Chapter 4
She came back a few minutes later with a complicated look on her face.
“Captain says he’s managing flight operations and can’t step away. He asks that all passengers remain calm and that everything will be addressed after landing.”
Rose looked like she was about to explode, but then the PA crackled on.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the interruption. It’s been brought to my attention that a passenger in business class has been causing a serious disturbance and has physically attacked someone, specifically my wife, who boarded this flight today to surprise me. I will not stand by while she’s being treated this way. I’m asking security personnel to immediately restrain the disruptive passenger and ensure the safety of everyone on board, including my wife. We will resolve this fully after landing. Thank you for your patience.”
Every head in the cabin turned toward me.
I could hear the whispers from all directions.
“So she’s the one who started it.” “She looks so normal.” “Poor captain’s wife, dealing with this on her own husband’s flight.”
Ruby looked up at me, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Mom, why did Dad say that?”
A chill ran through me.
Two security officers reached our row.
“Ma’am, we need you to come with us.”
Rose jumped right in.
“She attacked me for no reason. My husband just told you she’s unstable. Take her.”
An older flight attendant pulled me aside and spoke quietly.
“Ma’am, I’d strongly suggest you apologize. Her husband isn’t just the captain. He’s the chairman’s son. You really don’t want to push this.”
I almost laughed.
The chairman’s son?
I didn’t know the chairman had a son. My father certainly hadn’t mentioned it.
Rose sneered.
“Of course you wouldn’t know. My husband is Chairman Alex’s illegitimate son, just recently acknowledged. Why would someone like you be in the loop?”
She turned back to the officers.
“Arrest her. I want her handed over to police the second we land.”
The officer looked at me apologetically.
“Ma’am, if you’re not willing to apologize, we’re going to have to move you to the isolated seats in the back.”
“I have nothing to apologize for,” I said. “If anyone should be apologizing, it’s her, for publicly insulting people.”
The attendant contacted the cockpit again.
The reply came fast.
“Captain’s orders to maintain flight safety. Security is to remove the disruptive passenger from business class immediately. Use of force is authorized if necessary.”
The officer sighed and gestured toward the back of the plane.
“Ma’am, please.”
The whole cabin was staring. Rose lifted her chin, victory all over her face.
I looked around at the passengers, who had no idea what was really going on. At the crew members caught in the middle. At my little girl, shaking in my arms.
A rage I had never felt before burned through my entire body.
Jet, you didn’t just betray our marriage. You were using your position to cover for your mistress and drag my name through the mud in front of our daughter.
Fine.
I crouched down and wiped the tears off Ruby’s face.
“Don’t be scared, baby. Mommy’s got you.”
Then I stood up, looked the security officer straight in the eye, and said clearly, “Let’s go.”