Rose couldn't tear her eyes away from the sinking ship. She didn't know if the screams she heard were real or in her head, but that didn't make them any less horrifying. Jack's somewhere in that, she thought. One of those screams is his. "Rose, look away from that," her mother said. Rose shot a glare in her direction before turning back to the ship, which was now almost completely vertical. She doesn't care about all the people who are dying right now, she thought disgustedly. None of them do.
Molly laid a hand on her arm. "There's nothin’ anyone could have done," she said softly. "There weren't enough boats."
Rose blinked away tears. "It isn't right!" she cried. "They should have been given a chance! Why were we allowed to live when they weren't?" Why am I being allowed to live when Jack is probably dying right now?
As if she were reading her mind, Molly leaned closer and whispered, "He'll make it."
Rose just shook her head. "He's the one who told me about the water," she whispered back. "He's the one who told me how bad it is." Tears began streaming down her face. "I should be with him. I should have gone with him."
*****
Despite Rose's fears, Jack was still very much alive. He clung desperately to the ship's railing and prayed for survival, though he knew his chances were slim. As the ship rushed toward the water, he steadied his breathing and prepared to let go. There wasn't much he could do to avoid getting caught in the suction, but he knew if he didn't let go of the ship before he hit the water he probably never would. At least Rose made it into a boat, he thought as he opened his mouth and sucked in as much air as his lungs could hold.
A moment later, his body crashed into the water.
One Week Later
Philadelphia
The engagement gala was every bit as boring as Rose had expected it to be. Cal had spared no expense, for which she knew she was supposed to be grateful, and there was no shortage of women cornering her and gushing about what a catch he was. If one more woman tells me she wishes she were in my place, I'll scream. She looked down at the large diamond around her neck. It was breathtaking by any standards, but all she could think when she felt its weight on her neck was The ball and chain is a bit high, isn't it?
"Sweetpea?"
Rose quickly looked up and met Cal's eyes, a smile plastered on her face. "Yes, darling?"
There was a flicker of suspicion in his eyes, but it disappeared after a moment. "You're being very quiet," he said. "Not unhappy, are you?"
I wish I was dead, actually. "Not at all," she said brightly. "I was just admiring the diamond."
He smiled, obviously pleased by her answer. "Well, there's plenty of time for that later," he said mildly. He offered his arm. "Right now, we have more guests to greet."
She swallowed the repulsion that rose in her throat and took his arm. "Of course."
Why didn't I go with Jack?
You would be dead right now if you had.
But I'd be with him.
She was too lost in her thoughts to notice the person ducking as Cal led her past one of the ballroom's floor length windows.