Chapter 10
The next day at JFK International Airport, Chloe was crying her eyes out.
“Next time we meet, I want to watch you conquer K2–live on stream!” She shoved my climbing pack into my arms. “And find yourself a younger guy who can keep up with you!”
I laughed and nodded, but as I turned toward the gate, I caught sight of a small head peeking out from behind a terminal pillar.
Ethan stepped out, clutching a small ammo crate Dad had helped him turn into a piggy bank at the range. He hesitated, then held it out to me. “Mom… this is for you.”
The crate was heavy, filled with spent training bullet casings, each etched with a date. The very first one read Mom’s Birthday—a gift
I’d never received during my marriage.
“Dad took me to the range at Fort Sentinel,” Ethan mumbled, scuffing his shoe against the floor. “He said… you can shake it when you
miss me.”
The boarding call echoed over the speakers. I crouched down to meet his gaze. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
Suddenly, he threw his arms around my neck, holding on tight. “I told them a lie! I don’t want Vanessa to be my mom!” Warm tears soaked into my collar. “That kidnapping… it was her idea. Dad kicked her out…”
I froze.
From the shadows, Colton emerged, sharp in his military uniform, holding a familiar velvet box–the same one I’d used to hand him
the divorce papers years ago.
“Madeline,” he said, opening the box to reveal a ring forged from a melted bullet casing. “After you left, I realized—”
“Stop.” I cut him off. “Don’t give me that ‘I regret everything‘ speech.”
His Adam’s apple shifted, but he changed tack. “There’s a Global Special Forces Skills Challenge next month.‘
“And?”
“And,” he said, adjusting the straps of my climbing pack, “I’ll be waiting for you at the finish line.”
Three months later, in Kathmandu, Nepal.
”
At the UNESCO commendation ceremony, I accepted the Wilderness Rescue Medal. Applause thundered through the hall, and as the
cameras swept over the audience, a tall figure in casual clothes caught my eye.
Colton wasn’t in uniform. The black turtleneck sharpened his already striking features. He held a sleeping Ethan in one arm, while his other hand lifted a glowing digital banner with my old livestream slogan: [Maddie’s Mission: Leave No Trace.]
I leaned into the microphone and smiled. “Finally, I want to thank my starting point.”
The big screen shifted to a grainy video of my first climb up Wyoming’s Devil’s Tower at twenty–two, clinging to the rock face and shouting into the wind, What’s life for if not freedom and love?
The feed cut back to the present. I locked eyes with Colton. “But someone taught me that true freedom isn’t about running away.”
After the ceremony, he was waiting at the lounge door. “What did you mean by that?”
1 tossed him a form Instructor qualification for the international joint military training at Ridgeview. Approve it or not?”
He stepped forward, pinning me against the wall, his breathing heavy. “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?“.
“Yep.” 1 poked him in the chest. “General Hayes, this time, I’m setting the rules.”
Outside, the first rays of dawn pierced the Himalayan peaks.
It felt like that snowy night years ago–only this time, I was the one holding the rope.
Chapter 10
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Every twist in the series is surprising
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