Page 81 of Bound By Stars

Good luck, ivory dress.

The edge of Jupiter’s plate tinks against mine. I glance up, covering my full mouth with my fingers. “Are you sure you want to miss out on this? It’s amazing.”

He smirks. “A deal’s a deal.”

Standing, Jupiter’s mother scoots her chair back, clinking the edge of a spoon against her water glass. “Before we all indulge in desserts and scatter, my husband and I have an announcement to make.”

Jupiter’s eyes go wide. He stares across the table at Skye, who suddenly looks gray, and then at his father, who appears as stunned as he does.

As the applause settles, his mother continues. “We are so lucky to have so many of our friends and colleagues here on this gorgeous ship’s first voyage. Most of you know my son, Jupiter, is being primed to train as the head of Dalloway Technologies.” She pauses, nodding as the enrapt audience claps again.

“Not now,” Jupiter says through his teeth, closing his eyes and lowering his head.

“And our lovely Skye Dupont will be inheriting Avenir Industries. She is a beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished young woman.”

Jupiter turns to face me, gripping my hand under the table. “I am so sorry.”

“And we are so thrilled to share with all of you here tonight that Jupiter and Skye will embark on these journeys together.” Her eyes meet mine. “As husband and wife.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Weslie

Eight days to Mars

My heart sinks into my stomach. My rib cage constricts like it’s being laced into a corset tighter and tighter until every breath is a struggle.

Husband and wife.

Married.

Skye and Jupiter.

I meet Jupiter’s eyes.Tell me it’s not true.

His lips part, but he doesn’t say anything. He’s not telling her she’s wrong. He’s not telling me it’s a lie.

We both stand.

He’s swept into handshakes, patted on the back, and pulled from person to person, our eyes still locked.

I’m the one to break it.

On my other side, Skye is swept into the chaos of congratulations, fighting to politely work her way toward me.

Jupiter’s mother grins, taking another offered hand.

His father’s posture is tense, whispering in his wife’s ear, but he nods and shakes hands with a tightly focused smile.

I step back from the table. I shouldn’t be here. I can’t be here. I should never have come. I smooth the layer of ivory fabric over my stomach and turn away, cutting through the crowd with my head high. It’s an effort not to rush or race out of the room. But I will not let that woman see me run. At the doors, I fight the urge to look back as I round the corner. Then I slip off my shoes and sprint.

I don’t slow down until the sound of my bare feet hitting the floor is echoing off the escape bay walls. Cool air cuts through my thin dress, but my face is hot. I’m so glad I left ILSA in my room, so I don’t have to try to explain why my heart is in my throat blocking enough air from getting into my lungs. I grasp my sides, squeezing tight, holding myself together as I pace.

Why didn’t he tell me? How many times has he said his entire future has been mapped out for him? He’s an heir. I knew better. I was never going to be anything more to him than a moment on a ship between planets. It’s the only place where we make any sense.

I lean against the window, the glass like ice against my hot skin. Outside, the red planet is already visible in the distance. So that’s Mars… I wish I had it in me to care. My dream is so close. Only eight days away now. When I got on this ship, I couldn’t wait to get off. But now, even knowing how completely impossible Jupiter and I are, I’m dreading it.

Footsteps slow behind me. I glance back over my shoulder and Jupiter stops. His eyes are pleading with me before he says a word. “Wes, I—”

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