Love Hides In the Dust And Smoke

"Lena, I'm sorry for putting you through this. Once you go over there, you must protect yourself at all costs. Don't try to be a hero. I believe you'll be alright."

"When you come back, I'll propose to you. I promise I won't let you down for the rest of my life."

I simply let out a cold laugh and turned to meet his gaze.

Half a month ago, those same beautiful eyes had looked at me with utmost sincerity as he said:

"After this mission is over, I'll take you home to meet my parents. Then I'll leave the aid organization, and we'll live a peaceful life together."

Under the intense moonlight, we had shared a passionate kiss. I truly loved him to my very core.

But in just two weeks, Grace had effortlessly stolen his heart.

My years as his comrade-in-arms, facing life and death together, couldn't compare to Grace's seductive glances and tending to his wounds once.

She drew a heart on his bandage, and just like that, Nolan was bewitched.

I looked at him and spoke coldly.

"Nolan, don't bother proposing to me."

"I don't love you anymore."

With that, I strode towards the armed organization's camp.

Both sides were in a tense standoff, weapons at the ready, closely watching each other's movements.

I walked to the midpoint, where the armed personnel escorting Grace also stood.

Grace sobbed uncontrollably, crying out to Nolan:

"Nolan, I was so scared. Thank goodness you saved me."

However, Nolan called out my name instead:

"Lena, don't say such hurtful things. You know I love you."

"It's just that this time, I really had no choice."

I didn't respond to him anymore as the armed group had already restrained my hands.

The hostage exchange was completed, and I returned to the dark hellhole of my previous life.

The familiar stench of decay hit me once again, making me instinctively nauseous.

Unlike last time when I was drugged and brought here unconscious, I now had more control over the situation.

"If you harm me, the ransom will decrease. If I die, you'll end up with nothing."

Seeing Nolan's attitude earlier, the leader of the armed group showed a hint of caution.

After all, hurting a soldier from an aid organization wouldn't benefit them much in their country's conflict.

But money was truly useful.

Even without physical torture, they could still make me suffer immensely.

For two days and nights, they didn't let me close my eyes.

Whenever I showed signs of drowsiness, they'd shock me with electric batons.

They wouldn't let me sit or lie down, forcibly keeping me in a half-squatting position.

I was on the verge of a mental breakdown, but I was still grateful that my worst fear hadn't come true.

Two days later, my childhood sweetheart from the aid organization arrived, bringing with him five million dollars in cash prepared by my birth parents.

It was the same phone call, but Kael's attitude had changed.

"Lena, hang in there a little longer, we're on our way."

"The Montgomery Parents struggled to raise the money to rescue you this time. You can't forget their sacrifice; they just want you and your sister to get along well."

"Grace hasn't been able to eat for days because she's so worried about you. She's woken up from nightmares several times and can't settle down. We all care about you deeply. There's no misunderstanding that can't be resolved. Don't hate her anymore, okay?"

I suppressed the intense hatred in my heart and replied:

"I understand."

Kael seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

"You've always been sensible since you were little, we all know that."

As the call ended, the leader of the armed group narrowed his eyes and scanned me back and forth.

The familiar gaze instinctively sent chills down my spine.