Chapter 5

The instant the door latched, my eyes flew open. Throughout the night, the guest room had been filled with hushed noises, their conversations penetrating the quiet.

I'd spent the night perched on the bed's edge, continuously smoking. Empty cigarette packs were strewn about, and the pungent odor of tobacco permeated the air, triggering coughing fits that left my eyes stinging with tears.

Tears—for her. But why? I no longer harbored feelings for her. At least, that's what I repeatedly told myself.

As dawn broke, I cleaned my face, gathered the cigarette butts, and discarded them. With them went years of emotions I could no longer endure.

By the next day—no, by nightfall—this would all be in the past.

Scarlett lingered by the exit as I readied myself to depart, her hesitation palpable.

"Hubby, once this assignment concludes, I swear I'll remain by your side. Just hold on for me!" She showered me with kisses, stalling until the very last moment before dashing out, fearing tardiness.

I observed her vehicle speed away, her words reverberating in my mind, empty and devoid of meaning. I turned and ascended to the rooftop. The awaiting helicopter's blades cut through the air, a stark reminder that there was no going back. As I boarded, a subtle, recognizable scent wafted towards me.

Shortly after, a woman lost her balance as the aircraft made an abrupt turn, tumbling into my arms. "There's still a chance to withdraw, you know," her voice teased, deep and melodious.

I steadied her in her seat and shut my eyes, feigning disinterest. "Brigadier General Gardner, you're unusually chatty today."

Bianca, the Secret Service's sole female brigadier general, was renowned for her cool demeanor, her presence eliciting both admiration and trepidation. Yet now, her laughter—gentle and musical—filled the confined space.

"Henry," she said, her voice dropping, "this mission is crucial. Dismantling this network will permanently weaken the underground factions in the southwest. But you've been selected as the lure."

She paused, her tone imbued with uncommon worry. "Swear to me you'll make your safety the top priority. No unnecessary gambles, clear?"

I nodded mutely, securing my equipment as the helicopter neared the landing zone.

The field command center was prepared and waiting, but upon entering, something seemed amiss. The third person through the entrance behaved oddly. His movements were unnatural, calculated. Instinctively, I moved to exit, but a sudden sting in my neck halted me.

My sight grew hazy, and the world tilted as I heard a voice, arrogant and victorious. "At last. We've apprehended the renowned intelligence analyst. Notify the leader immediately!"

Oblivion engulfed me.

When the moving vehicle finally halted, a team of operatives was already en route. Scarlett furrowed her brow as she examined the mission specifics. "The coordinates are remarkably accurate. But didn't all our planted informants perish?"

The First Captain, a woman with a sharp, authoritative voice, responded calmly. "It was the intelligence analyst. He assimilated and risked everything to send the signal."

Her voice softened, tinged with sentiment. "Today's objective isn't solely about defeating the enemy. It's also about retrieving him safely. That's not just the Administrator's directive—it's my personal request."

Scarlett chuckled softly, her tone nonchalant. "It seems you and this analyst share a special connection, Captain."

The First Captain smiled faintly. "I've held him in high regard for years. As a woman, Scarlett, surely you understand what it's like to fret over someone you care for, don't you?"

Scarlett's reply came promptly, her tone light but pointed. "I suppose I'm more fortunate than you, Captain. I've been wed to the person I love for five years now."

Carter, who had been listening silently, scoffed derisively. "That analyst? The one who typically lurks behind the frontlines? Let me guess—he showed up this time because the reward was too tempting to pass up."

The First Captain's demeanor changed instantly, her anger flaring. "Be quiet, Carter! Without him, none of your operations would have succeeded. You wouldn't even be alive to sit here and spout such nonsense!"

Chastened, Carter fell quiet, grumbling under his breath. The team pressed on, advancing under the cover of night towards their target.

The initial assault on the enemy's outer defenses proceeded smoothly. When Scarlett and Carter's unit stormed the warehouse, they discovered the enemy leader slumped against the second-floor railing, barely breathing. Next to him, bound in five different ways, was a man whose face was obscured by darkness. Even in the dim light, something about him sparked a sense of recognition in Scarlett. Her thoughts were interrupted when Carter, walking ahead of her, suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"It's excruciating! My leg—it's been hit by a bullet!" Through the hail of gunfire, I witnessed Scarlett holding Carter in her arms, her expression taut with fear. Her voice broke, filled with sobs. "I can see the bone! The wound is critical—we can't waste any time."

Carter moaned, his voice low and shaky. "Just detonate the explosives, Scarlett. If this drags on, I might lose my leg... I'm petrified. What if I can't marry you like this?"

The rest of the team hesitated, torn between Carter and the mission. "Captain, we can't do that!" one of them protested. "We're under orders to capture the chief alive! Plus, the intelligence analyst is still inside!"

But their objections were drowned out by Carter's agonized cry. "I'm the captain! Am I not more important than some analyst?"

At that moment, every member of the squad looked to Scarlett. As their leader, the choice was hers to make. Scarlett glanced towards the warehouse's murky interior, where the analyst was supposedly held captive. The intelligence analyst had always been kind to her. He'd helped her earn commendations, saving her life on multiple occasions. But Carter... Carter was different. He wasn't just a colleague; he was her secret. His pain, his vulnerability—it pulled at her heartstrings in ways she couldn't explain. The sound of gunfire outside was unrelenting, a reminder that time was running out.

Ultimately, gratitude and duty were no match for the bond she shared with Carter. Scarlett made her decision. Grabbing the collar of one of her men, she hissed urgently, "The perimeter is secure—there's no need to waste more time here. Throw in an explosive and report that the bandits detonated it themselves. Hurry! Don't linger."

She turned, hefting Carter onto her shoulder with visible strain, and began to retreat. The moment the explosive was thrown, Scarlett hesitated, casting one last look back towards the warehouse. The explosion illuminated the scene in stark detail. For a fleeting instant, the figure bound in the warehouse was unmistakable.

Our gazes met. I smiled—desperate, bitter, and resigned. Scarlett froze, her eyes wide, the realization hitting her like a tidal wave.