office so my parents could retire, well, at least my mom. My father is a workaholic like you, so I think he would work until the day he dies," I jested, and we both chuckled.
"But now..." I trailed off, meeting his eyes shyly. "Now that we’re together, I think maybe I’ll just work in the office instead, so we can spend more time together."
Reagan took a slow sip of his coffee, then set the cup down and rested his hands on the table. He thought for a moment, then spoke in that low, thoughtful tone of his. "I think the first option is better—if you’re only choosing the second because of me."
I blinked at him. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, I don’t want to be the reason you hold yourself back," he said, eyes soft but serious. "You’ve worked so hard for this. You could take a contract that keeps you closer to home, with short-distance travel between ports. That way, we’d still see each other often when you dock.
You’d complete all your certifications faster, too, become a captain, and then move on to the office sooner. You’d be proud of yourself for finishing what you started."
My heart warmed at his words. He wasn’t trying to keep me small. He wanted me to grow, even if it meant less time with him.
"You’re right," I murmured, smiling at him. "I’ll think about it—what I really want, not just what feels easiest. Honestly, right now... I feel so free. For the first time in a long time, I feel like myself again." I set my fork down and met his gaze fully. "And I just want to enjoy this moment with you."
His lips curved into a smile, slow and tender, and I felt it again—that quiet certainty that I’d made the right choice.
******
Thanks for the Golden Tickets!
Kris_K16
KATHLEEN_COLL