Chapter 201

The rescue chopper located Evelyn without difficulty and airlifted her back to Aldenrian military headquarters.

Sleep eluded her completely that night. Dawn arrived with still no sign of Liam's return.

Each passing hour twisted her stomach tighter. She paced like a caged animal, whispering desperate prayers for his safety.

As morning light spilled across the compound, Evelyn curled up by the main gates. Her tear-filled eyes scanned the empty road stretching toward the horizon.

Ryan observed her from a distance. The raw emotion in her posture confused him - how could someone so clearly in love insist on divorce?

"Mrs. Blackwood," he approached gently, "you haven't eaten anything all day."

Her gaze remained locked on the distance. A single tear traced her cheek as she shook her head.

"I can't."

"Please don't worry. The General can handle himself."

Evelyn whirled around with bloodshot eyes. "Then send someone after him! I'm begging you, Ryan!"

His face contorted with conflict. "Our orders are absolute. Aldenrian forces can't enter Valtorian territory without risking war."

"What about Liam?" She gripped his arms until her knuckles turned white.

"The mercenary team remains with him. And General Blackwood has survived worse situations."

Evelyn collapsed onto the steps, burying her face in her hands as silent sobs wracked her body.

Two endless days passed without word. Exhaustion carved hollows beneath her eyes, but terror kept sleep at bay.

Then - a midnight knock shattered the silence.

She nearly fell scrambling to the door. Ryan stood there, face unreadable.

"Mrs. Blackwood... he's back."

Life flooded her veins. "Where? Is he hurt? Take me to him now!"

"The military hospital."

Her heart stopped. She was running before he finished speaking, bare feet slapping against cold concrete.

The hospital door burst open under her frantic hands.

There - shirtless on the examination table, being stitched up by a medic - sat Liam. Whole. Alive.

Their eyes met across the sterile room. In that suspended moment, a thousand unspoken words passed between them.

Evelyn pressed trembling fingers to her lips. The relief nearly buckled her knees.

"Why the tears?" His voice, though hoarse, wrapped around her like a warm blanket.

She couldn't answer. Not with the sight of those brutal gashes marring his torso.

The doctor finished bandaging and turned to her. "The wounds aren't life-threatening, but they're serious. Stitches need redressing daily - no water contact. He requires complete rest and these antibiotics."

Evelyn nodded mechanically, her entire world narrowed to the man before her. Alive. Home. Hers.