Shattered Bonds Between Us

On the third day after my father's death, Marcus Hale still hadn't come."Chief Collins, I've made up my mind. I want to honor my father's wishes and stay here in Pine Ridge Village to teach the children," I said firmly as I packed up my bags.The chief of the village, Henry Collins, froze before trying to persuade me, "Clara, you worked so hard to follow the military, why would you come back to this poor place and suffer?"I shook my head and looked down at the worn wristwatch on my arm, my father's only keepsake bequeathed to me. "I'm not afraid of hardship. Give me seven days. I'll file for divorce."At seven that evening, I finally returned to our home at Fort Haven. The food on the table was still there, exactly the same as when I had left.Just as I set my bags down, footsteps echoed at the door.Marcus walked in, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in his sharp green uniform. His voice was cold."Is there any food left? The mess hall's closed. Heat something up and pack it

"Clara, it’s just some stuff. Since when did you become so petty?"Julia tugged at Marcus’s sleeve, her voice soft and pitiful as she said, "I’m sorry, Clara. I only thought that since you weren’t here these past few days, I’d borrow the space for a while. I didn’t expect it to upset you... I didn’t mean for my things to end up on the floor."She even moved as if to bow to me.Marcus immediately caught her, his eyes sharp and cold. "Clara, don’t go too far. Julia didn’t do it on purpose. That’s enough."How many times had he gotten angry with me because of Julia? I couldn’t even count anymore.I refused to play any part in their drama. Hugging my box, I walked straight out, but as I passed Julia, a foot shot out and caught me.Marcus’s gaze sharpened, his hand moving instinctively to grab me, but it was already too late.I crashed to the floor. The contents of the box scattered everywhere, and my wrist scraped hard against the ground.Marcus stepped quickly toward me, his hand

Marcus walked behind Julia, steadying her as they entered, and didn't catch the words at first. "What did you say?"Jake opened his mouth but couldn't summon the courage to repeat it. After a long pause, he stammered, "Captain... Captain Hale, your wife left a divorce agreement on the table..."This time, Marcus heard him clearly. His hand slipped from Julia's arm. She wobbled, her ankle twisting under her. "Ah, Marcus!" she cried softly.However, the man didn't look back. He shoved past the others crowding the room, seizing Jake by the collar. "What did you say? Say it again!"The air thickened with his battlefield aura, a force only someone who had faced war could command. His face was thunderous.The men froze, not one daring to speak.Jake swallowed hard, forcing the words out. "Your wife... she left you a letter. It's on the table."Marcus shoved him aside and, with trembling hands, snatched up the paper.The first line was written in bold strokes: "Application for Dissolu

"Julia had just gotten divorced. I thought, as a single woman, she needed someone to look after her. That’s why I kept her company those days."Grace let out a sharp, cold laugh. "Doesn’t she have family? Why did it have to be you—a married man—taking care of her?"Marcus’s expression darkened."And when Clara went home to her father, you didn’t go with her!" Grace’s chest rose and fell with fury as she snapped the words.Marcus instinctively furrowed his brow, baffled at why she was so angry. "Clara told me at the last minute. I had things to do, so I couldn’t go. I promised her I’d go with her once I finished up."Grace’s face softened slightly. "And what exactly kept you so busy? Did you explain that to Clara?"Marcus nodded. "Julia was sick and in the hospital. I stayed to take care of her. I even told Clara that.""You!" Grace shot to her feet, unable to hold back any longer. She jabbed a finger at his head, her face burning with outrage. "Now I finally understand why Cla

"Julia, I underestimated you."David’s stern voice rang out, and Julia froze.In the next second, she saw Grace standing behind him, holding William by the hand.Fear and panic flickered across Julia’s face. "Colonel Grant, what do you mean by that?"The soldiers who had followed them inside lined up along the wall. The once-quiet infirmary suddenly felt crowded.All eyes were on David, even the doctor and nurse slowed their hands, hardly daring to breathe.Grace broke the silence with a cold laugh. "Julia, last week I sent my son William to tell Captain Hale that Clara’s father had died and she needed him to come home for the funeral. William said you promised to pass it along, then sent him home for dinner. Is that true?"The room fell into deathly silence.Julia’s face went pale. She bit her lip and decided to deny it to the end. "Grace, I truly didn’t know about this. Marcus, you have to believe me."No one answered her. She looked instead at William, who was nervously che