Chapter 3

Chapter 3

That evening, when I limped back to the military residential compound, the courtyard was buzzing with laughter.

Everyone had gathered around a bonfire, teasing Silas and Nora who were sitting in the center like royalty.

The other kids we grew up with shot me mocking, knowing looks.

Someone called out, "Hey Chloe, want to join the party?"

I knew they just wanted front-row seats to watch Silas humiliate me again.

Without a word, I walked straight into my house, shut the door, and locked out the noise.

I dialed my phone. "Dr. Whitman, I'm in. I'll join the medical research project."

Silas and I both came from military families; my late father had been his father's most trusted subordinate.

Growing up, I followed my father's example and protected Silas with everything I had.

Unfortunately, on a mission years ago, my father contracted a rare, incurable disease while saving General Montgomery, eventually losing his life.

That sacrifice was the exact reason I chose to study medicine in college.

Dr. Whitman happened to be my father's long-lost comrade.

When he learned of my father's death, he took me under his wing and offered me every elite opportunity.

Before, I never dared to accept this project because I couldn't bear to leave Silas behind.

Now, I was ready.

Silas didn't need me, and lingering around would only turn me into a bigger joke.

This classified project was my ticket to an entirely new life.

Dr. Whitman replied instantly, "Wonderful! I'm so glad you decided to go! Tonight was the final deadline―I was just about to beg the board for an extension on your behalf."

I let out a soft laugh, though tears blurred my eyes.

Silas and I had shared twenty-four years of life and nine years of complicated romance.

Yet it took only four days for me to walk away without a single regret.

When Silas and Nora officially announced their engagement on social media, I was packing my bags for Washington, D.C.

Dr. Whitman texted me to pack warm clothes since the capital was much colder in the winter.

As I finished zipping my suitcase, my phone blew up with notifications about Silas, but I didn't open a single one.

Mom knocked and stepped into my room. "Sweetheart, the Montgomerys invited us to dinner. They said there's a big announcement."

I was surprised, but figured I could attend the dinner before heading to the airport.

When we arrived at the private dining room, General Montgomery and his wife were chatting warmly with another couple I didn't recognize.

Everyone smiled and ushered us to sit down.

A moment later, the door opened, and Silas walked in hand-in-hand with Nora.

The unfamiliar couple immediately waved happily. "Nora, darling! You're finally here!"

Mom froze in shock, exchanging an uncomfortable look with Silas's parents.

Silas's face darkened the second he saw me, and he barked, "Chloe, did you show up on purpose? Did you hear that Nora and I were meeting each other's parents to announce our engagement, and came here to throw another tantrum?"

I shrugged calmly. "I had no idea. I'm just here to have dinner with my mom."

Mrs. Montgomery quickly intervened. "Yes, Silas, I invited them. Don't be rude."

Before Silas could snap, Nora wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "It's fine, Silas told me Chloe is like family to him. Since she's family, she might as well know that we're getting married."

Mom's face turned completely cold. "Silas Montgomery, is this how you treat my daughter?"

The room went dead quiet.

Nora's mother chimed in defensively, "What's that supposed to mean? My daughter told me your daughter has been clinging to Silas like a leech."

Mom slammed her hands on the table and stood up. "You have no right to speak here!"

I gently pulled my mom back down. "Mom, Silas and I broke up days ago. And I'm not staying anyway―I have a flight to D.C. tonight."

Mom looked at me in disbelief and whispered, "Sweetheart, what are you talking about...?"

I squeezed her hand and shook my head, but Nora cut in with a saccharine smile.

"Chloe, you've looked after Silas for years like an older sister. I'd really love your blessing."

I looked up at Silas.

He was wearing a sharp, custom red suit―a level of effort I had never seen from him before.

He was completely unfamiliar to me now.

Yet my heart didn't ache; it was strangely serene.

"Then I wish you two a long, happy life together," I said evenly. "May you never part."

Suddenly, a few of Silas's friends burst through the door, popping party poppers over their heads.

"Woohoo! Congrats to the happy couple!"

One of them froze when he noticed me sitting at the table.

"Seriously, Chloe? They're getting married and you still showed up to ruin it?"

He turned to Silas with an apologetic grin. "We tried to keep the announcement quiet from her, but someone must have leaked it. Still, you and Nora are clearly in love―she's got some nerve coming here."

With every word, they painted me as the bitter, desperate ex.

Silas sighed with heavy irritation, rubbing his temples. "I knew you couldn't stay in your lane. Get the hell out."

His friends crowded around my chair, snatching my handbag to search it.

"Did she bring some cheesy gift to win him back?"

"Don't tell me she's planning proposal number one hundred!"

They roared with laughter.

Ninety-nine proposals... half of which were just desperate attempts to make Silas smile.

For three years, I had charged forward like an idiot, refusing to give up.

Mom's eyes turned red with fury. "Get your hands off her bag!"

Ignoring her, one of the guys pulled out the classified non-disclosure agreement I had signed for the project.

He waved it around like a trophy, laughing mockingly. "Look at this! She claims she's joining a top-secret medical research project for ten years! Is she trying to threaten Silas by saying she'll disappear forever?"

I took a steady breath, my voice calm and steady.

"Silas, your family works closely with Dr. Whitman. You know better than anyone whether that official seal is real."

Silas opened his mouth to mock me, but as his eyes scanned the official military and state seals on the document, the color drained from his face.

His hands began to shake, and his eyes turned red as he stared at me.

"Chloe... are you serious?"