That line felt like a dull knife, sinking slow and deep into Olivia’s chest.
She’d heard him say things like that a hundred times over the past three years, and every time, it still knocked the air out of her.
“Head to the field,” Jack said, glancing at his watch. “Three miles. Recite the code as you run. Now.
Move.”
Olivia bit down hard on her bottom lip, the sharp taste of blood spreading across her tongue.
For a split second, she almost screamed back-
“I’m not interested in you either! I’m getting married soon, and then you’ll never have to see me again!”
But what would that even change? What would he say?
She took a deep breath, swallowed the words down, and turned sharply on her heel. Her boots slammed against the concrete with every step.
The moon cast a pale, sickly glow across the field. Olivia jogged under it, her voice rising hoarse
and strained.
“Article One: Obeying orders is our duty! Article Two: Maintain strict discipline—”
Lights flicked on in the dorm building, window by window. Faces appeared behind the glass.
“Damn, Miss Hart’s getting punished again?”
“She’s got that killer face–could have any guy eating out of her hand. But nope, she goes for Captain No–Fun himself.”
“Come on, even if Captain Rivers was into someone, wouldn’t it be Emily Ross? She did save his
life.”
“Agree! I’ve never seen him treat anyone special–except her.”
Their voices stabbed like needles.
Olivia ran faster. Her shouting grew louder.
“Article Three: Never fear sacrifice! Article Four: Show courage and resilience-”
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Sweat stung her eyes, making them burn. She swiped at her face, not sure anymore if it was sweat
or tears.
“Article Ten-”
Suddenly, the world tilted. Her knees buckled, and she hit the ground hard. Her forehead slammed
into the dirt.
All she saw was red.
“Captain Rivers! Miss Hart passed out!” someone yelled in a panic.
“Leave her.”
His voice was like a slab of ice.
“Keep training.”
Gritting her teeth, Olivia forced herself to her feet. Blood trickled down her face, cold and sticky,
tracing the curve of her brow.
She wiped it with a trembling hand–her palm came away crimson.
“I don’t need your help, either!” she shouted, her voice shaking. But she stood tall.
Jack stood not far away, posture rigid, expression carved from stone. Not a flicker of emotion.
She laughed–eyes hot and burning–and turned back toward the track.
“Article One: Obeying orders is our duty! Article Two: Maintain strict discipline-
11
Blood mixed with sweat, blurring her vision. She couldn’t tell how long she’d been running. Or how
many times she’d recited those words.
Her throat tasted of iron. Her legs felt like they’d been filled with molten lead. Every step stabbed
up her bones.
“…Article Ten: Never betray your unit!”
The last word left her lips just before the darkness swallowed her whole.
She collapsed.
Somewhere in the fog of unconsciousness, she felt arms wrap around her.
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Her eyes
fluttered open to a strong jawline and tight lips -Jack, carrying her.
“I thought you said…” she mumbled, voice slurring, “…you didn’t care.”
His pace didn’t falter. His tone stayed hard.
“As long as you’re under my command, your safety is my responsibility.”
So that’s all it ever was.
She let out a broken little laugh. Her chest ached with it.
All those nights he’d climbed the dorm fence to bring her medicine.
All those times he sat by her bedside when she had a fever.
All that quiet concern…
Just “responsibility.”
”
O
“You don’t have to worry,” she whispered, voice trailing off. “I won’t be around much longer…”
She thought she heard him say “What do you mean?“.
But then the blackness swallowed everything.
When she woke again, Olivia found herself lying in her bunk. Her head throbbed, but it had been
bandaged.
She reached up to touch the gauze. Her fingertips were cold.
The door creaked open. Emily stepped in, carrying a tray of medicine. Her soft, gentle smile lit up
her face.
“Hey, Olivia. You’re awake?”
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