Jason turned his head slowly to the right. Ten steps away, beside a luggage cart, stood his captain, Captain Reyes, in full uniform, with two port security officers behind him. Beside them stood a woman in a navy blazer holding a clipboard, and my father, who had flown in the night before. Jason’s mistress took a step back. “Natalie, what is this?” he whispered. I shifted the babies in my arms.

“Three weeks ago, I emailed the cruise line’s human resources office,” I said calmly. “I sent them every message you wrote me from the ship, and every photo your crewmates posted. Your captain agreed to meet you here.” The woman in the blazer stepped forward. “Mr. Hale, I am from the company’s legal department,” she said. “We need to speak with you about the crew conduct policy and the guest you brought aboard.”