The Wrong Woman

"I'm not upset," Mila replied.

She shifted on Nathan's lap, the closeness making her cheeks flush. "You're the one who's worn me out, yet you have the nerve to say I sleep well," she murmured.

Nathan couldn't help but chuckle. Cupping her face, he gently kissed her red lips. "I promise it won't happen again."

"Do you honestly think I'll believe you?" Mila's pout revealed her skepticism.

"That was because I've been holding back for too long," Nathan replied, taking her hand and caressing it tenderly. His eyes earnestly met hers as he added, "I'll make sure it's more frequent from now on." His words made Mila's cheeks heat up even more.

Nathan brought her delicate hand to his lips and planted a kiss on it before cradling it in his own. "Are you still hungry?"

"No, I'm full," Mila said, pulling her hand back cautiously, her eyes wary. "You're not planning on doing that again, are you?"

With a sigh and a bittersweet smile, Nathan responded, "I'm always ready, but only when you are. I won't push you."

"So what's your plan?"

"Now that you've eaten, I want to you to meet someone." Nathan's voice softened, a glimmer of hope lighting up his eyes.

Encouraged by his hopeful gaze, Mila stood and grabbed his hand eagerly. "Let's go now."

and

Nathan pulled up to the

Phoenicia, typically reserved for military

heart racing as

net

Holding Nathan's hand tightly, she navigated through the stringent

and entered the

through the stringentet

darkness outside, the hospital

door for them. Inside the spacious ward, Mila

Nathan, Mila asked,

Nathan replied, guiding her

bed, the elder lying there suddenly

pairs welled with

face bore the marks of shair

his eyes as

trembling hands reached out

to Mila.

Mila cried, rushing into

and joy flooded Mila as she saw Zach alive. Yet, it also