Chapter 2

Dorothy's thoughts drifted back to Scott. The Bennett and Reed families had once ruled Northbridge side by side, but as time passed, the Reeds fell from grace while the Bennetts stayed on top.

Despite everything, the bond between them, forged over more than a decade, had held strong.

When Dorothy decided to join the police academy, she sat Scott down on a rainy night and told him it was over.

But Scott wasn't ready to let her go. He swore he'd turn his life around, leave his old ways behind, and become a legitimate businessman.

"Your eyes are so pure," he had said. "They shouldn't be stained by anything dark." He begged for another chance, promising he'd prove he could keep his word.

Dorothy was completely won over. But with their complicated social backgrounds, they decided to marry in secret abroad, hiding their relationship from the world.

Dorothy stared at the candid photos in the file. It was another rainy night. Scott was holding his coat over June's head, shielding her from the rain, pressing her against a wall as he kissed her.

The man in those photos looked like a stranger compared to the Scott she thought she knew.

With her, he had been gentle, restrained, careful. Distant, even. But with June, he was fierce and overwhelming, his passion on display for the world to see.

*****

Dorothy had been up all night, and by the time the first light of dawn crept in, she was running on empty. She dragged herself out of the station, her mind still tangled up in everything with June.

She crossed several streets without thinking, until the sharp screech of tires jolted her back to the moment. Then came a loud crash. A crowd quickly gathered. There had been an accident.

Her senses went on high alert. Dorothy pushed through the crowd, flashed her badge, and called out, "Police! Don't block the scene. Everyone, move back."

"Oh God, blood!" That familiar scream snapped Dorothy's attention. She spun around and saw Scott and June.

Scott was sprawled on the ground, blood everywhere, while June stood frozen, horror written all over her face. He had thrown himself in front of her, taking the impact head-on.

"Scott, wake up! I didn't mean to fight with you, please. Don't do this to me," June sobbed. "Officer, help. Please, save him."

June's hands were slick with Scott's blood as she grabbed Dorothy's uniform. Her fingers trembled as she cradled Scott's face, leaning in, desperately listening for a heartbeat.

It wasn't that June didn't love Scott. She was playing hard to get. The thrill of the chase, running and chasing each other. That was what real love looked like.

Dorothy suddenly remembered all the times she had gotten hurt catching criminals. Scott would always show up with the first aid kit, quietly telling her, "Take care of yourself."

She always told herself. Business was ruthless. There were always loose ends. And she kept telling herself she should be the understanding one.

As Dorothy helped clear the area and keep things under control while waiting for the traffic cops, she called 911 for an ambulance.

She watched as June's makeup ran with her tears, clinging desperately to Scott's hand, refusing to let go, and rode with him in the ambulance.

In that moment, Dorothy realized she needed to leave this marriage.

In her mind, Scott was like someone living at the peak of a pyramid. He was so noble, so self-assured that it seemed impossible for him to ever fall from his pedestal.

But the truth was, he could throw his life away in a heartbeat. Only, the person he would do it for wasn't her.

Instead of heading home to rest, Dorothy went straight back to headquarters. "Chief Mason, I want to apply for an overseas assignment," she said.

Thalia Mason, sharp as ever behind her computer, looked up with a frown. "Dorothy, you merely got back. Now you're thinking of leaving again?

"You'd better be sure about this. Once you're stationed abroad, you can't come back whenever you feel like it. You'll be there for at least five years."

"Chief, I'm sure. I can handle it," Dorothy said without missing a beat.

Thalia felt a strange sense of unease. She glanced up and saw Dorothy's face pale, her lips drained of color, and the ring she used to wear around her neck was nowhere to be seen.

She could not quite put her finger on it, but as a fellow woman, she sensed something deeper was going on. After hesitating for a moment, she finally said, "All right, we'll set up your transfer for next week. Details to follow."

Dorothy turned and walked out, greeted her colleagues, and checked in for work. Before she could catch her breath, another case file landed on her desk. It was a kidnapping in Southgate.

After the morning meeting, Dorothy noticed a bunch of messages from Scott on her phone. She had not even had time to check them before her phone lit up with his call.

"Dorothy, sorry. I ran into some trouble. I was going to take you out to celebrate your return today, but I don't think I can make it," Scott said.

"It's fine," Dorothy interrupted, sniffing quietly.

Just then, a colleague tapped her on the shoulder, letting her know she needed to head out right away.

"Sorry, it's my fault. I'm too busy," Dorothy said and hung up quickly, afraid that the sour feeling in her chest would drown her if she lingered any longer.