Chapter 3

Hunter poured two cups of hot water, staring grimly at the rising steam.

I didn't touch my cup. "You sit for a bit, I'll be back after a short walk."

He didn't move, as if I were invisible.

I slowly walked downstairs, along the shade of the trees, and met Veronica at the corner.

I couldn't be bothered to argue with her and tried to walk past, but then I heard her say:

"Chloe Anderson, you won, you must be very happy, right?"

I paused. She walked in front of me, her eyes glinting with jealousy:

"I turned Hunter down for an undercover mission. Congratulations, you swooped in at just the right moment and snagged him."

My heart gave a painful lurch, but I calmly looked at her:

"And then?"

She slightly lifted her chin, haughty and sharp.

"You're just a thief. I'm back now. Do you think Hunter will file for divorce?"

Her eyes were full of jealousy and obsession. My desire to argue vanished. I just curled my lips into a small smile:

"Veronica, you're supposed to be a hero, protecting people. Are you really going to play the role of a mistress, hiding in the shadows? Hunter and I are bound by military marriage, which isn't something you just casually break!"

Veronica’s face went white, and she stepped back, her lips trembling as she said:

"Who was here first? Who's the real mistress?!"

"The law decides that."

I calmly walked past her and left.

Back home, the living room was empty.

I quickly called out Hunter's name, opening one room after another.

He wasn't in any of them.

When I reached the window, I finally saw Hunter.

At some point, he had also gone downstairs and was standing by a tree, one hand gently placed on Veronica's shoulder.

No one else was around. I don't know if he heard my calls from upstairs, or if he was just hesitating, but he eventually embraced Veronica.

And Veronica, she hugged him back and looked up.

They kissed passionately again, just like they had by the lake a few days earlier.

The scene pierced my eyes and heart.

I stumbled back, gasping for air, overwhelmed with pain.

A long time passed. When dinner time came, Hunter finally returned.

"Honey, you haven't cooked? Never mind, your health is more important now that you're pregnant. How about we go out to eat?"

I looked up at him and asked softly:

"Eating out, how luxurious... Is it out of guilt?"

His gaze faltered, and he frowned, raising his voice:

"You're overthinking again! I told you, there's nothing going on between Veronica and me!"

He walked over and pulled me to my feet.

"Don't worry about it. You're eating for two now, can't go hungry."

His hand was still so warm, but it could no longer warm me.

We walked in silence to the intersection, where we ran into a group of women gossiping about Veronica:

"Veronica, wasn't it you that Commander Stone jumped into the lake to save? How did CPR turn into kissing?"

"Doing such disgusting things in broad daylight, so shameless! Our Hunter is a married man!"

"Interfering with a military marriage is a serious offense, Veronica. Have you considered the consequences?"

One accusation after another, Veronica was surrounded and her eyes slowly welled up. Hunter couldn't stand it. He let go of me and walked over.

He stood in front of Veronica, earnestly refuting them:

"Ladies, don't believe the rumors! Veronica accidentally fell into the water, and it was my duty to save her. Spreading false rumors about military personnel is a serious matter and could have consequences!"

The women's faces turned awkward, while Hunter gently protected Veronica, escorting her home.

He left me standing there alone, watching their retreating figures walking hand-in-hand.

Why was the late spring wind still so biting?

After a long time, I woodenly went upstairs and made myself a bowl of noodles.

"You said you were saving her, fine. But why were you hugging and kissing Veronica right outside our building? Do you think everyone else is blind?!"

Eleanor Stone glared at her son, furious and disappointed, and slapped the coffee table.

"Hunter Stone, have you lost your mind?!"

Hunter sat opposite her, his military uniform crisp, his face calm.

"I've already notified people to clarify things. A few arrests for spreading rumors, and things will quiet down."

"Is that the point?" Eleanor pointed at me and continued,

"Your wife is pregnant! You talked about taking her out to dinner, but the moment you see Veronica, you've apparently lost your appetite and abandoned your pregnant wife to escort her home?!"