Jack’s gaze flicked toward the window. Outside, the downpour was relentless, rain pouring in heavy sheets that blurred the view beyond the glass. There was no sign of Olivia anywhere.
His expression darkened as he stood from his chair.
Emily tugged gently at his sleeve. “Are you going out to look for Olivia?” Her tone was sweet, almost innocent. “I mean… it’s pouring out there. She’s probably just standing around, hoping you’ll come rescue her.”
She smiled softly, trying to mask the unease in her eyes. Jack frowned.
“Don’t talk about Olivia like that,” he said sharply. “She’s not the type to pull stunts. Since the day she got here, she’s taken every order head–on. But this storm’s serious–she could be in danger.”
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Worry crept into his voice despite himself. Seeing that, Emily’s eyes flickered with frustration, though she quickly masked it and stood as well, hesitating before she spoke.
“But you know how stubborn she is… If you go out there now, it’ll only make her dig her heels in. Maybe it’s better to wait it out–give her some space?”
Jack paused.
Lately, Olivia had been pushing boundaries more and more. If he gave her an inch now, who knew what kind of stunt she’d pull next?
His jaw tightened, and he sat back down, face unreadable.
Emily’s smile returned. She leaned a little closer, smugness well hidden beneath concern.
The rain didn’t let up until dawn.
As soon as the skies cleared, Jack headed downstairs, a bottle of cold medicine in hand. But when he got to the front yard where Olivia had been ordered to stand, there was no trace of her. Not even footprints.
The guard at the gate looked puzzled. “Haven’t seen Miss Hart this morning, sir.”
Jack’s expression froze. Slowly, anger began to simmer beneath his calm exterior.
She ran off?
Emily walked over just in time, her voice soft with faux regret. “Wow… Olivia really blew you off?
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She must be hiding out somewhere, skipping the punishment. Let’s just leave it be, okay? Breakfast’s ready.”
The young soldier standing nearby frowned and quickly stepped in.
“That’s not what I meant, Captain. Miss Hart didn’t skip punishment–she stood in the rain all day
and night. We all saw it. I just meant I haven’t seen her today. She left in the middle of the night.
Said her reform period was up, and she was going home.”
His cheeks flushed a little as he recalled last night. “She didn’t complain once. Just stood there,
soaked to the bone. Didn’t say a word. Honestly… Miss Hart’s tougher than she looks.”
He added quietly, “She really cares about you, sir. Maybe… maybe it’s time to let things go.”
Jack’s brows furrowed.
She just left. Not a word. No goodbye.
But maybe that was for the best. Now that her time at Camp Liberty was officially over, there was no
need to play the roles of commanding officer and subordinate anymore.
Still, a strange hollowness settled in his chest.
He pushed the thought away.
“I’m going to find her,” he said abruptly. “You stay here.”
Emily blinked. “What? But we were supposed to get breakfast together. If Olivia already left, why bother rushing after her?”
She grabbed at his arm automatically, tone soft and coaxing. But this time, Jack didn’t indulge her.
He pulled his arm free, his voice clipped. “Hands off, Emily. This is a military base–keep it
professional.”
“I’ll be back after I find her. You go eat.”
Without another glance, he turned and strode out of the gates, heading straight toward the Hart
estate with long, determined strides.
Emily stared after him, lips pressed tight.
She clenched her fists, frustration boiling beneath her sweet facade.
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There was no way in hell she was letting Olivia steal Jack back.
Not now. Not ever.
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