Chapter 1

"Caleb, I'll do it."

Commander Kathryn Jennings's voice over the receiver sounded like music from heaven, and in that moment, the weight I'd been carrying for so long finally lifted.

I hadn't expected her to agree so easily. For a second, I just stood there frozen.

When I got home, a sudden shout from behind made me jump.

"Caleb! You're out of the hospital? Why didn't you tell us?"

I turned to find Theo Reynold staring at the suitcase in my hand, his eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite read.

"Since Nina's pregnant and needs looking after, she asked me to move into the master bedroom for now. Hope you don't mind?"

Nina Dawson stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over my scar with barely concealed disgust.

"Caleb, Theo knows how to take care of someone. You go back to the guest room. Once that ugly scar heals, you can come back to the master bedroom."

A sharp pang of bitterness hit me. Three years ago, right after we got married, Nina's distant relative Theo showed up claiming family ties.

I took him in because his hometown was going through a crisis, letting him stay in the guest room—but I never thought it would turn into three whole years.

Now that my wound had just split open, she still wanted me to live in the guest bedroom?

Seeing me hesitate, Nina grabbed my suitcase.

"I'm pregnant, and stress is bad for the baby. If you're fine, just stay out of the way."

My luggage was tossed into the cramped guest room like it was garbage. Dust instantly puffed up into the air.

Theo pinched his nose in disgust and let Nina lead him into the master bedroom. The pine door clicked shut with a finality that sealed off the chill of the guest room.

On autopilot, I picked up my suitcase. I didn't have the energy to argue. Not that it mattered—there were only a few days left anyway.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of teasing voices from the TV in the living room.

My head was spinning. Lifting my shirt, I saw my wound had become inflamed and started to fester again.

I got up to head to the clinic for some antibiotics.

But the second I opened the door, I froze.

On the couch, the two of them were tangled together, lips locked in a kiss that left a silver trail.

When Nina saw me, the lust vanished from her face, replaced by irritation.

"Finally up? Staying in the hospital made you lazy, huh? Theo wants buns from the west side of town. Go get him two packs!"

I pressed a hand to my stomach, my lips trembling.

"Nina… my wound is infected."

She just snorted coldly, strode over, and shoved me hard in the back.

"Quit your whining! I said go, so go! Don't forget—if it weren't for my family taking you in, you'd be out on the streets!"

I stumbled, hitting the bookshelf before catching myself.

Theo, meanwhile, clung to Nina's shoulder.

"Nina… please. Caleb's not feeling well… I get it. I just… don't have much of an appetite today anyway, so I'll skip it."

Nina hugged him tighter, her face full of concern.

"You're so thin. If you don't keep your strength up, how are you supposed to take care of me? It's just a short walk! I don't believe the wound's gonna split open!"

I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to ignore the cutting words. But big tears rolled down my cheeks anyway, each one hitting the floor like a heavy drop of rain.

But... I just saved his father with one of my kidneys.

I slipped my hand into my pocket and gripped the cold, heavy medal. My mother had pressed it into my palm on her deathbed.

I could still hear her final words, "Caleb… if someday… you can't go on… take this… and go find Kathryn Jennings… she owes our family her life…"

Just then, the neighbor, Patty Rogers, knocked and passed along a cryptic message—just one sentence.

"Commander will come for you tomorrow morning."

I knew—she was coming to get me.