Angelia and Jamison sat in the consultation room, watching Callie and Dylan’s interactions through the window.Jamison’s complexion had soured, and he appeared distant.Angelia gazed at Jamison, hiding a sneer.She couldn’t help but prod him, saying, ‘Dr Garcia, don’t you resent her?’Jamison turned to her, momentarily taken aback, then shook his head. ‘I don’t resent her. I understand her choices.’Angelia let out a soft sigh, her tone laced with calculation. ‘You love her so deeply that you were willing to sacrifice your life for her. But what has she offered in return? Besides feeling touched and saying thank you, does she feel anything more for you?’Jamison had told Angelia that he didn’t mind, but her words still pricked his heart with bitterness.He replied with a tinge of resignation, ‘It’s not her problem; it’s mine. The only person she loves is Elias, not me or Dylan.’Jamison shifted his gaze from the window back to the room, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.His affectio

Angelia sighed and began to reveal a painful truth. ‘You should know that I was kidnapped by those people from Shadowfire.’Whitney nodded.Angelia continued, ‘I never told anyone what happened there, but I’ll tell you now. I endured a living hell. Those monsters treated me like a plaything because I wasn’t the major general’s wife. They unleashed their hatred and anger on me. Among them was a drug addict who not only used, but also forced me to use. That’s when I developed this addiction. It wasn’t my choice. I wanted to quit, but I can’t control myself when the withdrawal symptoms hit.’She held out both arms and rolled up her sleeves. ‘Look at my wrists, my arms. When the symptoms came, I bit myself to resist it, to fight back, but it was useless. I failed time and time again. So, I resorted to stealing those drugs from the pharmacy.’Whitney couldn’t help but shudder.She had heard some rumours about Angelia’s ordeal, but she had never fathomed the extent of her suffering.Being a

‘Elias, is that all right?’ Callie asked, tilting her head.‘Of course.’‘Then we’ll continue the charade,’ Callie said earnestly. ‘I’ll do my best to take care of myself, so you don’t have to worry about me.’‘Will you blame me?’‘What do you mean?’‘Everything comes back to the fact that I’m a soldier,’ Elias explained. ‘If I were a CEO or a celebrity, maybe you wouldn’t have to go through this.’Callie smiled and shook her head, brushing aside his concerns. ‘There are plenty of CEOs in the world, but none of them are you. No matter how wealthy or promising their lives might be, they can’t compare to you. Only you can support me when I’m at my lowest, willing to make sacrifices for me. I only want you, Elias. No matter how impressive others may be, they’re not you.’‘Callie, how could I not fall for you?’ Elias murmured, as much to himself as to her.‘Elias, time for you to go!’ Callie urged, giving him a gentle push. ‘You can’t stay here. What if someone sees us? Go back to your wa

Angelia walked back to the infirmary, her head held low.Jamison noticed her distress. ‘Angelia, you look pale.’‘I’m fine.’ She turned her gaze to the other eight doctors, clenched her fists, and announced in a loud voice, ‘The drug test had been called off.’Surprised murmurs rippled through the room.‘What? Why?’‘Because I’ve identified the culprit who stole the drugs and killed Whitney.’ Angelia took a deep breath. ‘It’s Callista Hawthorne.’Callie’s head snapped up.What?‘It’s not me!’ she protested, her voice firm, although she felt a growing sense of dread.Angelia couldn’t hide her satisfaction as she witnessed the other doctors’ reactions.The collective gasp of surprise was music to her ears.Even better, she saw two of the doctors turning their suspicious gaze towards Callie.In that moment, Angelia felt a sense of victory.Callie had always been the darling of everyone, cherished by Elias, Jamison, Dylan, and many others.But look at her now.Angelia relished the satisfa

‘Silly, why are you crying?’ Callie tried to smile. ‘It’s fine if Elias won’t help. His heart belongs to someone else now. I’m old news to him. But don’t you worry, I’ve still got friends. When Dylan comes back, I’m sure he won’t just sit by and watch me get court-martialled.’‘Are you and Major General Sheppard really dating?’Callie cleared her throat. ‘Of course.’‘I thought it was an act.’‘No, it’s for real. Don’t fret. Wait until Dylan returns, and I’ll be fine.’‘Callie, don’t lie to me!’‘Why would I lie? I’m dying to get out of here!’Though Callie spoke confidently, she had no idea what fate awaited her.Yet, she never doubted Elias.His refusal to help wasn’t a lack of love; there had to be reasons.She had to stay strong and wait for Elias’s plan to play out.As they spoke, a soldier, temporarily assigned to guard duty, came over. ‘Time’s up.’Reluctant to leave, Wendy lingered until Callie urged her to go.The guard led Callie back to her cell and shut the door, plunging