Dirk shot me a mysterious gaze as I took a step closer. I put my hands behind my back to hide my trembling fingers... Don't judge me! I was the captain, so I had to seem alright all the time. Although I felt confident about my abilities to defend myself, I wished Francis was there. Bosch had lost control more than once, so what stopped him from doing it again? My friends were also efficient in saving my skin when I needed them. I sighed when Miguel, Maartje, and Laurens passed by with the kids. I wanted to join them instead of dealing with relationship issues... Besides, Miguel looked hilarious in that straw hat, so I had to see that again. My heart told me to be with people who made me happy while my head said I needed to hear Bosch out. Maybe I was overreacting. Dirk was my husband, so he wouldn't hurt me! At least not again... I took a deep breath, trying not to go crazy.

Dirk sighed, "We need to talk about you."

Are you kidding me?

I followed him to a corner close to the children's room. What the hell did Bosch have in mind? Sometimes I wondered if the only thing Dirk felt was anger.

"This relationship will never work if you don't change. I thought I could handle your weirdness and male behaviors at the beginning, but I was wrong..." Bosch squeezed his eyes shut. "I was wrong about a lot of things."

"So was I," I chewed on my lip. "You always knew I'm not a traditional woman. Why are you acting like I hid something?"

Dirk paced, seemingly about to explode. Something was very wrong... Although Bosch had revealed who he really was, I had a feeling that wasn't the only problem.

"I never expected you to be so manly," I felt small as an ant when he walked closer. "You act as if you're my boss and that became evident after you humiliated me in the gun deck!"

I laughed nervously. Dirk couldn't be serious. A grown man was offended because the captain asked him to be faster? That was part of the job! I gave orders to my crewmembers all the time.

"I am your boss! You must follow my lead during plunders and battles," I raised my brows. "It's a matter of hierarchy. Work and relationship can't be mixed."

Bosch shook his head in denial. I rolled my eyes... What was so difficult about separating work from marriage? I couldn't let him do whatever he pleased just because we were together!

"You're the captain of this vessel, but you'll never be of this relationship! You'd do what I want if you were a real woman!" Dirk punched a wooden column. "Why didn't you give me a son instead of cursing me with that girl?"

I gawked. Had Dirk said our daughter was a curse? That couldn't be real... except that it was. I gulped as the sky got dark. Gálvez could come with the kids at any minute. I didn't want him to see or hear what was going on.

"I thought you were my dream, Eva, but you're my nightmare!" Bosch wrinkled his nose. "If you really loved me, you'd change. This relationship got deteriorated because you can't compromise."

"You're saying I can't compromise?" I shot him an icy glare. "Who refuses to go out with me, rejects my gifts, criticizes me constantly, and never takes care of the children?"

"I hate your friends and your ideas for dates!" Bosch narrowed his eyes. "You might think Miguel's perfect because he watches the kids like the lady you'll never be, but do you truly believe he loves that accident?"

Did he offend both of my daughters? This is too much!

I swallowed my tears before they fell all over my face. Dirk wanted to talk in private to make me feel like garbage again? Not only me but also my daughters? I preferred being kidnapped by the Royal Navy... I'd never been so glad I didn't hide Luna from Miguel as Dirk wanted. My husband wouldn't have raised her as his own like he said. Instead, he would've made Luna's life a living hell.

I scowled, "Leave Miguel and Luna out of this!"

"I'm sure Miguel only pretends to love that girl he never wanted. At least I have the decency to admit I never loved Ms. Annoying Voice," Dirk pointed at the children's room. "She's just another disappointment you brought to my life."

While blinking fast, I tried to absorb all the absurd things I'd heard. I felt like my heart had been stabbed a hundred times. I had a feeling he didn't love Tess, but I didn't think I was right... I didn't want to be right.

"You're worse than my stepmother! She didn't love a child who wasn't hers, but you..." I breathed heavily as some tears ran down my cheeks. "You don't love your own daughter! You're sick!"

Dirk ground his teeth, "Ms. Annoying Voice isn't my daughter!"

Who did I marry? What have I done?

Although I hate to admit it, my heart knew I'd chosen the wrong man. Honestly, I'd been feeling that way for a long time. I tried to convince myself Dirk had an aggressive personality because of his violent father, but that was a lousy excuse. Despite what Hendrika and my dad did to me, I became a funny lady... I know you love my jokes! Anyway, despite the few good things Dirk Bosch had done, he wasn't anything like the person I once loved... or perhaps I was too blind to see who he was.

"What happened to you, Dirk? You've always been angry, but I didn't expect you to be so horrible!" I laughed nervously to avoid sobbing. "You used your rage to protect me. Now you use it for the exact opposite... My cousin was right."

"Your behavior makes me miserable!" he shot me a cold stare. "If you can't be different, then you don't love me anymore."

I really don't!

When I was about to talk, I lifted a brow. There was a pineapple smell nearby. I gawked as the scent got stronger once I walked near Dirk. He frowned, seemingly thinking I was crazy. The damn fragrance was all over Bosch... Guess what? He wasn't as lonely as I'd thought!

"The 'better things' you do aren't just drinking and chatting with the cannons," I bit my lower lip. "You have another woman."

My husband glanced away and pressed his lips together. I should've listened to Maartje when she said Dirk had a secret... That was the worst silent moment ever! Although life had taught me a lot, I didn't know how I didn't see that coming. How could I be so wrong about a person?

"Tamara and I have been having an affair for a year," Dirk raised his brows and shrugged. "You're a terrible wife! What did you expect?"

Taking a deep breath, I remembered the thirteen-year-old me making an effort to please Hendrika. Even though I tried to avoid people like her all my life, I married one... Ironic, wasn't it? That situation was almost funny! I stared at my toes once I realized my mistake. I shouldn't have put up with that idiot for so long... What had I done? I deserved better! Dirk wanted to convince me otherwise, but I knew I did.

I went from an abusive person to another! I'm such an idiot...

I sighed, "Good luck to Tamara because I've had enough!"

The redhead glowered, "What's that supposed to mean?"

A wave of memories struck me like a terrible blow. I thought Dirk and I would be together for eternity, but that proved to be untrue... Honestly, I wasn't sad about the breakup. I'd be miserable if I stayed with that bastard forever. There was no way I'd keep that toxic relationship alive. I stopped loving Dirk once I saw he was just another Hendrika... maybe even before that.

"You don't deserve me. I'm not blind anymore," I took a deep breath. "I thought staying in this relationship would benefit Tess, but she's better off without you and so am I. We are over, Dirk!"

Bosch gawked and shot me the angriest glare ever. I didn't move, hiding how scared I was. My heart was beating faster, but it wasn't because of love. I didn't love Dirk anymore. Our relationship had died a long time ago. All I wanted was to be away from him.

Dirk pointed his index finger to my nose, "This isn't over until I make a decision!"

"Shut up! I'm happy our marriage wasn't official," I crossed my arms. "You'll leave Ocean Storm once we dock. If you resist, I know at least three people who'd gladly drag you out."

Some tears ran down my cheeks, but the breakup wasn't the cause. It was the death of the love Dirk and I once had. His aggressiveness and abuse shattered my heart as well. I gulped once Bosch clenched both fists. He ground his teeth and attempted to punch me in the face. I gaped after dodging, wondering if that maniac ever loved me.

Bosch's eyes widened, "I don't know what I saw in you, Eva. You and Ms. Annoying Voice are the worst things that ever happened to me."

Dirk grabbed my neck and pressed me against the wall. Even though I tried to escape, he was too strong. I barely felt the air going up my nostrils. His cold hands squeezed my neck so firmly that I wondered how he didn't break it.

Where's Francis when I need him?

I gasped, "You got angry at your father because he was a violent adulterer, but you're just like him!"

"Taking that bullet for you is my biggest regret!" Dirk bared his teeth. "I should've let you die! You and your stupid half Spanish daughter!"

Swallowing the tears, I narrowed my eyes. I wouldn't give Dirk the pleasure of my misery. I made that mistake with Hendrika and was determined not to repeat it... but things can always get worse, can't they? My eyes widened once Luna left the kids' room. She probably got scared at the noise when Bosch attacked me... Damn it!

"Stop hurting my mom!" Luna sobbed. "Please!"

Dirk glared at my daughter, "Shut up, dumb girl!"

I scowled, "Don't you dare talk to Luna like that!"

"I'm not dumb! You are!" my daughter breathed faster and looked around. "Help! Mommy needs ayuda!"

Yes, Luna! Shout it for everyone to listen!

Why were kids so indiscreet? I know my little girl wanted to save me, but I didn't want anyone to see Dirk smashing my neck... well, guess what? Too late! Miguel came running. He froze for a moment. At least Maartje, Laurens, and the other kids didn't leave the room as well. The Spaniard gawked and his eyes bulged as I kept gasping for air. Gálvez whispered something in Spanish to our daughter and quickly took her to the kids' room.

"Who's stronger now?" Bosch's lips curled into a sadistic grin. "You won't hurt me! I know you have a soft heart."

I raised a brow when Miguel came back with a blunderbuss. He slowly approached my former husband from behind... What was Gálvez up to? I hoped he didn't end up hurt because the last thing I needed was more trouble. If Dirk was violent towards me, he could also attack Miguel.

"Eva won't because she's too good for you, but I definitely will if necessary," Gálvez put his pistol to Bosch's temple. "Let her go!"

Dirk gulped while pressing his fingers against my neck even harder. My eyes nearly popped out of my face since the air wouldn't stop vanishing.

"Don't test me, desgraciado! I'll count to three," Miguel unlocked his blunderbuss and narrowed his eyes. "One, two..."

"Fine! This was none of your business, but I'll let her go!" Bosch released me and glared at the Spaniard. "Satisfied now?"

"You made my daughter cry and attacked someone I care deeply about, so it's definitely my business!" Gálvez placed the pistol back in his weapon belt while frowning. "Now get out!"

"Why should I listen to you?" Dirk bared his teeth. "You aren't even a real man! What kind of idiot spends so much time around kids?"

"Of course. Freaking out constantly and mistreating the family is exactly how a real man acts," Miguel grinned sarcastically. "That's why everyone loves you!"

Putting a hand on my mouth, I hid a laugh. Bosch ground his teeth and clenched both fists as if he was about to explode. When I thought Dirk would punch Miguel, he huffed and walked away. I needed help to escape my abusive former husband... Wasn't that humiliating? I felt ridiculous!

"Thank you, Miguel. That was incredible," I walked fast while crying. "I need some air."

The Spaniard approached me, "Wait! Please, don't cry!"

After running to the forecastle deck, I sat on a hidden corner. My tears wouldn't stop flowing as I observed the stars. What a night... Have you ever felt like disappearing forever? Although I wanted to hide from everyone, I sighed in relief when Miguel sat on my right. Just by looking at him, I felt at ease... How did he manage that? I couldn't understand.

"I'm sorry for lying that night. Dirk was the one who scratched my wrist," I put both hands on my face. "I should've let you teach that maniac a lesson."

"This isn't your fault," Miguel caressed my back. "Besides, he'd probably ignore me."

I chuckled nervously, "I think he would've tried to punch you in the face."

Gálvez and I laughed. Even though I was still upset about Bosch's violence, I felt lighter... That was so good! I really needed a moment of relaxation after having my heart destroyed.

Miguel shook his head in denial, "I can't believe that loco hurt you!"

"At least Dirk is leaving tomorrow," I let out a pronounced sigh. "I broke up with him."

He gawked and looked deep into my eyes, apparently hypnotized. I tilted my head to the side, wondering what was in his mind. It seemed Miguel wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out... Perhaps his Dutch needed practice.

Gálvez cleared his throat, "Really? How are you feeling?"

"I'm relieved. I shouldn't have put up with him for so long! What a waste of time!" I chuckled nervously. "This is so embarrassing..."

"Don't say that about yourself. Dirk's the one who should be ashamed," Gálvez gently touched my bruised skin. "You must let Kenneth heal these injuries."

"I don't want Kenneth to see me like this," I winced as if Dirk still crushed me. "Is Luna alright?"

"She will be. Luna is very strong," he sighed. "Just like her mother."

I couldn't help but smile. Miguel was sweeter than I deserved, especially because I wasn't able to save myself. My hands were full of sweat once I remembered what Bosch had done.

I shook my head in denial, "If you were right, I would've set myself free from Dirk's grip."

"You saved everyone in this ship multiple times. Being rescued doesn't make anyone weak," Gálvez wiped away my tears with his thumbs while smiling. "Even the queen of piracy needs help sometimes."

Why is Miguel so wonderful?

Suddenly, I forgot all my worries. My neck hurt less, my lips curled into a wide grin, and I stopped sweating insanely. Once more, Gálvez made me relieved just with a few words... He was amazing! Maartje and Laurens were great, but they couldn't turn my tears into a smile as efficiently as Miguel could.

"How can you make me happy so easily? Are you a wizard?" I laughed and rested my head on his shoulder. "Only magic could explain this craziness."

Miguel put an arm around my back, "I can't do magic, but I'll always be here for you."

We stayed on the main deck for a while. Even though I had countless matters to solve, I really needed a moment of peace. Feeling safe, I closed my eyes. My heart was warmer and calmer than ever before... Isn't that what happens when a good friend is nearby? My problems didn't disappear, but they stopped bothering me for a few minutes. That relaxing moment helped me to sleep better once I returned to my room.

****

Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is well. Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and follow the "Battles and Secrets" playlist on Spotify. All translations can be found below. What does the breakup mean for Eva's future? Will Dirk attack her again? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance: 

1. Ayuda means "help" in Spanish

2. Desgraciado means "bastard" in Spanish (not a literal translation)

3. Loco means "crazy" in Spanish (directed to a man since it ends in "o")