He stares out across the railing into the ocean that is as black as his own heart. She wasn't there. She never really was. The image of red hair on the deck jeered at his memory.

He wondered if it was possible to die from a broken heart. Without Rose he was- NO! He can't afford to think that way. He had to be the responsible business man that his father raised him to be, not some bawling child. What happened was simply… for the better. The world was a little better without Rose and her gutter rat whom she loved so much.

Her gutter rat, his subconscious taunted. Who she loved more than you. She never loved you. She never did. She was untamable, like wildfire. You were only destined to get burned, it mocked.

What would his father say? Did he really care what he said? There was business than needed to be attended to. Just because you didn't find her in third class doesn't mean it's time to slack off, the logical, more functioning part of his brain said to him, you have to send a message to your father that Rose are Lovejoy are gone, the diamond is gone. You need to find yourself a new fiancé, one without the fire, one who can be tamed and is a docile meek little thing. Now is not the time to go weak, boy. You must show them all that Caledon Hockley is not weak. He can not fall down. He can not love.

It's a lie. An act, I say!

He glared into the horizon, watching the green statue come nearer. He'd never really understood why that was the symbol of freedom in the country he'd grown up in, but this time, as they entered the harbor, he understood. It wasn't just freedom that the copper lady represented: it was a clean slate. It was that chance to begin fresh. Like she never existed.

You'll be happier this way.

Maybe you can go see one of those Broadway shows Rose always begged you to take you to, he mused, somewhat thoughtfully. But as he stepped onto the gangplank, he knew he couldn't. He saw his father, waiting patiently for him in the crowd. He had responsiblities, duties.

Rose was the past.

This was his future, his family's future, hisdestiny.

I always win, Jack. One way or another.

He would never admit that in the end, he had lost.