Chapter 130-Cruel distinction

Chapter 130: 130-Cruel distinction

"Can’t I?"

Daniel fell silent. He met her eyes, searching for any sign that she was joking and found none.

She stepped closer, her expression composed but her eyes devoid of warmth.

"You have a boat. You have the freedom to choose where you want to go. What happens after that is up to you."

"But..."

"If you value your lives, listen carefully." Her voice sharpened, cutting off any further protest. "Never come in front of me again. Don’t follow my ship, don’t attempt to contact me, and don’t mistake my decision to let you leave alive for an invitation to return."

Marcus swallowed. There was something particularly frightening about the way she spoke.

She wasn’t shouting or threatening to kill them. Her words carried the unmistakable weight of someone who had already decided that their lives were no longer her concern and if she saw them again, the consequences would be devastating.

Daniel lowered his gaze. "But... But..." He wanted to argue but words failed him.

For a moment, Marcus looked as though he wanted to argue. Perhaps he wanted to appeal to whatever kindness he believed she still possessed and he hoped she would reconsider once she saw their reluctance.

But Aymara’s expression never changed. She had seen their hearts and all the darkness they carried, sparing them and letting them into the ship would be unkindness to herself and Nathaniel.

Finally, the two men climbed off the cruise and into the boat.

She watched as they settled themselves and checked the controls. The vessel was old but functional, and its remaining fuel would give them a chance to reach somewhere else if they used it wisely.

Aymara had given them that chance. What they did with it was no longer her responsibility.

"Go," she ordered. "And don’t let me see your faces again."

The boat pulled away from the fortress, slowly increasing the distance between them.

Marcus looked back once. Daniel did the same, but neither man called out to her. They had finally understood that there was nothing left to negotiate.

Any mercy she had for them was ruined the moment they drew their weapons at her and threatened her.

"Good riddance!"

Aymara watched until the boat became a small shape against the endless blue sea. Then she turned around and headed inside.

She felt no guilt about her actions. They had already set their eyes on her ship, letting them stay was inviting future troubles.

In her previous life, she had wasted too much time believing that every person deserved another chance simply because she was capable of giving one. She had learned the cost of that mistake with her own life.

This time, she would choose carefully because not everyone would be welcome aboard her fortress, and not everyone who needed help would be entitled to remain beside her.

The distinction was cruel, perhaps, but the apocalypse had never promised to be fair to anyone, least of all, kind people."

When Aymara returned inside, she found Nathaniel waiting near the dining area. He was dressed comfortably, his hair slightly tousled, and his gaze immediately settled on her face.

"Have they left?" he asked.

"Yes," She offered him a kind smile. She had no idea how he’d caught on that she’d evicted Dylan and Marcus but it saved her a long explanation. "They’ve left."

He studied her for a moment, perhaps searching for signs of regret of their departure. When he found none, he simply nodded.

"Then let’s eat before the food gets cold," He warmly invited her.

Aymara’s expression softened. "Of course. I made your favorite pancakes."

Nathaniel’s eyes flickered toward the table, and a small smile appeared on his face. "You didn’t have to make so much. The two of us can’t finish it all."

"I wanted to and after the long days and nights we’ve had. We deserve it."

She guided him toward his seat, making sure he was comfortable before taking her own place. Celyn arrived shortly afterward, her expression cautious as she noticed the three prepared settings.

Aymara gestured for her to sit. "Good morning, Celyn. Eat first. We have something important to discuss afterward."

Celyn glanced at Nathaniel, then back at Aymara. "What is it?"

"Your future," She said bluntly, not in the mood to beat around the bush or sugarcoat the topic.

The words settled over the table and Aymara picked up her teacup, taking a measured sip before continuing.

"I need to decide whether you can remain aboard this ship. I won’t make that decision carelessly, and I won’t pretend that rescuing you means I have agreed to protect you indefinitely."

Celyn’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her chair. She wanted to speak up, to offer an appeal and plead her case.

She could tell Aymara how useful she could be aboard the cruise, how she was willing to work hard, follow orders, and contribute whatever skills she possessed to make herself worth keeping. She could promise not to be a burden, to earn her meals, and even take on the most unpleasant tasks if that was what it took to secure her place.

Yet, the words remained trapped in her throat. She had already witnessed how firmly Aymara drew her boundaries, and she wasn’t foolish enough to mistake the woman’s kindness for an invitation to negotiate her stay.

Reluctantly, Celyn lowered her gaze and swallowed her plea. She didn’t want to make herself even more unwelcome by begging for a place she hadn’t been offered.

Nathaniel remained quiet on the side, watching Aymara with a thoughtful expression. More than anyone else present, he understood why she had become so guarded about allowing people into her life.

He had seen the consequences of her misplaced trust, even if he hadn’t been there to witness every moment of the suffering she had endured in her life. He knew there were wounds she rarely spoke about, betrayals that had fundamentally changed the way she viewed other people.

And since the cruise belonged to Aymara, he saw no reason to interfere with her decisions. She was the one who had built this fortress and taken responsibility for everyone and everything aboard it. He would respect her authority and leave the matter entirely in her hands.

Aymara set her cup down. "Eat while the food is warm, Celyn. Then tell me what you intend to do with your life from this point onward."

She held the other woman’s gaze, making no attempt to soften the seriousness of the conversation.

"Because before I let anyone stay in my fortress, I need to know whether they’re someone I can afford to trust," She spoke with a sternness to her voice that made the hair’s on Celyn’s body stand straight.

And this time, she would not let sympathy make the decision for her. "So, can I trust you, Celyn?"