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.

our next

investigating Yale or getting too close to him. Also, do not assign anyone to track him under any circumstances. Simply regard him as

in acknowledgment. "Got

added, "And keep this information to yourself.

"Consider it done."

the early spring, the streets were bathed in radiant sunshine,

Phoebe,

the hospital for

appointment, they ventured to a nearby mall, browsing

essentials for Jasper.

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

also shopping for baby supplies, hinting at Lillian's

Lillian to greet her, she

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

"What other choice do I have? Should I spend every day at home grieving? Or should I dive into the river each day, searching for my possibly

weary sigh before remarking, "Ms. Hudson, your love runs deep, doesn't it? It's just unfortunate that you're directing it

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

Mila replied indifferently, "I

but Nathan is still

of whether he's dead or alive. My worthiness to him is not for you to

have the sole right to be

rage intensified at

Phoebe and Jasper in tow, Mila turned to walk