Chapter 2

Chloe's POV

My mother was in critical condition? Fighting for her life in the ER?

The news hit me like a physical blow. The room spun, and I had to grab the doorframe just to keep from collapsing.

My transfer had just been denied. If I left my post without authorization, the disciplinary consequences would be catastrophic.

Panicking and desperate, I ran back to the payphone booth and punched in that familiar number once more.

This time, Caleb picked up himself.

"Caleb!" I choked out, my voice breaking into a sob. "My mom's in the ER—she's dying! Please, you have to help me get emergency leave. I need to see her..."

Years ago, my parents were dead set against me volunteering for this remote outpost. But because Caleb encouraged me, I broke their hearts and left anyway.

Back then, I genuinely believed it would only be for a single year. I thought we wouldn't be apart for long.

I never could have imagined that one year would turn into eight.

For eight whole years, I couldn't visit them. I couldn't be by their side. We were separated by thousands of miles.

If I could just get back, I wanted to apologize to them face-to-face and stay by their side to make up for lost time.

There was a heavy pause on the other end of the line.

Then, Caleb's predictably calm, detached voice shut me down. "I already know about your mother's condition. I'll make sure the best specialists are assigned to her case. You just stay put and do your job."

"No!" I panicked, my voice cracking. "Caleb, this isn't just a minor illness! She's in the ICU! This might be the last chance I ever get to see her alive..."

"I know," Caleb cut in, an edge of annoyance creeping into his voice. "But flying back won't change anything. The clinic out there needs you more."

I froze. I could practically hear something inside my chest shattering into dust.

I never imagined he could be this cruel and heartless while my mother was literally dying on an operating table.

Over the phone, Caleb's tone softened slightly, dripping with fake sincerity. "Chloe, nobody wants you back here sooner than I do. Your commanding officer already promised me you'll be transferred back next year without fail. But that only works if you don't abandon your post and don't break protocol."

Nobody wanted me back sooner than him?

It sounded like the sickest joke in the world. The person who wanted me gone the most was him!

Over the years, he strung me along with eight different "next years," feeding me false hope and keeping me trapped here like an idiot.

Did he really think I would believe in his pathetic "next year" ever again?

"Caleb," I said, my nerves stretched to the breaking point. My voice came out unnervingly quiet. "What am I to you? Really?"

A brief silence hung between us before he sighed with clear irritation. "Chloe, stop throwing a tantrum. Just follow the chain of command. Once your transfer clears next year, I'll fly out and bring you home myself."

Before I could say another word, a child's bright voice piped up in the background. "Daddy, you promised we were going to the aquarium! When are we leaving?"

"Right now, sweetheart."

A sharp click echoed, followed by a flat dial tone.

I stood there frozen, as if paralyzed by a curse. A bone-chilling cold sank deep into my marrow.

My mother was fighting for her life in an emergency room, and he wouldn't even let me say goodbye. Yet he had plenty of time to take Nicole and their daughter to the aquarium?

This was the man I loved for ten years? This was my best friend?

A wave of crushing despair turned into thousands of invisible knives, stabbing through my heart over and over again.

I didn't care about the rules anymore. A reckless, desperate idea took root in my mind.

I couldn't just sit here and do nothing. I had to go back. I had to see my mother one last time!

I turned on my heel and marched straight into the CO's office, slapping an application onto his desk.

The officer adjusted his glasses. When he read the header, he shot up out of his chair.

"Application for the International Peacekeeping Medical Corps? Dr. Taylor, are you out of your mind?! Do you have any idea where they send these teams? Active conflict zones! Language barriers, infectious diseases! It's a minimum two-year deployment, and—"

"Sir, I know the regulations," I interrupted, staring him down. "Volunteers for the international medical corps are entitled to a two-week emergency leave prior to deployment, and command provides assistance for urgent family crises. Isn't that correct?"

"Well... yes, that's standard procedure, but—"

"No buts, sir." I lifted my chin. My eyes were rimmed with red, but my gaze was rock solid. "My mother is in critical condition. This is the only legal, expedited way for me to get back to New York to see her. Please sign it."

The CO knew about my relationship with Caleb. He hesitated. "Have you discussed this with Mr. Miller?"

"My life," I said, my voice dead cold, "has nothing to do with him anymore."

By that afternoon, my deployment approval was signed and processed.

Along with it came an emergency two-week leave pass and a priority plane ticket to New York.

At sundown, I boarded the bus heading out of the base.