All eyes followed the sound. Standing in the doorway was a tall, lean man, his gaze steady and composed behind a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.

He was still in his crisp, white lab coat, clearly having rushed over straight from the research facility.

When our eyes met, I blinked, momentarily caught off guard.

He offered a faint, gentle smile. "Genevieve, let’s go home."

A ripple of hushed whispers surged through the room.

"Isn't that the lead engineer from the military research division? The youngest one they've ever had?"

"So he’s the journalist’s fiancé? What a perfect couple!"

I stood up and offered a polite nod to the room. "Forgive me, I have to step away."

From the moment I turned my back, I could feel a piercing, heavy stare burning into my skin, but I didn't look back.

Just as I reached the exit of the banquet hall, Roman’s voice sliced through the air like a blade. "Genevieve Hunter!"

I slowed my pace, pausing just long enough to glance over my shoulder. "Is there something else, General Armstrong?"

His expression was thunderous, his dark eyes swirling with barely contained rage.

Sabrina stepped forward, flashing me a saccharine smile. "My promotion ceremony is starting shortly. General Armstrong is coming to celebrate with me—won't you join us, Genevieve?"

I cast a fleeting look at Roman, who remained deathly silent, then shook my head. "No, thank you. Congratulations on the promotion, but I have other matters to attend to."

Without another word, I walked out.

I felt his gaze trailing me, sharp enough to draw blood, until I finally slipped into the passenger seat of the Jeep and the engine roared to life, shielding me from his view.

I buckled my seatbelt and turned to the driver. "Thank you, William."

William Graham shifted the car into gear, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Don't mention it. I was finishing up at the lab and happened to be passing by."

I offered a polite smile, choosing not to pry. He, too, was perceptive enough to keep the silence, merely asking, "Where to? I'll drop you off."

I gave him the address.

The drive was short. Before I stepped out of the car, William pulled out his phone.

"Let's exchange contact info."

I paused for a second, then he chuckled softly. "In case you ever need a favor—or a getaway driver."

I nodded, scanning his QR code to sync our messages.

I turned and walked into the apartment complex. It was the home Roman and I had applied for when we first married. It wasn't large, but it held seven years of my life—years filled with anticipation and quiet joy. Back when duty allowed, we used to sit in the living room, debating the latest headlines and analyzing the shifting political tides.

But now, Roman rarely stepped foot here.

As soon as I walked through the door, my phone erupted in a frenzy of notifications. It was a call from Joseph, our editor-in-chief.

"Genevieve! Drop everything and get on the military internal forum right now!"