‘All right,’ Callie agreed, slipping off her white coat and making her way downstairs with Elias.Elias was in civilian clothes, his jacket devoid of any intricate design, yet the man exuded a charm that captivated those around him.His face remained impassive, and his dark eyes resembled the depths of a bewitching night, luring people into their enchanting gaze.As Callie and Elias stepped out of the lift, their mere presence drew the attention of the entire room, with most of the eyes falling on Elias.It wasn’t because Callie lacked in beauty, but Elias possessed a natural magnetism that compelled all eyes to gravitate towards him.Feeling overshadowed by his dazzling allure, Callie instinctively created a distance between them.She attempted to do so discreetly, but as a perceptive soldier, Elias caught onto her actions.Amidst the scrutinizing gazes of onlookers, he took the initiative and gently clasped Callie’s hand.Her hand, petite and delicate, was effortlessly enveloped by
The deafening sound of her own heartbeat made Callie wonder if Elias could hear it too.‘Are you mad?’ he asked.Rolling her eyes, Callie snorted. ‘Mad at you? Please, don’t flatter yourself.’‘All right, let’s go then.’ Elias stepped down on the gas pedal.The Pagani roared to life, then sped out of the parking lot.Under the night sky, Callie glanced at Elias by her side and couldn’t help but feel a whirlwind of emotions.Marrying a man she had only known for a few days—a soldier, no less—was beyond surreal.And on top of that, he was wealthy.It felt like she had stepped into a dream, a beautiful but unreal fantasy.Elias, observing Callie’s gaze, had the urge to flick her forehead. ‘Why are you looking at me like that? Having second thoughts? Bunny, let me make it clear: you’ve already made a promise, so there’s no turning back.’Callie shook her head, a playful smile curling her lips. ‘I wasn’t thinking about that. And who said I didn’t want to marry you? No matter how you look a
Elias frowned at Simon, still clutching onto him like a bear, his expression a mix of disgust and annoyance.Without hesitation, Elias delivered a swift karate chop to the back of Simon’s neck, causing him to instantly lose consciousness.With Simon incapacitated, Elias effortlessly lifted him in his arms, carrying him away from Callie’s house.He placed Simon on a bench about fifty meters away, ensuring he would be safe before returning to Callie.As the events replayed in Callie’s mind, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter once again, her joy infectious. ‘I can’t believe that just happened!’ she exclaimed, wiping away tears of mirth.Elias raised an eyebrow at her, a mixture of amusement and exasperation in his eyes. ‘You really have no sense of self-preservation, do you? What would you have done if I wasn’t here today?’‘I... I don’t know,’ Callie stammered, her eyes flickering with vulnerability.She fidgeted, unsure of how to express her gratitude to Elias.The man just prot
Callie emerged from the bathroom, her damp hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders.Spotting Elias engrossed in a book on the sofa, she approached him with a smile.‘I’m done. It’s your turn now,’ she announced cheerfully.Elias looked up from his book and his eyes widened at the sight before him.Callie’s slender legs, flawless and captivating, seemed to go on forever.He couldn’t tear his gaze away, his thoughts veering into dangerous territory.‘D*mn, she’s got legs that could stop traffic,’ Elias thought, his mouth going dry.Callie, oblivious to Elias’s internal struggle, walked closer, her legs carrying her with grace.She absentmindedly wiped her wet hair with a towel, unknowingly intensifying the allure.Her proximity overwhelmed Elias.His normally disciplined self was being tested by the irresistible temptation.He swallowed hard, his desire threatening to break free.‘Uh, Elias?’ Callie’s voice broke through his trance. ‘Aren’t you going to shower?’Elias quickly s
Elias, who had been lying there still as a corpse, shifted slightly.With a gentle touch, he carefully turned Callie to face him, his arms effortlessly encircling her in a warm embrace.In that moment, his heart swelled with an unfamiliar warmth, melting away the icy barriers he had built around himself.It was a vulnerability he had rarely experienced.A soft chuckle escaped Elias’s lips as he watched Callie sleep, her peaceful expression accentuated by the moonlight filtering through the curtains.He marvelled at the stark contrast between the men he had slept beside, all muscular and imposing, and the delicate girl in his arms.‘You’re something else, aren’t you?’ Elias whispered, his voice filled with tenderness. ‘I never thought I’d find myself yearning for someone like you.’As the night enveloped them in its tender embrace, Elias’s heart danced to a different rhythm.The walls he had built to protect himself began to crumble, replaced by an overwhelming desire to protect and ch
Elias leaned against the doorjamb, his gaze fixated on Callie’s delicate frame as she moved with grace and purpose.Her slender calves flexed as she tiptoed to reach for something in a cupboard, a mesmerizing sight that sent a thrill through his veins.Callie hummed a cheerful tune, her voice carrying a melody only she could hear.A smile played upon her lips, her eyelashes fluttering like the wings of a butterfly.She hung the washed olive military uniform with care, her small hands treating it with reverence.Outside the window, the sky painted a breathtaking scene—a canvas of blue with fluffy white clouds.The sunlight filtered through the glass, casting a golden glow upon Callie’s white shirt—his shirt, accentuating her radiant beauty.Elias’s heart skipped a beat as he witnessed the ethereal image before him.A surge of gratitude filled his chest, the thought of marrying such a lovely woman like Callie becoming an unexpected blessing.She was like an adorable bunny, captivating h
Unaware of her seductive stance, Callie focused on tending to his wounds.She applied anti-inflammatory medicine and spread it evenly with cotton balls.Her touch was gentle, trying to minimize Elias’s discomfort.The dedicated doctor was oblivious to the effect she was having on her patient.But for Elias, it was sweet torture.Her nimble fingers felt like feathers caressing his abdomen, getting dangerously close to the forbidden spot where desire simmered.Their proximity allowed them to feel each other’s breath, and as Callie met Elias’s gaze, she couldn’t ignore the flutter in her heart.It annoyed her that a handsome man like him could stir such feelings in her, even though she prided herself on being professional.Suddenly, Callie felt a change in Elias’s body, and her face flushed with realisation.As a medical student, she understood the physiological reactions all too well.Her mind raced, wondering how she could continue, given the state he was in.She abruptly sat up, putti
Elias leaned in, whispering into her ear, his voice filled with determination. ‘Callie, I’ll teach you how to seek revenge. Just leave it to me. You are my woman, and anyone who dares to hurt you will pay ten thousand times over.’‘Ten thousand times? Now that’s some bold talk.’ Callie smiled despite herself.She had never experienced a man speaking to her with such tyrannical charm, but oddly enough, she found herself drawn to it.Maybe it was a case of ‘opposites attract.’Elias’s eyes sparkled as he moved closer, his gaze penetrating her soul. ‘Do you know how to make a man feel true pain, Callie? I’ve got a deeper understanding of men than you could ever imagine.’A mixture of curiosity and trepidation filled Callie’s eyes as she looked up at his dark, mysterious gaze, shining like the night sky.She couldn’t deny that Elias had a savage side.‘Teach me, then,’ Callie said. ‘How do you retaliate against a man?’A sly smile curved Elias’s lips, and he pulled out a box of cigarettes
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