Chapter 24
A week passed, and Jack still hadn’t left Lakewood–but at least he’d stopped bothering Olivia.
Olivia didn’t bother to ask why. As long as he stayed out of her way, she didn’t care.
She went about her days as usual. Sometimes she worked the fields with Charlie, other times she stayed home to cook and rest.
Her beauty and kind nature had long won over the locals. They often brought her baskets of sweet potatoes, fresh greens, or eggs. She always thanked them with a smile–and made sure to return the favor with homemade dishes.
Time slipped by. Soon, the village was preparing for the Fall Festival.
Even in a poor rural town like Lakewood, people took their traditions seriously. Most couldn’t afford fancy store–bought pies, so they made their own with whatever fillings they had.
Olivia had never baked before. Charlie, a big clumsy guy, had never even tried a pastry recipe. So the two of them ended up sitting under the moonlight, eating a simple homemade dinner together in their small courtyard.
After the meal, Charlie went to fetch some water. Olivia was cleaning up the dishes when someone knocked on the door. She thought Charlie had forgotten his key.
She opened the door, ready to scold him.
Instead, Jack pulled her into a tight embrace.
“Olivia… I really messed up.” His breath reeked of alcohol, voice hoarse with emotion. “This past week, I kept telling myself you’d change your mind… that you’d come find me. But I see it now. You’re… actually happy here.”
His grip tightened, like he was desperate for some kind of warmth.
Olivia’s expression darkened. She shoved him away.
“Captain Rivers. Sober up.”
Her voice was sharp and cold. The same man who could command an entire unit at Camp Liberty suddenly looked small in front of her.
He had stayed in Lakewood hoping that his presence alone would remind her of what they used to
Chapter 24
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- be. That maybe, just maybe, she’d come back to him.
But day after day, he watched her. And what he saw was a woman who didn’t just survive–she
bloomed.
She didn’t fake her smiles. Didn’t force herself to fit in.
She had chosen this life. And she was thriving.
Panic crawled up his chest. The thought of truly losing her terrified him.
So at this very festival day, after one too many drinks, he found himself at her door.
He wanted to beg. He wanted to make promises. But the moment he saw the look on her face–that
faint, unmistakable disgust–every word turned to ash in his throat.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I just… I just wanted to see you.”
Olivia’s gaze was like ice. “I’ve warned you more than once. I’m married now.”
Even though he already knew, every time he heard her say it out loud, it still cut like a blade.
Jack opened his mouth, desperate for something to say–but before he could, a voice rang out from
outside.
“Hey honey, I’m back!”
It was Charlie. Back with the water. Jack froze, like a thief caught mid–act.
He didn’t say a word. Just turned and fled.
Charlie walked in moments later, frowning at the unlocked door. “Huh? Did I forget to shut this?”
Olivia smiled faintly. “Someone stopped by. Just a short visit.”
Charlie didn’t ask. He set down the bucket and went to light the stove.
The next morning, Jack packed up and left the village.
He bounced down the same muddy road in that little car he’d arrived in.
His leave was almost up anyway. And truth be told… he knew.
She didn’t need him anymore.
