Years Of Devotion, Repaid With Betrayal

Clara's POV

Rain poured outside the school gates. Ride share apps showed no drivers nearby.

I opened the app again.

The comment section was active.

[I always knew true love would win. Seven years of waiting, and you two are finally public!]

That comment came from Aaron Cole, my husband's childhood friend.

Just last month, he had smiled and told me I was a hundred times better than Ramsey's ex.

[Congratulations, Ramsey! Make sure I get an invitation to the wedding. I'll have to come up with a good excuse to take time off work.]

That was Chloe Johnson, my intern. When her family caused scenes at our medical clinic, I was the one who stood up for her.

[You better make it convincing. If Clara Collins finds out, she'll throw a fit.]

That was Sarah Hayes, my college roommate. When she was hospitalized last month, I brought her homemade meals every single day.

The page auto-refreshed with a new photo.

A carved jade pendant rested on top of a medical chart.

[Thank you for all the sweet messages. Tonight is my son's most critical heart surgery. No matter the outcome, I will forever be grateful that Ramsey fulfilled Noah's dream seven years ago.]

[Noah has worn this guardian pendant for seven years through seven surgeries. It brought us safety every time. Praying for one last miracle tonight.]

I recognized that pendant instantly.

Seven years ago, when my husband went on his first high-risk assignment, I gave him that exact charm. I had originally bought it for our unborn daughter.

He gave it away to another woman's child the very next day.

Lily tugged nervously at her oversized hospital gown, her head hanging low.

"Mommy... are you and Daddy not having a wedding again this year?"

Her voice was barely a whisper. "I'm scared my little flower dress won't fit me next year either."

A sharp ache hit my chest.

When our daughter was four, Ramsey promised us a proper wedding as soon as his tour ended.

She was so excited. She dragged me to the store to pick out her very first dress.

“I want to be the flower girl at Mommy and Daddy's wedding!”

The next year, Ramsey claimed his assignment was extended. He asked for one more year.

I believed him. I waited year after year.

I waited until the dress no longer fit. I waited until Lily was diagnosed with advanced bone cancer.

Now, her life was measured in rounds of chemotherapy. The doctors couldn't tell us how many days she had left.

I swallowed the burn in my throat and gently patted her head.

"Don't worry, sweetie. You will always have beautiful dresses that fit.

"If a dress doesn't fit anymore, we throw it away."

And if a man doesn't belong to us, I leave him behind.

I refreshed the app again. The post was gone.

A second later, my phone vibrated. Ramsey Collins was calling.

"I'm sorry, Clara," Ramsey said, his voice rushed. "Command just informed us that the debriefing is taking longer than expected.

"If we host a public wedding right now, it might put you and Lily in danger from old targets. We need to postpone the announcement a little longer."

I had heard those exact words for seven years.

I had waited seven years.

Only to end up with a fake marriage license.

"Okay," I said quietly.

Hearing no anger in my voice, Ramsey let out a visible sigh of relief.

"I have some urgent matters to take care of tonight, so I won't be coming home," he added. "On my next leave, I'll make it up to you and Lily."

A cheap excuse.

One I had accepted time and time again.

Now, I was simply tired.

"Fine," I said, and hung up.

I took Lily's small hand and flagged down a passing cab.

In the photo, the medical file under the pendant belonged to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital, the top pediatric facility in the state.

I had begged Ramsey Collins countless times to use his connections to transfer Lily there.

Every single time, he turned me down cold.

"Clara, connections aren't meant to be abused. We only use them when it's absolutely critical.

"Relax. The local hospital is fine. Lily will get the same care anywhere."

He didn't refuse to use his power.

He just refused to waste it on me.