Chapter 4
That night my dreams were a tangled blur, but the internal clock I’d trained over five years in Fort Sentinel’s family housing still jolted me awake at 5:00 a.m. sharp.
Back then, I’d be pressing Colton’s dress blues or cooking Ethan a protein–packed breakfast.
Now? I rolled over and let the sun pry my eyes open hours later.
Downstairs, grabbing a quick bite, I overheard Colton’s aides talking in the common area.
“General Hayes took Ethan to the shooting range,
})
one said. “Major Cole went along.”
“Huh. You’d think they were the real family,” the other muttered.
Yeah, Plenty of people thought so. And in the eyes of the Hayes clan–and Colton himself–my own wants never factored in. My job was to smile, show up where a military spouse was expected to be, and take care of them without complaint.
Last month, I finally called a lawyer.
Five days slipped by.
Then Chloe blew into my living room like a tornado. “Get dressed. We’re hitting the climbing gym–time to hunt for some eye candy.”
She winked. “College athletes. Abs you could grate cheese on.”
>>
The twenty–somethings there had charm to spare, tossing playful “Hey, gorgeous” lines our way. Chloe elbowed me, grinning. “What do you think? Better than your ice–cold soldier boy, right?”
I laughed. “Guess I should’ve come up for air sooner.”
That was all she needed to hear. “Exactly! You should’ve ditched that marriage years ago. Any of these guys–hell, all of them—would treat you better than that cold–hearted bastard.”
She leaned in, voice low and teasing. “Find yourself a young stud with stamina, and you’ll be set for life.”
I was about to crack a comeback when a cough cut through the noise. I turned and spotted Colton, with his adjutant Lucas Reed standing beside him. Lucas looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. Colton, backlit by the sun, was as unreadable as ever–face
carved in stone when it came to me.
I grabbed Chloe’s arm, ready to leave, certain he wouldn’t care. But to my surprise, he stepped forward and caught my arm.
“There’s a gathering I need you at. Let’s go.”
Before I could protest, he steered me straight to his car.
In the passenger seat, I sat frozen. Colton had always treated me like I was invisible–no interest, no opinion. The only time I’d seen this kind of force from him before had been behind closed doors.
His voice broke the silence. “You can’t just sit around talking about blowing up a military marriage.”
It took me a beat to realize he’d heard every word with Chloe.
I let out a sharp laugh. “So I’m supposed to stay in this miserable cage forever?”
For the first time, I met his gaze head on, ice in my stare.
He held my eyes for several long seconds, then said nothing.
Fine. I closed mine and leaned back, feigning sleep.
When we arrived, I realized it was a private get together with his friends a world he’d never brought me into before. Not that I cared. Most of thein had written me off years ago as some small–town mislit who’d never belong
So I kept my face neutral, drank my wine, and stayed quiet. After a few glasses, I excused myself to the restroom.
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Chapter 4
3
The moment I was gone, the questions came.
“Colt, what’s with your wife? No smile, and she gave you attitude.”
“Yeah, heard you’re getting divorced. That true?”
Colton’s brow tightened. “Who said I’m getting divorced? I married her. She’s my wife–for life.”
Noah Smith blinked. “You’re serious?”
Colton just gave him a look.
Noah’s tone shifted. “You remember Brigadier General Thompson from West Coast Naval Base? Same as you–barely acknowledged his wife, practically lived at the base. No one even knew he was married.
She finally walked, divorced him. Word is, he’s still chasing her.
He leaned forward. “If you’re planning on keeping Madeline around, you’d better start paying attention. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if she pulls a Mrs. Thompson on you.”
Colton’s glass stilled midair. His voice stayed cool. “She won’t.”
Meanwhile, in the restroom, my phone buzzed.
[Ms. Carter, your divorce decree is finalized. You can pick it up at the County Clerk’s Office.]
Every twist in the series is suprig
