Chapter 8%
Elise’s POV
Watching the playful banter between Dr. Reeve and her son, I couldn’t help but smile. Their dynamic was easy and warm–a stark contrast to the tension I’d been living with for so long. It was something I’d almost forgotten how to feel.
Still, I knew better than to stand out in a place like this. In a war zone, drawing attention wasn’t just foolish–it was dangerous. So, I simply nodded and followed my mentor’s lead.”
“Theo, I’ll be in your care,” I said with a small smile.
For a second, he froze, caught off guard.”
A faint flush crept onto his tanned face, but he quickly recovered, turning serious again. “No need for special treatment. Serving the people is my duty.“}
I suppressed a small chuckle. He was all–disciplined, through and through.
After introductions, Dr. Reeve pulled me aside, her voice lowering.
“By the way, I need to tell you something,” she said, hesitating for a moment. “Didn’t you tell your husband you were applying to Global Medical Relief? A while back, he kept showing up at the hospital looking for you. I thought he already knew about your deployment, so… I told him. I hope that doesn’t cause any trouble for you.”
The words hit me strangely. I felt distant from them as if the emotions were no longer mine.
I shook my head. “It’s fine. He has no say in my choices anymore. You don’t need to worry about him.“}
The airport had been shut down due to the war, only allowing authorized personnel in or out. Even if Hayes found out, it wouldn’t matter.”
Besides, his world revolved around Zara and their child now.”
I doubted I even crossed his mind.
Dr. Reeve studied my face carefully before nodding. “That’s good. I just didn’t want this to affect your personal life.“}
I exhaled slowly, glancing at the smoke–streaked horizon. “Soon… we’ll just be strangers.“}]
I had no illusions–Hayes would never willingly agree to a divorce. But that didn’t matter. I planned on keeping my distance and filing for divorce when the time was right.
There was no turning back for either of us.
…B
Time passed, and a year went by.”
The war had temporarily paused with a ceasefire agreement, and I was finally leaving the battlefield.
I came back home, though I had no real home to return to.
So, I checked into a hotel near the airport–just long enough to catch my breath before heading to another country in need of medical aid.
That night, for the first time in ages, I slept soundly.
The next morning, I woke up feeling more refreshed than I had in months.
I had plans to meet Theo for lunch–he’d already chosen the restaurant and booked a table, all I had to do was show up. Not wanting to be late, I left early and arrived about half an hour ahead of our scheduled time.
But the moment I stepped inside the restaurant, I froze.
The first person I saw wasn’t Theo.}]
It was Hayes.”
For a split second, time seemed to freeze.
It was clear from the shock on his face that he hadn’t expected to see me either. His expression faltered for a brief moment before something else overtook it–something deeper.
Relief.
Joy.”
As he had just found something precious, he thought was lost forever.
“Elise…” His voice was barely above a whisper as if just saying my name was enough to break him. Then, louder, “Elise, is it really
you?”
His eyes reddened, filled with something I didn’t recognize.
“You’re really back,” he said hoarsely, his voice cracking. “I’ve missed you so much.“>
He took a step forward, reaching out–maybe for my arm, maybe for my hand–but before he could, I instinctively stepped back.
I didn’t say anything.
I didn’t have to.
The way his face fell, the way his body stiffened. It was clear that my indifference cut deeper than any words could.
His voice cracked with emotion. “Elise… since you left, I’ve been waiting for you to come back.”}
He swallowed hard, eyes desperate. “Every day, I went up to St. Cloud Church on the mountain to pray for you. I begged for you to
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212 BOOS
come home safe.”
With shaking hands, he pulled something from his pocket–a small, intricately woven piece of amulet. His fingers curled around it like it was his last hope.
“Look… Mom used to say that praying at St. Cloud Church was the most powerful way to ask for protection. I went there every day for you…” His voice trailed off, his hope slowly fading.
Before he could say anything else, a cheerful little voice interrupted him.
“Mommy!”
A small girl burst into the restaurant, her face lighting up with a huge grin. She ran straight toward me, arms open wide, and wrapped them tightly around my legs.
I softened immediately. The cold walls I’d built around myself crumbled away as I crouched down, brushing the damp strands of hair from her forehead.§
“Did you have fun with Daddy?” I asked gently, my tone softening. “You’re all sweaty, sweetheart.”}
Her giggle filled the air, and she nodded, clinging to me.
Silence fell between Hayes and me.§
The warmth in Hayes’s face drained instantly. His body went rigid, his breath catching in his throat. He stepped back, like the ground beneath him had just cracked open.
His voice was barely audible, almost broken. “Elise…” His hands curled into fists at his sides. “Who is she?“}
His eyes flicked between me and the little girl, frantic, searching for answers.
Then, Hayes asked, “Why is she calling you Mommy?“}
2/2 80.0%
