Chapter 3
I wiped away my tears and dialed Mrs. Sterling’s number.
“I want a divorce from Cole.”
“What?” she sounded utterly shocked. “Ava, with that ghastly face of yours, who else would ever want you if you leave the Sterling family?”
“What I look like is none of your concern. This divorce is happening. If the Sterling family refuses, I’ll file a formal complaint with JAG and the base commander. If this blows up, it’ll look bad for everyone.”
The line went silent for a long time.
Finally, a cold voice replied, “Fine. I’ll handle the divorce paperwork.”
I hung up immediately, discharged myself from the hospital, and headed straight back to the officer’s estate.
The moment I walked through the door, I started packing.
The velvet box holding his commendation medals, the custom tactical watch he bought me, and even the simple silver band that symbolized our marriage—
I threw all of it into the trash.
Like throwing away a three-year-long fever dream.
A few days later, Cole was discharged from the hospital and returned home.
His voice still carried a raspy edge from his injuries, but his tone was as gentle as ever.
“Tonight is your birthday. I booked a table at the Officers’ Club. It’s still early, so let me take you to pick out a formal dress first, alright?”
“Alright,” I answered softly.
He drove me to a high-end boutique downtown.
As soon as we walked in, his phone rang.
“Look around first. I have to take this,” he said.
I nodded and walked alone toward the racks of designer clothing.
My eyes landed on a light khaki belted dress. The style was minimalist, the fabric crisp and structured.
“Could you grab this one for me?” I asked the sales associate.
“I’ll take that one.”
A clear, bright female voice rang out from behind me.
I turned around and saw the face from the intelligence file.
It was Selena.
She was even more radiant in person. Even in casual clothes, her posture was perfectly straight, elegant and poised.
“Excuse me?”
Selena stepped forward, her tone polite but firm.
“I had my eye on this piece too, even though you were here first.”
Her gaze swept over my thick black-rimmed glasses and baggy, faded cargo pants. She smiled faintly.
“I just feel like it suits my vibe better. Would you mind letting me have it?”
“I mind,” I said, turning back to the clerk. “Wrap it up for me.”