My Pilot Husband Gave My Dying Father's Last Flight to His Mistress

On reunion night, my father was dying. I booked the earliest flight, desperate to see him one last time.

I was stopped at the gate.

"The flight's oversold. Didn't you agree to rebook for tomorrow?"

The agent handed me a rebooking form.

The scrawled signature was unmistakably my husband's handwriting.

Thinking of my father clinging to life, I called Colin Matthews immediately, furious and frantic.

He wasn't even rattled. Instead, he blamed me for not being understanding.

"If Scarlett can't board, she'll miss the game. She'll throw a fit and file a complaint."

"I'm the captain. I have to protect the company's image. You're my wife—can't you support my career?"

"If a complaint could've been avoided but the company gets dragged into it because of you, people will say I'm playing favorites."

"We have to avoid any appearance of impropriety."

I laughed in disbelief and sent him the divorce papers.

Fine. Let's divorce. Then he won't have to try so hard to avoid suspicion.

——

"Elise, your dad's taken a turn."

"The doctor says he might not last three hours. He's been waiting for you…"

Mom's voice broke. I swallowed my pride and begged Colin over and over.

"Please. I'm begging you. This is the only flight that'll get me there in time."

"Scarlett Simmons can catch the next game. My father is dying."

His voice went cold.

"Elise Henson, Scarlett's been waiting four years for this game. How can you be so selfish?"

"Besides, doctors always exaggerate to scare families. Stop scaring yourself—and stop trying to guilt-trip me."

I started to explain, but then I heard Scarlett's voice in the background, bored and dismissive.

"Oh, Colin. Is Elise doing that thing where she cries and throws a fit? I told you—women are exhausting."

"If she really wants the seat, she can have it. I'm just an outsider, after all."

Colin rushed to reassure her.

I choked back the urge to scream.

"Colin Matthews, everything you have—my dad helped you get it—"

He cut me off.

"Stop dragging up the past! I'm the captain now. I have to avoid impropriety!"

"If I bump Scarlett for you and she complains, people will say I abused my position! If the company investigates, my career is over!"

"Enough. Take the train. Stop making a scene."

The line went dead.

Outside the terminal windows, the plane pulled away from the gate.

I crouched on the floor, clutching that rebooking form, helpless.

Four years ago, Colin was just a first officer. His coworkers froze him out. He nearly lost his job.

My father vouched for him. That's the only reason he stayed.

Back then, Colin held me and swore he'd never let my parents down. Never let me down.

Now he'd severed my last chance to see my father with his own hands.

My eyes burned. I scrambled to find another way.

Trains—sold out. Buses—full.

My car—Colin had borrowed it. I didn't even know where it was parked.

I hired a driver at triple the rate and raced down the highway through the night.

Dad, wait for me.

As we cleared the toll booth, my phone buzzed.

Scarlett had posted an update.

Landed! My best bro came through—made it to the game right on time.