Chapter 4 · After Twenty Years of Sacrifice

Chapter 4

After a long, bumpy ride, hopping from one vehicle to another, I finally made it to the military base sitting right on the edge of the steamy Southeast Asian jungle.

The vibe here was grim and intense, with the air heavy with the scents of earth, sweat, and cold steel.

My arrival definitely turned a few heads around the camp.

Everyone was whispering about Michael Carter's country bumpkin "widow" who'd just shown up.

I was dressed in simple, even frumpy clothes, totally out of place among the female soldiers and entertainment troupe members here; even in uniform, their beauty still turned heads.

I was temporarily settled in a guest house, waiting for the arrangements to see Michael's so-called "remains."

Just as I was unpacking, there was a knock at the door.

I opened it to find a woman standing there, dressed in a flashy stage costume, her figure graceful and her looks undeniably alluring.

Her skin was pale, and her eyes were soft and inviting. When she looked at people, there was a hint of warmth, but mostly she was sizing them up.

It was Olivia.

She gave me a quick once-over, a flicker of barely-hidden contempt in her eyes before she slipped on just the right amount of sorrow and sympathy. "You must be Emma, right?

"I'm Olivia from the entertainment troupe. I used to know Mr. Carter. We're all really sorry to hear about what happened. I hope you can stay strong."

Her voice was soft and sweet, but she sounded just a little too pleased with herself.

I stared at her, my face blank. Here we go.

"Thanks for your concern, Ms. Reed," I replied with a flat tone, stepping aside to let her in.

With a flat response, I stepped aside to let her in.

Olivia walked in, her eyes drifting over my cramped little pile of luggage like she barely noticed. She sighed. "It's such a shame about Mr. Carter; he was such an outstanding man.

"Emma, it must've been rough coming all the way from the sticks, huh? The conditions here are pretty tough, and the climate's hot and humid. Hope you can handle it."

She made it sound like she cared, but really, she was pointing out I was a country girl who didn't belong here with people like Michael.

"I'm used to hard work. Nothing here can bother me," I replied evenly.

I kept making the bed, not giving her the reaction she wanted.

Olivia faltered for a moment, then put on a show of concern. "Emma, I don't know if I should say this, but Mr. Carter always had his family on his mind, especially his mother.

He used to tell me he felt guilty for leaving you at home to care for his mom; it must've been hard on you. Now that he's gone, don't let it weigh you down. Life is long; you should think about your own future."

Chapter 4

After a long, bumpy ride, hopping from one vehicle to another, I finally made it to the military base sitting right on the edge of the steamy Southeast Asian jungle.

The vibe here was grim and intense, with the air heavy with the scents of earth, sweat, and cold steel.

My arrival definitely turned a few heads around the camp.

Everyone was whispering about Michael Carter's country bumpkin "widow" who'd just shown up.

I was dressed in simple, even frumpy clothes, totally out of place among the female soldiers and entertainment troupe members here; even in uniform, their beauty still turned heads.

I was temporarily settled in a guest house, waiting for the arrangements to see Michael's so-called "remains."

Just as I was unpacking, there was a knock at the door.

I opened it to find a woman standing there, dressed in a flashy stage costume, her figure graceful and her looks undeniably alluring.

Her skin was pale, and her eyes were soft and inviting. When she looked at people, there was a hint of warmth, but mostly she was sizing them up.

It was Olivia.

She gave me a quick once-over, a flicker of barely-hidden contempt in her eyes before she slipped on just the right amount of sorrow and sympathy. "You must be Emma, right?

"I'm Olivia from the entertainment troupe. I used to know Mr. Carter. We're all really sorry to hear about what happened. I hope you can stay strong."

Her voice was soft and sweet, but she sounded just a little too pleased with herself.

I stared at her, my face blank. Here we go.

"Thanks for your concern, Ms. Reed," I replied with a flat tone, stepping aside to let her in.

With a flat response, I stepped aside to let her in.

Olivia walked in, her eyes drifting over my cramped little pile of luggage like she barely noticed. She sighed. "It's such a shame about Mr. Carter; he was such an outstanding man.

"Emma, it must've been rough coming all the way from the sticks, huh? The conditions here are pretty tough, and the climate's hot and humid. Hope you can handle it."

She made it sound like she cared, but really, she was pointing out I was a country girl who didn't belong here with people like Michael.

"I'm used to hard work. Nothing here can bother me," I replied evenly.

I kept making the bed, not giving her the reaction she wanted.

Olivia faltered for a moment, then put on a show of concern. "Emma, I don't know if I should say this, but Mr. Carter always had his family on his mind, especially his mother.