Elias’s gaze never wavered from hers as Callie fumbled with the buttons, her heartbeat quickening with every touch, every shared breath.‘Okay, okay,’ Elias said, his voice a soft rumble that caressed her senses, ‘let me show you the right way to do it.’Their close proximity sent a jolt of electricity through Callie’s veins, her skin tingling with awareness.Elias’s fingers gently covered hers, guiding her in a dance as old as time—buttoning a uniform, yet somehow feeling like so much more.‘See, Bunny,’ Elias murmured, his breath warm against her cheek, ‘it’s all about the finesse. You’ve got to be gentle, but firm. Just like this.’Callie’s heart raced as Elias’s fingers moved with expert precision, the fabric of his uniform coat yielding to his touch.Her breath caught in her throat as their hands lingered, their gazes locked in a silent exchange that spoke volumes of the unstated feelings between them.‘There you go,’ Elias said, his voice a mere whisper that sent a shiver down h
The news of Simon’s arrest spread like wildfire, reaching the halls of Rosedale Hospital in Steinheim.Stuart Colman received a letter from the army, his face growing increasingly dark as he read the contents.He summoned Abby into his office and handed the letter to her. ‘Take a look at this.’Abby’s brows furrowed as she read the letter, her eyes widening in shock. ‘Simon… arrested?’Stuart nodded, his expression mirroring his daughter’s. ‘For espionage and theft and resisting arrest. Apparently, he tried to run when they came for him.’Abby read the letter again, too stunned to fully process its meaning.Despite the impending divorce between her and Simon, a part of her still held feelings for him.She clutched the letter tightly, her mind racing with thoughts. ‘I can’t believe this.’When she manoeuvred to get Simon to go to Valour Ridge Military Academy, she only did it with the hope that Simon would see the true colours of Callie, who’d hooked up with someone more powerful than
Angelia’s frustration was palpable as she muttered, ‘Abusing your power as the principal, aren’t you?’Elias leaned back in his chair. ‘Changing personnel at the health centre is well within my purview.’Angelia took a deep breath, her expression strained. ‘Fine.’She turned abruptly and stormed out of the office, her footsteps echoing down the hallway.Elias watched her leave, his face a mask of resolve.As the door closed behind her, his attention turned to his computer clock.Noticing the time, he quickly logged off and pushed away from his desk.It was time to take Callie to lunch.***After lunch, Elias guided Callie down a series of hallways within the academy.With each step, Callie’s intrigue grew. ‘I’ve never been to this part of campus before. Where are we going?’‘You’ll know soon enough.’ Stopping before a set of grand double doors, Elias turned to Callie with a dramatic flourish. ‘Ready for this?’Callie’s eyes widened as the doors swung open to reveal a sprawling indoor
‘It’s more interesting than you think.’ Callie raised the journal over her head to show him. ‘It’s about using drones to support medical field care when casualty evacuation isn’t an option. This model here can keep whole blood and other crucial items refrigerated in the autonomous portable refrigeration unit and take it to medics in the field on the frontline.’‘Sounds…interesting.’ Elias pinched her cheek. ‘Bunny, you should start packing.’Callie glanced up at him, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. ‘Packing? Why?’Elias’s smile was enigmatic. ‘Because tomorrow afternoon, at fourteen thirty hours, to be precise, I’ll be picking you up.’Callie’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Picking me up? For what?’Elias leaned in, his voice a whisper. ‘For our honeymoon, Bunny.’A mixture of surprise and delight washed over Callie’s features. ‘Honeymoon? Elias, you planned this?’Elias nodded, a twinkle in his eyes. ‘It’s a surprise, Bunny. Just make sure you pack everything you’ll need for a few
Elias kept his eyes on the road ahead. ‘Well, she was particularly beautiful.’Callie’s lips twitched, her tone laced with feigned indifference. ‘Of course, she must have been.’Elias’s eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘And smart. Very smart.’Callie raised an eyebrow, her playful façade cracking slightly. ‘Naturally. What else?’‘Considerate. She had a big heart.’Callie huffed softly, crossing her arms. ‘Sounds like quite the catch.’Elias’s grin widened. ‘You could say that.’Callie’s curiosity gave way to a touch of irritation.She uncrossed her arms and looked at Elias pointedly. ‘Are you being honest with me?’Elias nodded. ‘Of course. I wouldn’t lie to you.’Callie let out a small sigh, her emotions swirling within her.She pouted slightly, her eyes narrowing. ‘Well, isn’t that just great? Your first love sounds like she was perfect.’Elias nodded again. ‘She was. Still is.’Callie said grumpily, ‘You could have lied a little.’‘You deserve the truth.’Callie looked away, unsure if
Elias eased back, his fingers lingering on her cheek as he caressed it gently. ‘Don’t worry, Bunny. The honeymoon’s just beginning. We’ve arrived.’Callie blinked, peering through the rain-streaked glass.The downpour had turned everything into a blurry landscape.‘Where are we?’ she asked, trying hard to make out her surroundings.‘Wingston Outpost. It used to be a military outpost built over a hundred years ago, hence the name, but now it’s turned into a small tourist town and known simply as Wingston.’Callie squinted hard and gradually discerned where they’d stopped—it seemed like a yard, perhaps a car park, and in the distance, a building beckoned through the curtain of rain.Elias’s warm hand closed around hers. ‘Shall we?’She nodded.With a purposeful grip, he led her out of the jeep, their footsteps splashing in puddles as they sprinted through the downpour.‘Come on, Bunny!’ Elias called over the sound of the rain, his voice holding a hint of exhilaration.Their laughter int
Callie gaped at Elias as he settled into the tub.His dark hair was damp, droplets of water trickling down his broad shoulders.He scooted closer to her until their sides brushed against each other.‘Get out of your wet clothes, he said. Enjoy a peaceful bath, he said,’ Callie muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes.Elias laughed heartily, the sound echoing off the tiled walls. ‘Well, I don’t know about you, but I find this bath far more entertaining now.’With a theatrical sigh, Callie leaned back against the edge of the tub, her lips curving into a small smile. ‘Oh, really? And what exactly makes this bath so... entertaining?’Elias’s grin turned wicked as he reached out and gently tugged at one of her loose curls. ‘Well, for starters, the company is much better than any scented candle.’Her cheeks flushed, but she refused to let him see how his words affected her.Instead, she shot back, ‘You know, I was actually enjoying a peaceful moment until someone decided to crash my bub
The menu at the restaurant was a symphony of flavours, paying tribute to the diverse culinary preferences of soldiers hailing from around the world.The dishes ranged from familiar comfort foods to exotic delights.‘Soldier’s Stew’ promised a hearty blend of meats and vegetables, evoking memories of rations shared during campaigns.‘Sergeant’s Surf & Turf’ boasted succulent cuts of meat and fresh seafood.The lighting, subdued yet warm, cast a gentle glow reminiscent of soldiers finding solace around a flickering campfire after a long day.Soft chatter and laughter intertwined with the subtle background music, creating an ambience that resonated with both camaraderie and romance.‘It almost feels like I’m back at the academy,’ Callie said. ‘But with better-smelling food.’The waitstaff, dressed in uniforms that mirrored military attire from various eras, moved with disciplined grace.Their attentive service echoed the dedication and precision that defined soldiers in the field.Each d
Callie, weakened but resilient, looked up as Elias entered the ward.A soft smile played on her lips despite the pain that lingered in her eyes. ‘I was wondering where you disappeared off to.’Elias took a moment to absorb the sight of her, the woman he loved, fighting her way back to health.The bandages on her abdomen marked the physical toll of the recent events, but the warmth in her eyes brought a sense of calm to Elias’s troubled soul.‘Hey, Bunny,’ Elias greeted, his smile genuine as he approached her bedside.He gently took her hand, mindful of her injuries. ‘How are you feeling?’Callie’s eyes sparkled with gratitude. ‘Getting there. The doctors say I’ll make a full recovery with time.’Elias nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of recent events. ‘There’s something I need to tell you.’As Elias shared the shocking truth about General Conway’s betrayal and the revelation about his parents’ deaths, Callie’s expression shifted from concern to disbelief and, ultimately, sorrow
Callie felt herself falling into his trap, struggling to maintain a hardened heart as his doting gaze softened her resolve.‘Callie, you’re my wife. We are supposed to share a bed,’ his voice, deep and intoxicating, whispered in her ear.He embraced her tightly, a possessive need evident in his hold.‘Callie, I want you to love me like before. I lied to protect you. But now I realise I was wrong. I promise, no more lies. Please, at least don’t ignore me. It breaks me...’ His eyes, full of affection, revealed vulnerability.Elias, usually so strong, trembled in his plea.His voice carried a hint of regret. ‘I messed up, and damn it, I know it. Are you willing to forgive me?’Callie sighed. ‘Elias, just promise not to pull something like this again.’‘I won’t hurt you with lies anymore,’ he vowed.‘No more lies, Elias. Not even one,’ she declared.‘I swear.’ To seal his promise, he planted kisses on her forehead, eyes, and nose, soothing her turmoil.Dylan’s knock shattered Elias’s plan
Callie drifted in and out of a dream-laden slumber, the ebb and flow of consciousness gently pulling her into the waking world.The enticing fragrance of chicken soup teased her senses, coaxing her from the depths of sleep.Elias had returned, a culinary saviour armed with a thermos of steaming chicken soup. ‘I used the mess hall kitchen to make this for you,’ he announced with a quiet pride.Drawing in a deep breath, Callie’s stomach couldn’t contain its eagerness, emitting a low growl that echoed through the room.‘Callie, tell me, what’s that sound?’ His question, though not a direct accusation, draped her in a blanket of embarrassment.‘Ahem!’ Callie, determined to maintain her composure, responded with a feigned nonchalance.‘I didn’t hear any sound,’ she declared, though the rumblings from her stomach suggested otherwise.She fought to suppress the impending growl, hoping Elias wouldn’t witness this audible betrayal.‘No sound?’ Elias’s raised brow and assertive tone exposed her
Elias’s eyes snapped open the moment he heard someone coughing.He sat bolt upright in the chair and turned towards Callie.Her eyes were open.‘Callie! You are awake!’In a haze, Callie recognised Elias’s voice.Struggling, she forced her eyes open, greeted by the familiar sight of a white ceiling—a hospital room.Elias’s hand held hers, his calloused palm brushing against her skin.‘Elias,’ she whispered weakly, her eyes glistening with tears.Her voice, frail, held a hint of disbelief. ‘Am I still dreaming?’The last she knew, Elias was in custody.The Elias before her now felt like a dream, and she doubted her reality.Elias, red-eyed and exhausted, held her hands tightly, reassuring her, ‘Bunny, what are you talking about? Of course I’m real.’Callie sighed. ‘Good…’Relieved, she closed her eyes, slipping back into sleep.‘Callie!’ Elias’s heart skipped a beat, fear gnawing at him.He rushed outside, calling for Jamison and the medical team. ‘Quick, take a look at her. She woke u
The puzzle of Mindy’s escape persisted, leaving Dylan in the dark, grappling with the mystery that allowed her to slip away undetected.A knock came on the door.‘Come in.’Dwight entered, settling gracefully into a chair opposite Dylan.He produced a pack of cigarettes, extending it toward Dylan.Dylan accepted it, extracting a cigarette, igniting it with a flick of his lighter, and indulging in the smoke that soon enveloped the room.Dwight, sensing Dylan’s foul mood, asked, ‘General Sheppard, not in the best spirits today?’Dylan retorted, ‘Aren’t you in the same boat?’A subtle smile played on Dwight’s lips as he selected a cigarette from the pack.His slender fingers expertly lit it, the room filling with the fragrance of tobacco and a haze of smoke.‘Any updates on Mindy?’‘Not yet,’ Dylan replied after a brief pause. ‘Which is a problem for you. That woman is more cunning than her father. I think she’s the one behind your assassination plot, not Carl. By the way, when do you pl
‘I planned everything single-handedly. This has nothing to do with my daughter Mindy,’ Carl pleaded. ‘I only had her run a few errands for me. She didn’t know what she was doing.’‘Do you think your excuse is convincing?’ Dwight retorted. ‘Mindy isn’t seven years old. She’s twenty-seven, an adult fully responsible for her own actions.’Dylan, acting on Dwight’s orders, directed his subordinates to arrest Mindy and release Elias.Carl, comprehending the depth of his miscalculations, lashed out at Dylan.He felt betrayed by the very person he trusted.‘Dylan, you ungrateful scoundrel! I trusted you so much, yet you did this to me! You even took advantage of my daughter. You are going to hell for this!’ Carl screamed, blaming Dylan for their downfall.Dylan was unfazed.Nothing Carl said mattered, not any more.Dylan exchanged a look with Dwight; there would be time to celebrate later.However, their joy was short-lived.About twenty minutes later, a soldier returned, reporting that they
Inga was supposed to be dead, but Dylan assured him that he’d killed her, even brought back her charred corpse.And the witness secured by Mindy couldn’t be Inga.Dylan must have made the switch.Carl was right to suspect him; his protégé had betrayed him.Carl glared resentfully at Dylan, at the culprit who crushed his dream of presidency.Dylan leaned against the wall, hands in pockets, unfazed.‘Dylan!’ Carl bellowed.The general seemed to have aged in a matter of minutes.Dylan gave him a mischievous smile. ‘Did I do something wrong, General Conway?’‘You—’ Carl yelled, ready to tear into Dylan for the betrayal.But glancing around the room, he halted.Others were present—Harriet, Dwight, and the three cabinet ministers.To reprimand Dylan would be akin to admitting to his own crimes.Fury painted his face as he contemplated his next move.Dwight glanced at Carl.The situation resembled a chess game, with Carl in the inferior position.He should sense his disadvantage, understandi
Carl waited in his office, too worked up to sit still.A knock on the door, and then Mindy entered. ‘Dad, it’s done. We have the witness and evidence. Everything will unfold just as you want.’Joy sparkled in Carl’s eyes, grateful for his daughter’s assistance. ‘Good, Mindy. Get Dylan here immediately. I want Elias’s trial to begin ASAP.’Mindy nodded, a wicked smile on her face, and left to find Dylan.She brought Natee along, with the woman’s face veiled to conceal her identity.Meeting Dylan, Mindy relayed Carl’s instructions.Dylan’s eyes lingered on her earlobes, adorned with the pink pearl earrings. ‘You did an excellent job. Your dad is right to be proud of you. I am, too.’Mindy shrugged. ‘It was easy.’Dylan shifted his focus to Natee. ‘Mindy, go get changed. I’ll handle your witness. We’ll gather everyone in half an hour.’‘Alright!’ Mindy nodded.***The Kurtazagg border weather was frigid, and the air threatened to freeze.Dwight, draped in a wool coat, moved towards the m
But Dylan’s eyes remained ice-cold as he swiftly secured the earrings onto her earlobes. ‘Done.’Standing on her tiptoes, Mindy gave him a quick kiss on the lips. ‘Thank you.’Dylan didn’t reciprocate the kiss.He just looked at her with a smile, concealing the disgust he felt.Duty called, and Dylan left the dorm shortly after.Usually, Mindy would have been disappointed.But tonight, she had other plans—meeting the leader of Kurtazagg’s largest militant group and collecting the evidence framing Elias.Once the trial was over, Elias’s fate would be sealed, and her father would be one step closer to the presidency.Mindy shed her luxurious coat for a sleek black suit and donned a plain black mask.She examined her reflection in the mirror and noticed that the pink pearl earrings seemed a bit conspicuous.About to take them off, she remembered Dylan’s words and kept them on.These were Dylan’s gifts, and she’d wear them always.Ready, she stepped out of the dorm and found two men in bl