Chapter 7
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Chapter 7
The sun was so blinding on the day Liana Langston was discharged that she could barely open her eyes.
As she turned down the sycamore–lined path outside the military hospital, she spotted Martha crouched suspiciously near the guard booth.
“Liana! Over here!”
“Martha?” Liana instinctively pressed her left arm where the blood draw had left a deep bruise–it still throbbed painfully.
“Colonel Lawson has everything arranged. The military train leaves at five tomorrow morning.” Martha pulled a train ticket from the waistband of her pants, lowering her
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voice to a whisper. “He said the border base has everything you’ll need. You just need to show up.”
Liana quickly took out the greeting card thick with cash she had prepared in advance. “I appreciate your trouble.”
“Oh, come now! Colonel Lawson already gave me a “thank–you” gift!”
“This isn’t for that.” Liana pushed the card into her hand, the corners of her burned lips lifting into a faint curve. “This is my thank–you gift for giving me a second chance at life.”
Martha froze, eyes suddenly turning red. “That’s right. Captain Graham’s been gone for half a year. You deserve to move on…”
Yes. In everyone else’s eyes, Adrian Graham
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had died six months ago.
Only she knew he was still alive–alive and basking in Zoe Young’s warm embrace.
Before she could finish, the iron gate was kicked with a thunderous crash.
Adrian Graham stood drenched in sweat, blocking the doorway. Mud still clung to his combat boots from field training, his chest heaving violently.
“I said ” He snatched the card and tore it to pieces. “Liana Langston’s life is not for others to meddle with!”
Martha stumbled back in fright. “But Colonel Lawson-”
“Martha, you should go.” Liana gently pushed her away, her fingertips tracing the words
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eed as planned” in her palm.
evils Mile
19 me ha hurried off, nearly bumping into Zoe
g, who was stepping in with a grocery
oiket.
2610 2
be froze at the sight of Adrian standing dongotectively in front of Liana.
e buM
611 The basket hit the ground with a loud clang.
Tomatoes rolled in all directions–splashes of red that looked like scattered pools of srblood.
preg
Late that night, as Liana Langston packed the last sweater into her suitcase, the door slammed open.
Zoe Young leaned against the frame, her barely–there baby bump cradled in one arm, a
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Ignoring Liana completely, he scooped Zoe into his arms and rushed toward the infirmary.
In his arms, Zoe sobbed pitifully, her voice echoing through the corridor.
She kicked me in the stomach… Landon…
our son…”
Liana stared at the so–called bloodstain on the floor–clearly just chicken blood.
She suddenly laughed, the metallic taste of blood rising in her throat. Only then did she realize she’d bitten through her lip.
At dawn, Liana dragged her suitcase to the checkpoint–only to run straight into Adrian
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Graham, reeking of gunpowder.
His eyes were bloodshot, his uniform damp with dew, clearly fresh from training.
“Why did you have to hurt Zoe Young?” He grabbed her shoulders roughly. “The baby almost didn’t make it. I sat up with her all night to keep her stable.”
Liana jerked away and walked on in silence.
He finally noticed the suitcase.
“So you knew I’d make you leave? Already packed and ready to go.”
Liana stopped dead in her tracks.
“Make me leave?”
His tired face grew hard with resolve.
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“Zoe needs peace and quiet. You’ll stay in the hospital dorms for now.”
He forcefully grabbed her suitcase.
“I’ll take you to the station.”
“No need.” Liana yanked it back. “I know the way.”
But Adrian followed stubbornly, like an escort for a prisoner, right up to the platform.
“When the baby’s born, I’ll bring you back.”
“I’ll not see you off. Zoe’s waiting for her bandage change.”
With that, he turned and walked away, his boots crushing the morning dew.
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Liana stood before the ticket window and suddenly let out a quiet laugh.
Adrian Graham, go live your perfect life with Zoe Young.
She watched as his dark green military jeep vanished into the mist.
Then she turned and walked to the opposite platform–toward the train that would take her to the border.
To where Miles Lawson waited.
To a brand–new future.
As the sun rose, she looked back one last time in the direction of the special forces
base.
Adrian Graham, from this day on, even if we
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live or die-
We will never see each other again!
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