The Wrong Woman

"If Yale is in the clear, there's no reason for Nathan to feel anxious about his blood. But if there's a problem with Yale, Nathan would undoubtedly take swift action."

Cole's realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "Mrs. Morrison, are you suggesting that General Morrison's true motive isn't to obtain Yale's blood for DNA analysis? Perhaps he's orchestrating this ruse to provoke Yale's suspicion, prompting the man to retaliate against him."

Mila nodded. "That's my theory."

"But why would General Morrison do that?" Cole asked.

Mila, too, struggled to understand Nathan's motive. Confusion clouded her mind.

Rubbing her temples, Mila thought for a moment before asking, "Cole, has Nate given you any unusual instructions recently or asked you to place anything in the car?"

Cole suddenly recalled and exclaimed, "Yes, he did. General Morrison tasked me with fetching a professional diving pump with oxygen from the arsenal a couple of days ago, along with a specialized hammer for breaking car windows."

A faint smile crept onto Mila's lips, dispelling the sadness and despair that had plagued her in recent days. Every worry she had morphed into a source of determination.

The weight that had burdened her heart lifted at last.

Tears welled in Mila's eyes as she retrieved her phone, rereading the last message Nathan had sent her: "Stay calm, wait for my return."

Mila bit her lip, a whirlwind of emotions raging within her. "When you come back, we need to have a serious conversation," she silently pledged. "Risking your life in such a dangerous plan without discussing it with me first-is that fair to Jasper and me if something goes wrong?"

Unable to suppress his curiosity, Cole asked, "Mrs. Morrison, what is General Morrison's plan exactly? Where is he?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Mila admitted. She didn't have a clear grasp of Nathan's intentions, but she knew they were all part of his calculated strategy.

what's our next move?"

too close to him. Also, do not assign anyone to track him under any circumstances. Simply regard him as inconsequential. Concentrate

acknowledgment. "Got it, Mrs.

"And keep this information to yourself. Don't discuss

"Consider it done."

early spring, the streets were bathed in radiant sunshine,

Phoebe,

to the

vaccinations. After the appointment, they ventured

for

surprise, they ran into Fenna and Lillian, whom they hadn't seen since the wedding reception a

shopping for

her,

a look of disdain as she angrily exclaimed, "With Nate's life on the line and his whereabouts unknown, how can

choice do I have? Should I spend every day at home grieving? Or should I dive

let out a weary sigh before remarking, "Ms. Hudson, your love runs deep, doesn't it? It's just

clenched, her expression twisted with anger. "A woman like you doesn't deserve

Mila replied indifferently, "I

Nathan

dead or alive. My worthiness to him is not for you to judge. Even

have the sole right to be buried

intensified

in tow, Mila turned to walk