Chapter 330
[ 464 words ]
Chapter 330:
The information didn’t land as a joke. Instead, it solidified the cold knot of dread in her stomach. The image of the laughing woman, Elena, flashed in her mind. His celibacy wasn’t a quirk; it was a memorial.
Her lips formed a tight, strained line as she forced a nod, unable to produce the lighthearted reaction Evelyn clearly expected.
Evelyn grinned, winking at her before turning and marching back toward Trauma Bay Alpha.
Caroline wiped an imaginary speck of dust from her eye, turning to face K. C. Bell, who looked deeply, profoundly unamused.
K. C. cleared his throat loudly, a sharp, disapproving sound, and gestured with rigid military precision toward the exit.
Caroline followed him out of the medical building, stepping into the crisp, cold mountain air.
The walk back to the officer’s quarters was silent. The momentary feeling of camaraderie with the doctor slowly faded as she walked, leaving her alone with her thoughts once more.
𝖶е𝖾𝘬𝘭у 𝗋𝗲𝗅eаs𝗲s о𝗻 𝗴𝗮l𝗇𝘰v𝖾𝗹ѕ.с𝗈𝘮
As her mind quieted, the toxic seed of Elena that had been temporarily suppressed began to sprout again.
If he had been completely celibate for five years, did that mean he was still mourning the woman in the photograph?
The thought hit her like a cold splash of water, instantly draining the joy from her chest and replacing it with a familiar, icy dread.
They arrived at the heavy steel door of Jarrod’s private quarters. K. C. swiped his clearance card.
The lock chimed. K. C. pushed the door open, stepping aside to let her enter.
Caroline stepped inside, expecting to see Jarrod’s massive frame bent over the desk or waiting for her on the bed.
The room was completely empty. The bed was made with sharp military corners, and his tactical gear was gone.
K. C. informed her stiffly, “The Colonel is currently in the command center dealing with the fallout from his sudden return.”
He advised her to rest and stated he would be stationed outside the door if she needed anything.
The heavy door clicked shut, the electronic lock engaging, sealing her inside the silent, stark room.
Caroline stood in the center of the room, the absolute silence ringing in her ears.
She looked at the desk, knowing exactly what was hidden inside the small, concealed compartment. The ghost of Elena.
A profound, aching sense of loneliness washed over her, heavier than any physical exhaustion.
She realized that without his physical presence to anchor her, her insecurities were tearing her apart.
She forced her eyes away from the desk. She needed to wash the smell of the hospital off her skin.
She walked toward the small en-suite bathroom, turning the shower to the hottest possible setting.
She stripped off the medical scrubs and stepped into the billowing steam, hoping the scalding water could wash away the ghost of Elena.
The scalding water shut off, leaving the small bathroom filled with thick, suffocating steam.
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