Contents
Chapter 5: Julia
Overview
Two years earlier, Julia awakens in Emmett’s cruise-ship room with no memory after drinks with Jesse. Emmett explains he saw Jesse drug her, intervened, rinsed her off, and slept on the balcony to keep distance while checking her breathing. Julia realizes he protected her, thanks him, and leaves, privately shaken and indebted.
Summary
Two years prior, Julia wakes abruptly in an unfamiliar cruise-ship room, wearing her swimsuit and towel, with fragmented memories after an evening at the pool bar with Jesse and his friends. Alarmed by missing time and unfamiliar surroundings, she spots Emmett Bush asleep on the balcony and fears the worst.
Confronting Emmett, Julia demands to know if they hooked up. Emmett, offended, states he would never do that and explains he saw Jesse drug her drink, intervened, and removed her from the situation at her request. He says he planned to seek medical help, but Julia, in her impaired state, refused.
Emmett details how he rinsed Julia in the shower, wrapped her in a towel, put her in his bed, and slept on the balcony to keep distance while checking her breathing. He also loosened her bun, recalling his sister’s advice. His sincerity and care unsettle Julia’s assumptions about his character.
Overwhelmed, Julia thanks him, retrieves her washed sarong and purse, and quietly leaves. Returning to her cabin, she is relieved to find her mother, Loretta, and conceals the ordeal behind a composed exterior. Privately, Julia recognizes she narrowly escaped a traumatic event, owing her safety to Emmett’s intervention.
Who Appears
- Julia SilvaWakes in Emmett’s cabin after being drugged; confronts him, learns he protected her, thanks him, and leaves shaken.
- Emmett BushWitnesses Jesse drug Julia, intervenes, helps her safely, sleeps on the balcony, and maintains boundaries.
- JessePool-bar acquaintance who drugged Julia’s drink, prompting Emmett’s intervention.
- Loretta (Julia’s mom)Finds Julia returning to their cabin; a supportive presence, unaware of the ordeal.
- TheoJulia’s brother; only referenced in Julia’s thoughts about Emmett and prior warnings.