Abby watched with satisfaction as the original form transformed into countless fragments.Her gloomy expression dissolved, and she settled back into the plush leather chair, a contented smile gracing her lips.When Stuart returned to his office, he found his beloved daughter occupying his seat, looking rather pleased with herself. ‘Abby.’‘Dad.’ Abby rose from the chair, greeting him with a smile. ‘Mom said you wanted to talk to me.’Stuart closed the door. ‘Your mother told me about the argument you had with Simon.’‘Oh.’ Abby’s smile faltered. ‘I thought this was about work.’Stuart’s tone carried earnest concern. ‘You two are married now, so you can’t act the way you did before. I don’t know who or what started the argument, but I’ve seen how Simon treated you. I’m inclined to think he’s not to blame in this case. You are going to have to stop picking fights with him.’‘Dad, I know what I’m doing,’ Abby replied nonchalantly. ‘Just because we’re married doesn’t mean he gets a free p

For the next three days, Callie juggled between work and caring for Elias, who reluctantly agreed to stay in the ward at her insistence.Her meticulous attention helped speed up his recovery.‘Time for a check-up.’ Callie entered the room, snapping on her gloves and reaching for the buttons on his hospital gown.Her touch sent a shiver down Elias’s spine.As her gloved fingers brushed against his warm body, his temperature rose even higher.Elias’s eyes fixated on Callie, whose head was bent close to his chest. ‘Callie.’‘What?’‘Do you always undress your patients like this? Even men?’ Elias’s question had a dangerous edge to it.‘No.’ Callie didn’t see the look on his face. ‘I don’t usually check on my patients this way. My work is in the operating theatre. Post-operative care is mostly done by the nurses.’That answer elicited a sigh of relief from Elias.‘But sometimes it’s unavoidable,’ Callie continued. ‘When I make my morning and afternoon rounds, I’d occasionally need to undre

‘Twenty-five?’ Marlon studied Callie intently once again. ‘I thought you were right out of college! At most twenty-one, twenty-two.’‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’ Callie smiled. ‘I’ve been out of college for a long while now. This is already my last year of medical residency.’‘Elias, you sly dog,’ Marlon muttered under his breath. ‘Marrying someone almost a decade younger than you...’Callie noticed the strange look in Marlon’s eyes as he scrutinised her. ‘What’s wrong?’‘Nothing.’ Marlon shook his head. ‘I’m just…happy for my friend. You two make a good match.’‘Um, thank you.’ Callie lowered her eyes bashfully.Marlon wanted to find out more about this intriguing woman, who would soon be part of his social circle. ‘I don’t know when you guys got engaged. You know how tight-lipped Elias can be. But I think we need to celebrate. How about this? After he’s discharged from the hospital, we’ll go for—’Before Marlon could finish his sentence, his phone rang, cutting him off.As he a

‘No, I wasn’t...’ Callie’s cheeks took on a faint pink hue, whether from the hot bath or her shyness, she couldn’t tell.Elias’s dark eyes narrowed, a fire burning within them. ‘Are you sure? Hmm?’As he spoke, his breath caressed her skin, and with a gentle tug, Callie’s body was drawn closer to him.No matter how she struggled, she found herself inching nearer and nearer to him.Soldiers...Weren’t they meant to be stoic, honourable men?This commanding, oddly irresistible Elias standing before her differed so greatly from the kind and principled soldier she had once envisioned.Before Callie could defend herself, Elias declared, ‘I think I’m ready for dessert now.’‘What?’ Callie barely had time to speak before Elias captured her lips in a heated and passionate kiss.The intensity of his kiss left Callie blushing, unable to resist his compelling presence.As he continued to ravish her with his lips, she surrendered, her body melting against his strong, powerful arms.Elias felt a p

Elias shot back, his voice cold and unwavering, ‘I don’t need someone who understands the military; I need someone who understands me. Callie does.’The tension in the room escalated as the two men faced off, neither willing to back down.Hershel’s displeasure grew as he saw the defiance in Elias’s eyes.‘Don’t be so hasty in your decision,’ Hershel warned. ‘Being a military wife is not an easy life. I’ve seen first-hand the toll it takes on families.’Elias’s resolve wavered for a moment, his mind racing with doubts.He hadn’t yet discussed the realities of military life with Callie, and the weight of Hershel’s words bore heavily on him.‘I know it’s not easy,’ Elias admitted, ‘but I believe in her, and I’m willing to face whatever challenges come our way. I won’t let fear dictate my choices.’Hershel’s frustration mounted, and he crossed his arms over his chest, trying to find a way to reach Elias. ‘I just want to protect you, Elias. I don’t want to see you make a decision you’ll re