Ch. SECRET KID ` 51 SECRET KID ` 51

Chapter 3 

I shot up, snatched it from his hand. 

“He gave it to me. Before he died.” 

Zachary looked stunned, eyes flicking over the mess on the ground. 

“You’re packing? You’re leaving the medical team?” 

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, he smiled- 

“Well, great. If you’re stepping down, maybe Sophie can take your place.” 

“If you could make it as a field medic, I’m sure she’ll do fine.” 

His words hit harder than anything before. 

If I could make it? 

I gave up my 

ame, my pride, everything I knew–just to learn those skills and support him. 

I stayed up for days treating the wounded, faced horror no civilian could stomach. 

And now, it was reduced to a joke. 

Not worth a word. 

I didn’t even bother picking up my things–I just walked out. 

I stopped by Dr. Charles’s office to say goodbye. 

And there, at the front gate, Zachary was waiting–holding a package. 

When he saw me, he pressed it into my hands. 

“Your stuff.” 

My heart softened for just a second. I was about to say thank you- 

Then he added: 

“Can you 

talk to Dr. Charles?” 

“Ask him to take Sophie under his wing too?” 

“It’ll help her chances of staying here.” 

A sharp wind whipped through the air, carrying the desert grit straight into my eyes. 

and wh- Tabad Crazy for Me 

39.1% 

Chapter 3 

I blinked back the sting, gave a small nod. 

“Sure.” 

1. t. 

Call it closure. 

A debt paid. 

Zachary’s face lit up, like he’d gotten exactly what he wanted. 

Then he looked at me. 

“So what about you? What’ll you do next?” 

I shrugged. 

“Play house. Be the good little military wife back in D.C.” 

He nodded, relieved. 

He set the box down and pulled me into a hug. 

“Nina Sullivan, marrying you was the best thing that ever happened to me.” 

“When I get some leave, I’ll take you back to the city.” 

“We’ll visit your dad’s grave.” 

“I’ll bring a bottle of his favorite whiskey.” 

I let him hold me, but my chest felt like ice. 

It was too late. 

All of it–too late. 

Just then, Sophie walked up. 

“Zachary, I’m not feeling great.” 

“Can we go home?” 

Her cheeks were flushed. 

I stepped away from his arms. 

And just like I expected, he let go without a second thought. 

“I’ll take Sophie back first,” he said, already reaching for her. 

“We’ll talk later.” 

39.3% 

Chapter 3 

He walked away, cradling her like she was made of glass. 

I didn’t stop him. 

Just bent down, picked up the box–then dropped it in the dirt. 

Anything he touched, I didn’t want anymore. 

One day left before I head back to D.C…