Chapter 7\
“Hayes! How can you say that?” Zara’s voice cracked with frustration, her anger boiling over. “Everything I’ve done is for our baby–to give him a real family! And yet, you still want Elise to be his godmother? Do you honestly think she’ll treat our kid like her own? No! She’ll only hate him! How could she ever love our baby?”
Her words grew more desperate, more frantic as she pushed harder, trying to make him see her side.”
“And anyway… she can’t even have kids.” Her tone softened then, almost coaxing. “Why don’t you just divorce her? Once we’re married, I’ll give you as many kids as you want.“@
Her face was plastered with a forced sweetness, but Hayes was too far gone to notice anything but the way his blood was beginning to boil. Zara was too caught up in her excitement to notice the shift in him, the way his expression darkened.”
The air in the room felt thick–heavy. Suffocating.}
Before she could react, Hayes’s hand shot out–gripping her neck with a force that immediately sent panic surging through her.” Hayes wasn’t thinking about her pregnancy. He didn’t care. His voice was an ice–cold whisper, cutting through the air like a blade. “You think you deserve to be my wife?” His grip tightened, his jaw clenching as he leaned in, fury burning behind his eyes. “Listen to me–there will never be anyone else. In this lifetime, the only woman who is worthy of being my wife is Elise.“}
His breathing was ragged, raw. The words left his mouth like poison, each one more painful than the last.
“If I had to choose between you and Elise,” his voice was hoarse but unwavering, “I’d choose Elise. Do you understand?“}
A sharp pain sliced through his chest, an ache so deep it felt like a thousand knives all stabbing him at once.}
Why hadn’t he realized this sooner? Why hadn’t he fought for her when he still had the chance?}
His mind flashed back to that night–the night Elise lost their child. She had downed glass after glass of liquor, throwing herself into his work just to help him land a deal.§
And he had pushed her away.
Zara’s face turned pale, her breath shallow as she struggled against his grip.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she gasped, her voice trembling. “Hayes, please… I was wrong. I won’t say it again–just, please let go.”
Her voice broke through his rage, but it didn’t soften it. Not yet.
He released her abruptly, exhaustion settling in his bones. His body felt like it was on fire, his hands still shaking from the sheer intensity of the moment.
“Go,” he said, his voice cold, distant, emotionless. “Have the baby, and I’ll give you whatever money you want. But after that… don’t ever come looking for me again.“@
Zara’s eyes widened in shock. “No… Hayes, I don’t want money! I just want us to be a family!“}
Her pleading fell on deaf ears.
Without another word, Hayes turned away from her, opening the door and kicking her out.”
As the door slammed behind her, Hayes let out a shaky breath, his gaze sweeping across the empty house.”
Everything felt wrong. Empty. Hollow.
He couldn’t take it anymore.”
That night, he set to work–restoring everything Elise had taken down. He placed every picture back, every memory, hoping that maybe… just maybe if everything was the way it used to be, she’d come back.
He waited.
Day after day.”
But all he was met with was silence.
And disappointment.}
…E
Elise’s POV
The war–torn town stretched out in front of me, its landscape a mixture of destruction and devastation. Buildings were reduced to rubble, streets littered with the remnants of lives once whole.
And yet, despite it all, I felt a strange sense of fulfillment here.
Every day, I walked through these ruins, bringing aid to those who needed it most. Every life I helped and every wound I treated reminded me why I was here.”
For the first time in a long time… I felt like I had a purpose again.
That day, I was busy counting medical supplies and preparing shipments for a nearby camp when a loud, familiar voice broke through the heavy air.
For a moment, I thought I was imagining it.
But when I turned around, my eyes widened in shock.
“Dr. Reeve?”
Standing there, with a warm yet tired smile, was Dr. Paula Reeve–my mentor.
“Vou’re really here?” Ihlinked trying to nmrace the eight of hor
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“Dr. Reeve?“&
e
Standing there, with a warm yet tired smile, was Dr. Paula Reeve–my mentor.
“You’re really here?” I blinked, trying to process the sight of her.
She let out an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms. “Of course, I’m here! How could I possibly sleep at night knowing you’re out here alone?”
I felt warmth bloom in my chest, a relief I hadn’t realized I was missing.!
Before I could say anything, she added, “Oh, and by the way, my son’s stationed here too. I’ll introduce you two.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but she was already dragging me outside.§
“Wait, Dr. Reeve-”
Too late.
A tall figure stood in the clearing, dressed in a sharp military uniform.
He exuded confidence, his posture straight, his presence commanding. The moment he turned toward me, I instinctively straightened up and saluted.
Dr. Reeve let out a delighted laugh.!
“This is my son, Theo,” she said proudly. “He’s your age, so don’t be so formal!“}
I lowered my hand awkwardly as she continued.
“And Theo, honey, this is Dr. Elise Montague, my most outstanding student.” She gave him a pointed look. “She’s been working hard out here, and she’s a girl. It’s not easy for her. You better make sure she’s safe. If even a single hair on her head is harmed, you’re answering to me.“>
Theo sighed, rubbing his temple.
“Yes, Mom, I got it. You’ve already told me a thousand times on the way here,” he said with a slight smirk. “I swear, I think my ears are permanently bruised from hearing it.”>
Hapter 7
