Chapter 13 - The Assignment
The assignment meant greater responsibility.
It also meant leaving for several months before returning.
Old Claire would have immediately wondered what Ethan thought.
New Claire asked whether I wanted it.
I did.
I accepted.
Marjorie heard through Rebecca.
She sent one text.
Congratulations, Colonel Bennett. You earned it.
No heart.
No apology.
No attempt to restart a relationship.
Perfect.
I replied:
Thank you.
Harold sent a photograph several days later.
Three spice containers.
He had apparently bought replacements for himself.
Turns out these are good.
I laughed so hard I nearly spilled my coffee.
Life was becoming ordinary again.
Ordinary was underrated.
Then, two weeks before departure, I found a package on my porch.
No return address.
Inside was my old wedding photograph.
For one second, I thought Ethan had sent it.
Then I turned it over.
A note was taped to the back.
You should know he kept one more secret.
My stomach dropped.
May you like
Not again.
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