Never His to Keep

Rosalie Quinn had spent three days and nights at a dance hall, hoping Nathaniel Farrell would finally give up on marrying her.

Instead, he'd shown up in his immaculate military uniform, hoisted her onto his back, and carried her home without a care for the stares.

She'd even deliberately crashed into the fence around the commander's garden, hoping Nathaniel would finally decide she was too much trouble to marry.

But he'd simply gone to the commander's house, apologized in person, paid for the damage, and made sure the incident stayed quiet.

No matter what trouble Rosalie caused, Nathaniel cleaned up after her without a word of complaint.

This time, she'd been detained after getting into a fight.

Nathaniel had just returned from an urgent three-day mission. His eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion, and he'd rushed straight over to get her released without even changing out of his uniform.

He looked exhausted, but his posture was as straight as ever. For once, Rosalie wanted to explain herself.

She hadn't gone looking for trouble. Some man had taken one look at her and started getting handsy. But before she could explain, Nathaniel stepped closer and gently took her hand.

He noticed a tiny cut on her fingertip that she hadn't even seen. He took a small first-aid kit from his uniform pocket, cleaned the cut with antiseptic, and covered it with a Band-Aid.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

Rosalie forgot everything she'd been about to say.

Nathaniel looked up at her, his gaze steady. "I don't care how much trouble you get into. Whatever happens, I'll take care of it. I just want to know one thing. Does it hurt?"

That simple question reached a part of Rosalie she'd kept guarded for years. Suddenly, all her defenses fell away.

Growing up, whenever she got into trouble, her father scolded her for embarrassing the family. Her stepmother would put on a show of concern, only to lecture her about how a proper lady should behave.

No one had ever asked if she was hurt or if someone had mistreated her.

When Rosalie finally spoke, her voice was hoarse. "Nathaniel, I'll marry you."

Something flickered in his eyes.

But Rosalie was still as proud and possessive as ever.

"Before we get married, I need to ask you something. Have you ever loved someone you couldn't be with? If I'm going to marry you, I want you all to myself. I won't share you with another woman, not even someone from your past."

Nathaniel held her gaze. "No. You're the only woman I've ever loved."

And just like that, Rosalie and Nathaniel were married.

Nelmora's most glamorous troublemaker had married the military's most straitlaced officer.

Before long, everyone in Nelmora's high society knew better than to cross Rosalie.

After all, her husband was a formidable general. No matter how much trouble she caused, Nathaniel would always stand by her and protect her from the consequences.

Even Rosalie had begun to believe he truly loved her.

But everything changed the day she went to the military base to bring him some documents he'd left at home.

As she approached the training grounds, she spotted a group of officers in the middle of what looked like a lively get-together.

It seemed Nathaniel had lost some kind of game, and now the others were making him answer a question honestly.

One of them called out, "Come on, General Farrell! What's the biggest lie you've ever told?"

The chatter died down as everyone turned to Nathaniel, eager to hear what their famously strict and honest commander would say.

Nathaniel was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable in the dim light.

He lifted his cup, took a sip, and finally spoke. His voice was low, but Rosalie had just reached the doorway and heard every word.

"Someone once asked me if I'd ever loved someone I couldn't be with. I told her no. I lied."

Rosalie froze, stunned by what she'd just heard. For a moment, she couldn't move or even draw a breath.

He'd lied to her. He had loved someone he couldn't be with. Why had he hidden the truth from her? And what had he really wanted from their marriage?

A cold dread settled in her stomach. Her hands began to shake.

She was about to storm over and demand an explanation when a guard hurried up and whispered something in Nathaniel's ear.

Whatever he'd heard, it was enough to shatter his usual composure.

Nathaniel shot to his feet, grabbed his uniform jacket from the back of his chair, and hurried out without a word. He didn't even notice Rosalie standing in the doorway.

His shoulder struck hers hard as he passed, knocking her off balance. He kept going without so much as a glance.

Rosalie stumbled, pain shooting through her shoulder. But that was nothing compared to the hurt of being brushed aside as though she didn't exist.

Despite the pain and all the questions racing through her mind, she followed him.

Nathaniel climbed into a jeep. The engine roared to life, and moments later, he sped off. Rosalie quickly flagged down a car and followed.

The jeep finally stopped outside an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Nelmora.

Nathaniel rushed inside with his guards. Rosalie slipped in behind them, keeping to the shadows.

Inside, a ferocious-looking man was holding a young woman at knifepoint.

The woman wore a plain, modest dress. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she looked close to collapsing.

The moment Nathaniel saw her, his expression darkened.

"Let her go!" he shouted, a faint tremor in his voice.

The kidnapper let out a nasty laugh.

"I knew I'd grabbed the right woman! Everyone says you spoil that troublemaker of a wife, Nathaniel. But I'm not fooled. Evelyn Cohen's the woman you really love!"

Evelyn Cohen?

Rosalie's stomach dropped.

The kidnapper went on, "You got my men killed or maimed in that last border operation! Now you'll know what it's like to lose someone you love!"

A vein stood out on the back of Nathaniel's hand, but he kept his voice steady.

"I'm the one you want! Let her go and deal with me!"

"You want me to let her go? Fine!"

The kidnapper kicked a dagger across the floor. It skidded to a stop at Nathaniel's feet.

"Stab yourself in the heart. Then maybe I'll let her go!"

"No, Nathaniel! Don't!"

Evelyn shook her head, sobbing.

Nathaniel looked at her for a long moment. Rosalie had never seen so much love in his eyes.

Then he bent down, picked up the dagger, and drove it toward his heart without hesitation.

Hidden in the shadows, Rosalie dug her nails into her palms to keep from screaming.

He was willing to die for another woman. He hadn't even hesitated.