A Wedding Night Gone Terribly Wrong novel Chapter 246

Winifred ignored him. As far as she was concerned, he was just another one of Holden's lackeys.

At that moment, three figures dressed in olive green appeared on the trail.

Huh?

Burt immediately tucked his shovel under his arm, hopping over the scattered yellow mud to hurry across the clean pavement to greet them.

"And you gentlemen are...?"

The new arrivals were three men in military uniforms. The man in the lead had an incredibly striking presence, his posture standing taller and straighter than the pine trees around him.

"Milo Sterling. I'm a local from Emerald Town. I came specifically to pay my respects to Dr. Shultz."

"Oh! Right this way, please."

Three shadows stretched across the ground, falling over Winifred. She stood up, turning her gaze toward the men.

Beside her stood a man with a sun-weathered, ruddy complexion, thick eyebrows, and sharp, intelligent eyes. His facial features were rugged and chiseled, exuding the intimidating aura of a hardened soldier.

"Winifred?!"

The man's eyes immediately lit up. He flashed a wide smile, revealing two rows of perfectly white teeth, his tough exterior suddenly softening with a profound, gentle warmth.

It was the literal embodiment of a tough guy with a soft heart.

"You are...?"

"Milo Sterling. You were only eight years old when I enlisted. I came back to visit the year I was awarded a commendation... you were nineteen then."

"Oh." She lowered her eyes.

He was so enthusiastic, but she had absolutely no memory of him.

At eight, she was too young, easily forgetting passing faces. And at nineteen, she was painfully naive—her entire world had revolved solely around Holden. She never saw anyone else.

"Do you remember calling me Sticks?" Milo chuckled.

Winifred couldn't help but smile. "It's you!"

Memories finally pulled back their curtains, allowing the past to drift into her mind...

"...I'm so sorry."

Milo smiled gently. "What about you? How have you been all these years?"

Winifred glanced at her grandfather's headstone. "I'm doing well. Just came back to see Grandpa today."

"Me too. I recently got transferred from the border to Kingsbridge. I had some business to handle back home, so I made time to come see Dr. Shultz."

Winifred noticed the two younger soldiers standing behind him. They looked to be in their early twenties. While Milo spoke with her, the two young men remained standing at strict attention.

It occurred to her that Milo was probably a high-ranking officer now, considering he traveled with a security detail.

She didn't know much about military protocol, but feeling the conversation had reached a natural conclusion, she prepared to leave.

"I'll walk you," Milo offered.

She looked up at him. "There's no need."

Her eyes quickly swept past his neck, catching sight of a fresh scar near his collar. Drawing on her years of clinical experience, she instantly judged that he had suffered a severe injury within the last three months.