Lemuel scrunched up his nose as if smelling something foul.‘You mean Callista Hawthorne? She’s not here,’ he replied dismissively.Elias’s eyes narrowed, picking up on the disdain in Lemuel’s voice. ‘I know she’s not here, I’m asking you why.’‘She’s taking care of the other patients,’ Lemuel replied, trying to brush off the question.Elias could sense that something was off.Callie’s absence didn’t sit right with him.He knew her well enough to understand that she wouldn’t abandon him while he was injured.‘Why would Callie tend to other patients but not me?’ Elias thought to himself, his mind working overtime.It was hard to believe she would prioritise others over him.The more he pondered, the more suspicious he became.He couldn’t shake the feeling that something must have happened while he was unconscious.Maybe Lemuel or Angelia had something to do with it.‘I need to speak with Callie,’ Elias declared.Angelia’s smile wavered slightly, and she exchanged a quick glance with Le
Wendy’s eyes flickered towards Callie, who was seated with her back to Elias, seemingly lost in her own world.Lemuel had arrived outside the break room by then, observing the tense atmosphere between Elias and Callie.He still couldn’t believe Elias was engaged to this woman.Before he could utter a word, Wendy raised a finger to her lips, signalling him to stay quiet, and then gestured for him to follow her outside.Lemuel hesitated, but Wendy’s stern gaze left him no choice.He followed her out of the break room, and as she gently closed the door, her voice carried a hint of warning. ‘Don’t be a third wheel, Lemuel.’The break room was a small, cosy space with a few worn-out armchairs and a coffee table stacked with medical journals and newspapers.The sunlight filtered through the half-open blinds, casting stripes of light across the room.Callie’s coughing echoed in the room, and she had tears in her eyes, but she couldn’t tell if they were from the coughing itself or from Elias’
Elias rose from his seat, lifting Callie into his arms effortlessly.Callie yelped in surprise, her cheeks flushing even more. ‘What are you doing?’ she protested, but Elias wasn’t swayed.‘You’re right—a patient needs to rest, and you’re a patient now,’ Elias stated firmly. ‘You need to rest.’Callie continued to protest, insisting that she was fine, but Elias refused to let her down.Carrying her one-armed, he reached for the door handle with his free hand.As he pulled open the door of the break room, two figures stumbled into the room.Lemuel was quick to recover and beat a hasty retreat, claiming he had some urgent tasks to attend to.Wendy, on the other hand, picked herself up from the floor, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment for being caught eavesdropping.Elias didn’t let the awkward moment deter him.He turned to Wendy, his tone authoritative. ‘Callie’s sick. Get her a ward.’Then, as an afterthought, he added, ‘If there’s no empty ward, add a bed in my room.’Wendy nodded
Elias acknowledged Angelia’s concern with an aloof tone. ‘Thanks for taking care of me, Dr Hawthorne,’ he replied, his eyes appraising her.He couldn’t help but notice the blush that crept up Angelia’s cheeks.‘I’m just doing my job,’ Angelia replied, attempting to hide her momentary lapse in composure.She couldn’t let Elias see how much and how easily his words affected her.She had to remain professional and maintain her poise.Elias’s eyes narrowed slightly. ‘Why didn’t you use silver sulfadiazine cream to treat my burn wounds?’ he asked, challenging her with his gaze.For a moment, Angelia was taken aback by the directness of the question, but she quickly regained her composure and replied confidently, ‘Because it has severe side effects like rash, redness, swelling, burning, itching, stinging, or pain at the area of use. It may also require frequent blood tests and kidney function tests to monitor for systemic absorption and assess kidney function.’She left out the fact that pa
Angelia couldn’t help but feel a sense of bitterness creeping into her heart.She was tired of hearing about Callie, tired of feeling overshadowed by her presence.As she listened to Abby’s rant, an idea began to form in her mind.She had an opportunity to take down Callie a notch and prove to Elias that she wasn’t as perfect as he believed.‘Abby, let me handle this,’ she said resolutely, her mind already devising a plan.‘What do you mean?’ Abby asked.Angelia’s eyes glinted with determination. ‘I mean, I’ll find out if Callie is still in touch with Simon and expose her for the manipulative woman she is. If she’s trying to seduce a Lieutenant Colonel, who knows how many other men she’s tried to charm in the past. Simon needs to see her true colours.’And so did Elias.‘You’d do that for me?’‘Of course,’ Angelia said. ‘You are my cousin.’And it would be a nice payback for all the times Callie had caused trouble in her life too.‘Thank you, Angelia. I really hope this works.’Angeli
Before leaving the ward, Wendy handed Callie two pills and a glass of water. ‘You should take these,’ she said, her playful tone replaced with a more serious one. ‘It’ll help with the healing process.’Callie nodded and took the medication as Wendy made her way out.Once alone, Callie darted into the bathroom.She stood before the mirror, inspecting the hickey marks Elias had left on her skin.She couldn’t believe he had taken advantage of her while she was sleeping.With a sigh of frustration, she was about to take a shower when she heard a knock on the door.Callie hurriedly pulled up her hospital gown before dashing back to bed and covering herself with the blanket.Elias entered the room, his eyes fixed on Callie lying in bed.He knew she was pretending to be asleep, but he played along and sat down on the edge of the bed.Leaning closer, he kissed her lips, and just as Callie’s eyes shot open, he chuckled.‘Pervert,’ Callie scolded, throwing a pillow at him.Elias grinned, undete
Realising that she was still wearing the hospital gown, Callie blushed even more, feeling a bit self-conscious. ‘I’ll get changed,’ she said, reaching for the blanket to cover herself.Elias shook his head. ‘No need to change. Someone is bringing breakfast.’‘Who?’Before Elias could answer, a soft knock came on the door.‘Come in,’ he called out.Lemuel entered the ward, carefully balancing a tray filled with a sumptuous breakfast.The aroma of freshly brewed coffee, warm croissants, and a colourful assortment of fruits wafted through the room.He set the tray down on a bedside table and, looking apologetic, said to Callie, ‘Callie, I mean, Doctor Hawthorne, I’m sorry.’The contrite tone in Lemuel’s voice puzzled Callie, and she turned her attention to him, her eyes searching his face for clues.He continued, ‘I shouldn’t have lashed out at you, taken out my frustration on you. I was wrong, and I hope you could forgive me.’Callie saw genuine remorse in his eyes and responded softly,
‘You can just call me Angelia,’ she said with a smile. ‘After all, there are two Dr Hawthornes in the building, and I don’t want a mix-up.’Elias smiled. ‘Trust me, I’d never mix up the two of you.’Suppressing the rising tide of jealousy, Angelia mustered up the courage to suggest, ‘You’ll need to continue applying the cream for another two weeks to ensure complete recovery. I could make house calls at your quarters, to save you the trip to the health centre every time.’Elias looked at her, his expression cool and unyielding. ‘There’s no need, thank you.’Angelia’s heart sank, and she bit her lower lip, trying to hide her disappointment.She watched as Elias put on his shirt and left the ward, as if he couldn’t tolerate spending another second longer in her company.***Elias found Callie in one of the examination rooms.She had just finished tending to a patient with a dislocated shoulder and was now updating the patient’s chart, engrossed in her work.Dappled sunlight filtered thr
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