The current situation was proof of that, with Angelia selected for the dangerous mission instead of Callie.Callie was always sheltered.But what about Angelia?If something happened to her, who would care?Angelia refused to accept this fate, biting her lip until it nearly broke the skin.She was terrified of death.After the meeting, Angelia stood in the cold wind, tears streaming down her face, her beautiful face contorted with hatred.She was alone in a secluded spot at the base, hiding from her colleagues.Suddenly, she felt a sharp knife against her chin.‘Dr Hawthorne...’Angelia’s heart raced as her neck, previously covered by warm clothing, was exposed to the cold air and the blade’s chilling touch.‘Who are you?’ Angelia’s voice trembled.Krug, disguised as a hunchbacked old man, straightened up and remarked, ‘I see General Westwood’s wife keeps a low profile.’General Westwood’s wife?Angelia realised that the old man had mistaken her identity.‘No, I’m not her,’ Angelia hu
Once she had escorted Krug, still disguised as an old man, back to the ward, Angelia lingered in the infirmary for a while before leaving.There was a mark on her neck, a scar left by the blade.Luckily, it was winter, and her collar concealed the blemish.Otherwise, she couldn’t fathom how she’d explain it if someone asked.She was aware of the darkness in her actions and intentions.But what choice did she have?Callie, who had always appeared so innocent and pure, had taken everything from Angelia.She had ventured down the wrong path, and there was no turning back.The only way forward was to focus on her goal—to eliminate Callie.***After finishing her work, Callie made her way back to the dormitory.The snow and ice were beginning to melt, revealing the tile house’s original colours.Under the streetlamp’s soft glow, the scenery took on a different charm.As Callie walked, the snow crunched beneath her boots.Truth be told, she’d been yearning to see Elias for a while now, espe
Elias spoke, his voice husky. ‘You can’t come on the mission this time.’Callie nodded. ‘I know, and I won’t pester you to change your mind. Just promise me one thing, Elias. Promise that you’ll return safely. I don’t want you getting hurt.’Elias held Callie’s hand, his gaze tender. ‘Your concern means the world to me. I’ll come back just the way I am now.’Callie blinked back tears.She had a strange feeling, a premonition of danger.Elias kissed her gently, appreciating her gentle and loving nature.She was unlike anyone else he’d known, a hidden gem radiating warmth.When Callie loved someone, they became her whole world, and Elias cherished that about her.‘Why are you crying? I’ll be fine, just like now.’Callie tried to deny her tears. ‘I’m not crying.’Elias chuckled. ‘You’re being stubborn again.’‘I’m not crying, and I’m not stubborn.’ Callie’s eyes welled up, but she fought back the tears that threatened to fall.Elias spoke firmly, ‘I’ll make sure to come back safely, just
Jamison gave Callie some glucose water.After a while, Callie groggily opened her eyes, her vision hazy.She saw Jamison’s concerned face.‘Where am I?’ Callie mumbled. ‘Dr Garcia, what are you doing here?’Jamison propped up a pillow for her. ‘You fainted. Don’t you remember?’‘I... fainted...Did I?’ Callie rubbed her temples. ‘I saw Angelia leaving the infirmary, and I wanted to follow, but then my head spun...’She had no recollection of what happened next.‘Angelia?’ Jamison’s brow furrowed. ‘She’s supposed to be resting in her dormitory early for tomorrow’s mission. When you fainted, an old man saw you and got the soldiers to bring you here. He said he found you alone and unconscious in the snow.’Hearing Jamison’s words, doubt crept into Callie’s mind.Had her eyes deceived her?Callie rubbed her eyes in disbelief, struggling to accept that her eyes could have played tricks on her.Yet, she couldn’t deny Jamison’s account.‘Did my eyes deceive me?’ Callie pondered aloud.But as
Callie’s body stiffened, and her doe eyes showed surprise.She hastily took a step back, trying to avoid his touch.‘Callie, don’t pull away,’ Jamison implored.‘Dr Garcia, this is inappropriate.’As Callie and Jamison were at a distance from the others, Wendy, Angelia, and the rest could only observe their actions without hearing their words.But Jamison’s behaviour and the affection in his eyes were unmistakable.Traci quipped, ‘Isn’t Dr Hawthorne...the major general’s wife?’Wendy had sensed Jamison’s infatuation for Callie long ago.She knew that Callie didn’t reciprocate his feelings and shrugged. ‘She is the general’s wife, but she’s also Jamison’s friend. Him touching her hair doesn’t mean anything.’‘That’s true,’ Traci agreed.After all, Jamison hadn’t made any further advances beyond touching Callie’s hair.However, Angelia had a different perspective.Jamison knew that Callie was Elias’s woman, and Callie didn’t care for him romantically, yet he openly displayed his feeling
‘I can’t let you take that risk,’ Elias stated firmly, each word weighted with concern. ‘I can’t bear the thought of losing you, Callie. I can’t, and I won’t even entertain that possibility. Do you understand? You don’t comprehend...’Callie’s eyes sparkled with determination.‘I don’t understand?’ She shook her head. ‘No, you are the one who doesn’t understand. Wendy had to go, and Lemuel didn’t stop her. I refuse to believe he doesn’t love Wendy or that he can bear the thought of losing her.’Elias felt the tension in his body increase.‘Everyone’s in the same boat,’ Callie continued, her tone resolute. ‘I can’t be an exception just because I’m your wife. I’m a doctor, and when I chose to come to the border, I accepted the responsibilities that come with it. I can’t choose to escape when it’s my duty.’Elias gazed at his wife, her face slightly pale with fatigue.Her fragrance enveloped him, and he found himself surprisingly receptive to her argument.‘Callie,’ Elias admitted with a
An enigmatic smile played at the corners of Inga’s lips as she smoothly zipped up her leather coat.‘Elias, I’d love to see just how important his woman is to you,’ she quipped, her voice holding a hint of challenge.For the one truly willing to wage a desperate battle on the brink of life and death, he couldn’t afford to stop and consider the consequences.Those who gambled too much on victory often ended up losing.Survival here demanded ignoring all else, even love and affection.They were mere distractions in the heat of battle.To Inga, Callie was such a distraction for Elias—she was Elias’s Achilles heel.***The biting cold sent visible puffs of white mist into the air with every exhale.Gunshots rang out, causing Callie’s already fair complexion to turn ghostly pale.She tried to reassure herself, telling herself that Elias was an indomitable force, the true War Machine in everyone’s eyes.This mission to rescue border hostages should be a routine task for him, nothing to worr
Dust filled the air, and the ground was littered with rubble and dilapidated buildings.Bloodied bodies lay scattered on the ground.Jamison gave a stern instruction, ‘Prioritise our soldiers. Distinguish them from the enemy. We’re here to treat our own, not the enemy.’It was a difficult choice for those who rarely saw combat.The wounded enemies pleading for help tugged at their compassion.But they knew that saving an enemy could lead to betrayal, with the wounded turning into threats.Jamison’s gaze fell on Callie, emphasising the importance of his words. ‘Let’s get to work.’Jamison led Traci and two soldiers, while Callie, Angelia, Wendy, and two other soldiers set out to find and treat the wounded.Angelia trailed Callie but appeared distracted, constantly scanning their surroundings.She knew this rescue mission was a ruse, and the enemy’s target was Callie.Unable to harm Callie directly, Angelia aimed to add chaos to her life and see her suffer.‘This way,’ someone called ou