The morning sun sat low over the Persian Gulf, laying a sheet of gold across the calm water. The superyacht Mia cut through the gentle swell without a single shudder, leaving a long white foam behind her. Ahead, the sandy line of the Abu Dhabi coast was already rising out of the heat haze.
Up on the wide aft deck, the mood was slow and warm. A light breeze took the edge off the desert heat and fluttered the white sunshades overhead.
Near the teak railing, Yanxia stood on her tiptoes with her chest pressed against the wood. Her black hair whipped across her face in the wind, and her bright eyes followed every flying fish that skipped across the sea.
"Look, Papa! More fish with wings!" she yelled over the wind. She leaned out a little farther and pointed with both hands. "Can we catch one? Just one?"
Liam stood right beside her, holding the back of her yellow sundress so she couldn't tip over.
