Fiancé's Return with a Wife

The next morning, I arrived at my office earlier than usual. The sanctuary was already buzzing with activity—people whispering about Kane's return, speculating about what it meant for our leadership structure. I closed my door firmly behind me, sealing myself in the small space that had been my sanctuary within a sanctuary.

My fingers hovered over the security panel as I entered the new passcode—one I'd changed the moment Kane had appeared with Christina on his arm. The old code, our anniversary date, was gone. Just like the future we'd planned.

A soft beep signaled someone trying to access my office. I knew who it was before the security system announced his presence.

"Skye?" Kane's voice came through the intercom, tentative. "Can we talk?"

I silenced the system without responding. Seconds later, a harsher beep indicated he was attempting to override—using our old emergency access code.

Enough.

I yanked the door open. Kane stood there, his hand still raised toward the keypad, surprise flickering across his face.

"The passcode is 4729," I said flatly. "It's been changed."

His eyes searched mine, looking for something—pain, anger, anything that resembled the woman who had waited for him for a year. He found only cool professionalism.

"Skye, please," he began, his voice cracking slightly. "I need to explain what happened. After the rescue mission, I suffered memory loss. Christina found me, helped me recover—"

"Your quarters are in section C, rooms 12 and 13," I interrupted, handing him a printed schedule. "You're assigned to patrol duty starting tomorrow. Report to Lieutenant Reeves for assignment details."

Kane stared at the paper in his hand, confusion evident. "Patrol duty? Skye, I'm your second-in-command."

"You were," I corrected him, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest. "For a year, you abandoned your post without communication. The council has reassigned your position."

"But we're—" he started, then stopped himself. "We need to talk about this."

"There's nothing to discuss," I said, stepping back into my office. "You're welcome to stay in Sanctuary Alpha as long as you follow our protocols."

As I closed the door, I caught sight of Christina watching from down the hall, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Our eyes met briefly before I shut her out—along with the man I once thought I'd spend my life with.

---

Three days later, I called a general assembly in the main courtyard. The entire sanctuary gathered, murmuring among themselves about what the announcement might be.

Kane stood in the front row, his posture rigid with anticipation. I could almost see the hope radiating from him—the belief that I would announce his return to leadership, that everything would go back to the way it was.

I took the podium, surveying the faces before me.

"For the past year, Sanctuary Alpha has stood alone," I began, my voice carrying across the hushed crowd. "Today, that changes."

The gates opened behind me, and Grayson Lawrence entered with his diplomatic entourage. Gasps and whispers rippled through the assembly.

"I am pleased to announce a permanent alliance with Sanctuary Beta," I continued, gesturing for Grayson to join me. "This alliance will strengthen both our communities and ensure greater security against the zombie threat."

Grayson stepped forward, his presence solid and reassuring beside me.

"To seal this alliance," I said, meeting his gaze briefly before addressing the crowd again, "I have accepted Grayson's proposal of marriage. The ceremony will take place in one month."

The crowd erupted in cheers. Stronger defenses, more resources, better chances of survival—they understood what this meant for our future.

I risked a glance at Kane. The color had drained from his face, his mouth slightly open in shock. For a moment, our eyes locked, and I saw the exact second he realized what I'd done.

I hadn't spent the year mourning him. I'd spent it securing our people's future—and replacing him.

---

"Is this really necessary?" Christina's voice dripped with false sweetness as she blocked my path in the cafeteria. "These quarters are so... basic."

I stepped around her, but she shifted to follow me.

"And the food," she continued, placing a protective hand over her swollen belly. "It's so bland. What did you used to feed Kane? I want him to be comfortable."

I kept my expression neutral as I filled my tray with rationed portions.

"I just want to make him happy," she sighed dramatically. "You understand, don't you? Since you kept him warm until he found his true soulmate."

The cafeteria had grown quiet, others pretending not to listen while hanging on every word.

"I'm sure you'll figure it out," I replied evenly, moving past her toward an empty table.

Later that night, alone in my quarters, I gripped my datapad so tightly that the screen cracked under my fingers—a spiderweb of fractures spreading across the display.

I didn't cry. I hadn't cried since the night Kane left.

But as I stared at the broken screen reflecting my face back at me, I wondered how much more pressure I could take before I shattered too.