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
The woman’s oval-shaped face was mostly concealed behind a pair of oversized sunglasses, leaving Callie curious about her expression.‘Um, who...who are you?’ Callie asked hesitantly.The woman let out a low chuckle. ‘Don’t bother asking me who I am, sweetheart. I’m here to check out the lucky woman Elias has chosen.’Callie’s heart skipped a beat.Elias?Was this woman Elias’s ex-lover?Anger and insecurity welled up inside her. ‘Look, lady, I don’t know what you’re talking about. And if you’re here for Elias, I’m sorry, he’s not around.’The woman removed her sunglasses with a calculated flair, revealing piercing eyes that seemed to see right through Callie’s soul.With a sly smile, she purred, ‘Oh, sweetie, don’t bother denying it. Elias made it pretty clear that you’re his wife.’Callie’s mouth dropped open in shock.‘His... his wife? No!’ She waved her hands in protest. ‘I’m not... I mean, we’re not yet...’Leona Cohen examined Callie from head to toe, her gaze lingering a moment
As an orphan, Callie felt touched that someone cared enough to go to such lengths for her.Gratitude washed over her, evident in the smile that graced her lips.Leona, sensing Callie’s thoughts, couldn’t help but tease her. ‘Oh, Mrs Westwood, that smile on your face tells me you’re thinking about Elias again.’Blushing furiously, Callie struggled to find the right words. ‘I... well, it’s not what you think...’Leona chuckled, deciding not to embarrass Callie further. ‘Now, let’s head back to the apartment. Grab your purse and whatever else you need, and I’ll take you straight to the wedding venue. Elias should be there by now, if his schedule permits.’Callie nodded, her heart pounding with anticipation as they returned to the apartment to collect her purse and the wedding invitation.The next stop was Club Solara, where the grand wedding was in full swing.As Callie stepped out of the car, her eyes widened in awe.The clubhouse was a luxurious outdoor sanctuary nestled amidst lush gr
Simon’s frown deepened, his tone laced with sneering mockery. ‘So now you’re acting all innocent after purposely seducing me? Coming here, dressed like that, smiling at me? Callie, you’ve changed! Who was the man you were fooling around with when I came to see you the other night?’Callie’s eyes flashed with indignation as she defended herself. ‘It’s none of your d*mn business! And I wasn’t trying to seduce you! Get over yourself!’Simon’s mouth twisted into a menacing smirk. ‘I thought you were just being shy when you refused to sleep with me. But it seems you’re nothing more than a deceitful b*tch pretending to be virtuous. What? You claim I treated you poorly? Well, now I understand, it’s you who should be begging for forgiveness! I bet you’d already shamelessly spread your legs to seduce another man! Tell me, who is he?’Callie’s eyes narrowed, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface.How dare he?He was the one who betrayed her, the one who cheated on her.Yet he had the auda
Simon muttered through gritted teeth, ‘I won’t forget this!’Elias paid no attention to Simon’s words, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.The power, wealth, status, and even fighting skills Elias possessed far surpassed anything Simon could ever hope to achieve.Callie understood this disparity all too well.Still reeling from the chaos, Callie found herself being swept away by Elias, their hands entwined.She managed to utter his name, but before she could continue, Elias fixed her with a stern gaze.‘Callista Hawthorne, are you drunk, or are you just being stupid?’ Elias’s voice dripped with frustration.Confused, Callie asked, ‘What do you mean?’Elias’s frustration only deepened. ‘When that man was about to strike you, were you planning to just stand there and take it?’His intense gaze bore into her almond-shaped eyes.Callie stared back at him innocently, still trying to process his words.‘If I hadn’t arrived in time, your face would have been a bloody mess.’ His tone was
Stuart didn’t offer an explanation, but wore a wide smile as he approached Elias.Raising his glass, he greeted him with flattery. ‘Lieutenant Colonel Westwood, I’m so glad to see you here! When I sent you the invitation, I thought your busy schedule might prevent you from attending. I’m so honoured you’d find the time to come.’Stuart’s words dripped with adulation, attempting to win Elias’s favour.Elias, however, took another casual sip of his wine, seemingly unimpressed by the praise.His response was nonchalant. ‘I happened to have some free time.’Had it not been for Callie’s sake, he would have tossed the wedding invitation in the trash.Elias’s stand-offish attitude did nothing to dampen Stuart’s enthusiasm.If anything, it spurred him on.He nudged Abby forward. ‘Colonel Westwood, allow me to introduce my daughter, Abby Colman. She also works at Rosedale Hospital and was part of the team that treated your wounded soldiers.’Elias acknowledged Stuart’s introduction with a curt
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