hapter 6
Olivia flinched at the sudden grip on her wrist. She scowled and yanked her hand free.
Her first instinct was to snap, “What, can’t tell I’m packing?“–but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she said quietly, “Just sorting clothes.”
She didn’t look up. “This place is damp as hell. Gotta air things out now and then or mold will eat
them alive.”
Jack’s tense shoulders eased slightly. His voice settled back into its usual cold detachment. “This
isn’t your mansion uptown.”
“I never said it was.” Her tone stayed calm. “And I won’t be living in any mansions anymore.”
He frowned, clearly confused by what she meant. But within seconds, his expression hardened
again.
“You planning to stay on base forever? I already told you–stop clinging to me and finish your reeducation. The sooner you’re done, the sooner you go back.”
Olivia didn’t bother replying. She kept folding her clothes in silence.
After a pause, he spoke again. “I’m staying on base tonight.”
She didn’t respond.
He repeated it, this time a bit quieter. “Emily’s recovered. I sent her home.”
Then, as if trying not to sound like he cared too much, he added, “Your injuries were worse. If the pain kicks in tonight… call me. I’ll bring you the meds.”
Her hands froze.
So he still remembered.
He remembered she couldn’t handle pain.
Remembered the time she scraped her knee not long after they’d met–how she’d cried, and how he’d called her dramatic while gently dabbing antiseptic on her cut, using the pad of his finger
instead of the cotton swab.
But Olivia blinked and came back to herself. Her voice was steady. “No need. I’m not scared of pain
anymore.”
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She stuffed the last piece of clothing into her suitcase, then looked up at him.
“If you’re done, feel free to leave. Didn’t you say we should keep things professional? Or are you worried I’ll jump you?”
Jack’s expression darkened. Without another word, he turned on his heel and slammed the door
behind him.
Late that night, a blaring alarm pierced through the sound of rain hammering the roof.
Olivia shot upright in bed. Lightning lit up the sky outside; thunder cracked loud enough to shake
the windows.
She rushed to the window and yanked the curtain aside–just in time to see Jack throwing on a
raincoat and running out into the storm.
A second later, they nearly collided in the hallway.
“Floods hit the riverbank,” he said, jaw tight, water dripping from his chin. “We’re being deployed
for disaster relief.”
“Stay here,” he added firmly. “Don’t run around.”
Before she could respond, he was gone–swallowed by the rain.
Olivia stood frozen at the window, watching as military trucks roared out of the gates.
Just then, the cafeteria cook, Mrs. Jenkins, burst out of the staff quarters, sobbing. “My grandson’s
still in the housing units by the river! What do I do?!”
Olivia didn’t hesitate. She grabbed a raincoat and ran out into the night.
By the time she arrived, the scene was chaos.
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The riverbank had collapsed. Muddy floodwater churned, carrying branches and debris with it.
Soldiers shouted over the storm, their boots sloshing through knee–deep water.
Jack stood on a rise, soaked to the bone, barking orders in a hoarse voice. “Squad One–get the civilians out of the east block! Squad Two–reinforce the levee! Move!”
Then everyone froze. As if they’d all seen a ghost.
Jack turned, following their stares.
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There she was.
Olivia stood a few yards away, rain flattening her long hair against her pale face. She looked like she’d stepped out of another world, like the chaos around her didn’t touch her–but everyone could feel the weight of her presence.
Jack stormed over and yanked off his raincoat, wrapping it around her shoulders.
“What the hell are you doing here?” His voice was sharp. “Didn’t I tell you to stay inside?”
She tilted her face up, water dripping from her lashes. “Richard sent me to Camp Liberty. As long as I’m here, I’m part of the unit.”
She paused. “And if this is a relief mission, I’m pitching in.”
“You’re not built for this,” he snapped. “Go back.”
But she smiled, calm and steady. “Jack, you’ve never understood me.”
And with that, she turned and stepped straight into the churning flood, joining the effort to
evacuate families.
He started after her, but a familiar voice called out from behind.
“Jack!”
He turned to see Emily rushing forward, struggling to hold up a broken umbrella. “You’re here too?”
Emily blinked, caught off guard by the question. Then, spotting Olivia not far away, her expression darkened for a moment.
“I… I just wanted to help,” she stammered, forcing a weak smile.
Before Jack could stop her, she waded into the knee–deep floodwaters after Olivia.”
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