Twenty-Six receipts of betrayal Novel novel Chapter 29

Chapter 2

[@Garrett Reid: Official introduction–my girl. @Scarlett Morgan]

[@Scarlett Morgan: Here’s to forever, Captain

I thought coming back meant I’d be ready.

But seeing those words still felt like someone shoved a knife between: my ribs.

Five years dating. Five years married. Ten years I waited for him to claim me publicly.

And he just handed it to someone else.

Dr. Patel’s voice crackled through the phone, furious:

“Everyone’s saying YOU’RE the homewrecker now! He’s using this to clear Scarlett’s name!”

“This is insane! You’re his legal WIFE, Wren-”

“Doc.”

I cut her off. “When’s my visa ready?”

Silence on the other end, then: “…You’re really doing this? Giving up your position at Walter Reed to go overseas?”

I stared out at the North Carolina sky.

Ten years ago, I turned down my acceptance to Cambridge so Garrett could chase his dreams without worrying about me.

Now? I won’t let him derail my life again.

Garrett and I grew up together on the same base. Army brats. Childhood sweethearts, all that.

My parents died in a training accident when I was six. I got quiet after that. Jumpy. Lived with my aunt who didn’t really want me. Other kids figured out fast I was an easy target.

Garrett always stepped in–protected me. Fought for me.

Until his parents got killed on a peacekeeping mission in Yemen. Until he took shrapnel to the chest covering a squadmate during a live–fire exercise.

I didn’t sleep for three days. Just sat by his hospital bed.

We were all each other had.

At eighteen, I got my acceptance to Cambridge–full ride, pre–med track. Dream school.

That night, Garrett didn’t say a word. Just held my hand, eyes red, until the sun came up.

Next morning, I turned it down. Applied to transfer to a field hospital unit near the Afghan border instead.

If he was gonna throw himself into danger. I’d be there to pull him back out.

16:33 D

Twenty Six Receipts of Betrayal: My Silence Was the Countdown to His Eternal Regret

26.9%

Chapter 2

Border rotations were brutal. Forty–eight–hour shifts. Patching up soldiers while mortars hit a hundred yards out.

Finally, I earned a commendation during a major op. Got promoted early, transferred stateside to Walter Reed.

One of the other medics asked me once–was giving up Cambridge worth it?

Back then, reading the notes Garrett left me before every mission?

Yeah. I thought it was.

But now…

A special ringtone interrupted my thoughts.

Looking at Garrett’s name flashing on my screen, I stared at it for a second, then hit accept.

His voice came through tight, pissed:

“So what, dragging Julian into some act? Thought that’d make me jealous?”

“You forget who stayed at the hospital with you when you had pneumonia? You CAN’T just leave me, Wren.”

I held the phone. Said nothing.

Scarlett’s voice drifted through the speaker, syrupy–sweet: “Babe, come cut the cake!”

Garrett’s tone shifted, went soft. “Be right there.”

Then back to me; clipped:

“Look, Scarlett’s unit and mine are running joint operations for the next two weeks. After that, I’ll clear things up. Stop being dramatic.

“Stay home tonight. I’ll grab that Thai place you like on my way back.”

My mind drifted-

Garrett got recruited into Delta during a routine inspection of my field hospital unit. Some Colonel saw him disarm an IED in under three minutes and yanked him into Special Operations Command.

I fought it.

Garrett’s whole plan was defense contracting after his service ended. Steady job. Safe. Maybe start that security consulting firm he always talked about.

Delta meant that door closed forever.

But he went over my head. Spoke to the CO privately. Signed the papers before I even knew.

Afterward, he held me on our bunk, voice cracking:

“Wren, I don’t want you living off scraps because of me. I’m gonna rack up rank, give you a better life.”

Se Garrett gave up his dream for me.

Or so he said.

16:33

Twenty Six Receipts of Betrayal: My Silence Was the Countdown to this Eternal Regret

Chapter 2

After that, our schedules barely synced. Weeks would pass between phone calls.

The first time rumors started–some performing arts girl got too close during a morale tour–he drove five hours overnight just to show up at my door.

Held me. Swore it was bullshit.

I asked him, “Can’t we just go public? Tell people we’re married?”

He said it’d hurt his image. Disappoint command. Not the right time.

But he promised–his wife would only ever be me.

I believed him.

Until later…

Scarlett showed up.

She got harassed after some show, tried to run, ended up in a river. Garrett happened to be there doing perimeter security. Saved her.

She played it perfect. Soaking wet. Helpless. Clinging to him.

By morning, the whole base was talking.

But that time? Garrett didn’t say a single word.

By the time I snapped out of it, Garrett had already hung up.

Whatever. I had other things to deal with-

I called the JAG office, asked about divorce paperwork.

Before I left the country, I needed to be done with Garrett Reid.

What I didn’t expect?

When he came home that night, Scarlett was with him.

16.33