CHAPTER FORTY-NINE - THE MOMENT OF TRUTH

  As she lay there, trying to sort through her jumbled emotions, Nia couldn't shake the feeling that something had fundamentally shifted. The carefully constructed walls between employer and employee, between her past and present, seemed to be crumbling. And as the ship sailed on towards its next destination, Nia realized that navigating the choppy waters of her relationships with the Allistair brothers might prove to be the biggest challenge of this cruise yet. The next evening found Nia standing in front of the full-length mirror in her cabin, adjusting the ornate mask that covered the upper half of her face. Her heart pounded with equal parts excitement and anxiety as she smoothed down the front of her gown - a stunning midnight blue creation that sparkled with tiny crystals, reminiscent of a starry night sky. She had debated for hours whether to attend the masquerade ball. On one hand, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to enjoy the cruise without the constant worry of bein