Chapter 13
Marlene froze at his words, her eyes instantly reddening.
In disbelief, she asked, “You’re going to find her? What about me? We’ve already been on the stage as a couple. Besides, Eleanor is supportive of us being together.”
Graysen, feeling a sudden headache, opened his mouth to explain, but before he could say
anything, his phone rang.
Using the phone call as an excuse, he quickly distanced himself, leaving Marlene standing there, her face twisted in jealousy.
In stark contrast to Graysen’s dejection, Caroline adapted quickly to life at the new base.
In less than a month, she and Beckham had developed an unspoken understanding; a mere glance was enough for them to know exactly what the other meant.
Today, the two had just returned from a mission when Caroline, unusually, had a few cuts and
bruises.
As soon as they got out of the vehicle, Beckham tossed her a tube of ointment and, half–jokingly, said, “Remember to apply it. Don’t ruin your looks. Otherwise, the leadership will blame me.”
Caroline, now familiar with his manner, glanced at him indifferently, taking the ointment.
“Thanks.”
Beckham, noticing her cold demeanor, couldn’t help but be curious. “So, did the guy from the communications team confess to you yesterday? Did you turn him down?”
“What do you think?” she replied, furrowing her brow slightly, realizing that the typically stoic Kieran had quite the gossip streak.
Beckham wasn’t sure whether to offer advice but left her with this thought. “We’re racing against
death every day. If we can find time for love, that’d be nice.”
With that, he whistled as he waved and walked off.
Noredge, once a site from the Second World War, was deemed a “minefield paradise,” no
exaggeration.
The situation was far worse than Caroline had anticipated. At the base, five bomb disposal teams
were tasked with daily missions.
Amid these continuous missions, two of the teams had already lost members.
Aside from mines scattered underground, there were also bombs dropped by terrorist groups living
in the area.
Chapter 13
11.50%
Beckham had no choice but to request reinforcements from Maruland.
Hanging up the phone, he turned toward Caroline, a melancholic expression on his face. “Thope the new team members are as skilled as you. That way, things will be easier for us.”
Caroline heard the teasing tone in his voice and gave an almost rare smile, a small dimple appearing at the corner of her mouth. “Don’t worry. The leader will hear your unspoken wishes.”
Beckham stared at the dimple for a moment before awkwardly looking away,
He had to admit that the base’s new recruits weren’t wrong in calling Caroline the “bulletproof
beauty.”
She possessed a kind of aloof charm–seeming cold on the outside, yet warm within.
He had seen her more than once offering food to the homeless wandering outside the base,
ensuring they ate.
Even though some mocked her in the base, calling it an act of sympathy, Beckham knew that, as
soldiers, they needed that rare heart of compassion.
Time flew, and while Caroline and Beckham were in the midst of their daily missions, the latest
batch of bomb disposal specialists from Maruland had just boarded the plane.
By the time they returned to the base that evening, their new teammates were already there.
Caroline was taking off her gloves as she walked, when suddenly, a familiar voice called her name
urgently, “Caroline.”
She paused in her tracks, turning to see Graysen standing not far behind, his face a mixture of
emotions.
At that moment, Caroline felt a strong urge to turn around and act like she didn’t know him.
But then she reconsidered. She and Graysen would have to see each other constantly at the base. It wouldn’t be good if things went too tense between them, and she didn’t want others to gossip.
She neither walked away nor spoke. She merely cast him a cold glance.
Graysen, surprised, quickly stepped forward, eager to say something, but when he got close, a wave
of uncertainty and fear gripped him.
Hesitating, he saw Caroline quickly step back, trying to distance herself from him.
The joy that had been on his face instantly faded, leaving him with a complex mix of emotions.
He wanted to ask her, “Why did you leave so suddenly? Why did you run away on the wedding day?
Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant?”
Chapter 13
11.50%
But in the end, his lips parted and all he managed to say was, “How have you been?”
Caroline gave a small, cold smile, her lips twisting into a frosty curve. “I’m still alive?
Seeing that he remained silent, she moved to leave, but Graysen suddenly grabbed her arm: His face held an unusual mixture of frustration and desperation. His voice trembled as he said, “Caroline, we need to talk.”
His grip tightened, as if afraid she would escape again. Even as Caroline winced in pain, he didn’t
loosen his hold.
“There’s nothing to talk about. Let go.” Caroline’s voice was cold, but her gaze was even colder,
filled with raw disdain.
Graysen suddenly released her, as though burned by something
Stumbling, he asked, “Do you really hate me that much? Why have you changed, Caroline?”
Caroline quickly stepped back, looking up at him with a bitter laugh.
She was once again stunned by Graysen’s shamelessness. But she had no intention of letting him drag her into anything else.
She shot him a warning look, her words cutting through the air. “This is the last time. If you lay a hand on me again, don’t blame me for being rude.”
Without another word, she turned and walked away decisively.
Graysen stood there, crushed and defeated. Nearby, Marlene, who had been watching for a while, seized the opportunity to pounce.
She wrapped herself around his arm, her voice dripping with sweetness as she said, “Graysen, I told you. She never loved you. She left so decisively. Maybe she already has someone else. Don’t keep holding on to her. You and I are the perfect match.”
