Chapter 17
The thought hit Graysen, and it pulled him deeper and deeper into his mind, spiraling further with every second.
If this was the truth, then everything would finally make sense.
Graysen’s teeth ground together, and he was ready to burst through that door to demand answers. But he knew that once he did that, there would be no going back between them.
He seethed with frustration, pacing back and forth outside the door.
After a long silence, Caroline opened the door and stepped out, only for a voice to sound from the side.
Marlene, along with the other team members who had just finished their mission, stood behind her, watching the scene with strange intensity.
Marlene cast a sly look at Caroline, whose face was flushed and hair dripping wet, and asked with a smirk, “Caroline, did you take a shower in Beckham’s dorm?”
She smiled sweetly, no malice on her face, but those words caused the expressions of the others to shift dramatically. The atmosphere was electric.
Caroline, well aware of Marlene’s games, didn’t explain. She simply nodded to everyone and turned to leave.
It was Graysen, however, who broke the silence and explained, “The shower in her room broke.”
The others exchanged glances, but no one pressed further.
Instead, Marlene eagerly grabbed Graysen’s arm, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. “Graysen, have you finished your report? I’d love to team up with you again tomorrow.”
Graysen waved her off, his face twisted with irritation. “Marlene, I misjudged you. I didn’t realize
you were the type to stir up trouble. No wonder, since you joined the bomb squad, my relationship
with Caroline has gotten colder. Stay away from me.”
He gave Marlene a deep, disgusted stare, the weight of regret heavy on him.
Even as Marlene rushed after him, trying to explain herself, he ignored her.
After what felt like forever, Caroline finally got her first day off at Noredge.
Early that morning, Beckham appeared at her door, asking what her plans for the day were.
Caroline paused for a moment, then shook her head in resignation. “This place is crawling with
armed forces. I think I’ll just stay put at the base.”
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Beckham raised an eyebrow, clearly not surprised, and sighed. “I knew you’d be a homebody. But since I’m free today, let me take you out for a bit.”
After lunch, Beckham borrowed a jeep and took Caroline for a ride.
As the car veered away from the city, she asked, confused, “Where are we going?”
Beckham didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he chuckled softly, the sound carried away by the
breeze.
His laughter was like the sound of a soft breeze, warm and gentle, settling into Caroline’s heart.
After a while, the jeep stopped in front of a house. Moments later, two brown puppies came running out at the sound of the engine.
The moment they saw Beckham, they eagerly rushed toward him, tails wagging furiously.
Even Caroline, usually so composed, was momentarily stunned by the sight.
“Where did you get the” she asked in surprise.
Beckham smirked, scooping up one of the puppies and placing it in Caroline’s arms. Then he grabbed the second one, gently petting it while explaining, “I found them during a mission. Their mother was killed by a landmine. The base doesn’t allow pets, so I’m fostering them here.”
The puppy in Caroline’s arms was calm, gently licking her palm with its little tongue.
Caroline’s heart melted, and she happily played with the puppies, laughing with delight.
Beckham fetched a few bags of food from the car, placing some in front of the two puppies. Watching them eat, Caroline smiled.
Beckham, sitting opposite her, smiled contentedly as well.
After a while, Caroline seemed to remember something and suddenly asked, “How did you know I like dogs?”
Beckham didn’t answer at first, but his eyes glinted with a touch of amusement.
“Your file says you love dogs but hate cats,” he said.
“The bomb squad’s files are that detailed?” Caroline asked, skeptical.
Realizing he couldn’t hide the truth anymore, Beckham finally admitted, “Alright, I asked Kieran,
and he told me.”
Caroline was momentarily speechless, unsure of what to say next.
She continued to cuddle the puppies, their soft, round bodes filling her hands, but her heart still raced. She knew Beckham cared for her deeply.
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When she first arrived at Noredge, her aloof personality and striking appearance made many of the veterans uncomfortable. They tried to pick on her.
This was common in the military, and the higher–ups often turned a blind eye.
But Beckham had stepped in, taking care of the troublemakers and even partnering with her to defuse bombs, which eventually made them back off.
There was an intimate atmosphere between them, and Beckham glanced up at the sky, breaking the silence with a smile. “I’ll take you here again sometime. But it looks like it’s about to rain, so we
should head back.”
At the mention of rain, Caroline froze, a shiver running down her spine. She quickly climbed into the jeep.
By the time they returned to the base, the sky had darkened, and distant thunder rumbled
ominously.
Beckham noticed Caroline’s legs trembling, her face pale from the cold. Without a word, he scooped
her up into his arms and hurried toward the dorm.
Just as they reached the door, they spotted Graysen standing there.
When he saw Caroline in Beckham’s arms, Graysen’s fury erupted. Without thinking, he lunged at
Beckham, throwing a punch.
Beckham didn’t have time to dodge. The blow landed squarely, and blood immediately welled up at
the corner of his mouth.
Furious, Caroline shoved Graysen away, shouting, “What the hell is wrong with you?”
Taken by surprise, Graysen stumbled and crashed to the ground, staring up at her with disbelief. His anger surged, drowning all reason.
His voice was hoarse as he spat, “You pushed me for him? Is it that you’ve been with this man all along? Is that why you ran away from your wedding and went abroad? Even when I came after you, you ignored me!”
