Chapter 2

"Ma'am, would you like to reconsider this?" The courthouse clerk, Adrienne Fox, adjusted her glasses. "Captain Pierce is one of our finest officers in the district." "No need." Valentina cut her off, her voice eerily calm. "My mind is made up." Her fingertips unconsciously traced over their wedding photo that she'd brought with her. In the picture, Daniel looked sharp in his dress uniform, while she glowed in her white wedding gown; both of them beamed with joy. On the day they got their marriage license, he had held her close and whispered in her ear, "Val, you're the only one I'll ever want." On their wedding night, he had gently kissed away her tears and promised to cherish her forever. But now… All those vows had turned into images of him and Camille tangled together on their bed, into the sight of his back as he ran to save Camille without hesitation during the earthquake. "Alright then. Following standard procedure, the divorce will be finalized in one month." Adrienne sighed and handed her a receipt. Valentina took the paper and walked out of the courthouse. Instead of going home, she headed straight to the Forest Service office. "Sir, I want to apply for a position as a ranger in the Montanias wilderness." The Forest Service director, Benjamin Cross, looked up in surprise. "Ms. Frost, while we certainly need dedicated people for our conservation efforts, being a ranger is tough work. You'd be stationed alone for months at a time..." He hesitated. "Besides, you and Captain Pierce are so devoted to each other. Would he really let you go?" "I don't need his permission." Valentina placed the divorce papers on his desk. "We're getting divorced." Benjamin was stunned speechless. After all, these two were considered the perfect couple on the base. If anyone was going to get a divorce, it would never be them. But it was ultimately a private matter between the couple, so he didn't feel right prying. Finally, he pulled out an application form. "Alright, I'll put your name down. When can you start?" "As soon as the divorce is finalized." Walking out of the Forest Service office, the sun was already setting. Valentina had barely made it down the front steps when a strong hand grabbed her wrist. "Val!" Daniel stood before her with beads of sweat on his forehead. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse. "You're still recovering! How could you wander off on your own? Do you have any idea I've been looking for you all day?" Valentina looked at his frantic expression and found it almost laughable. He was so worried about her now, yet he had still chosen to abandon her when it mattered most. When she didn't respond, Daniel assumed she was still angry and softened his tone. "Look, what happened before was my fault. Stop being mad at me, okay? The base housing is still being repaired, so I'll take you to stay in the officers' quarters for now." Valentina lowered her eyes. She knew that if she told him about the divorce and her plans to become a ranger now, Daniel would never let her leave. So she simply nodded and followed him to the car. The jeep finally stopped at the officers' quarters. Valentina was exhausted and had just started to head inside to rest when she froze the moment she pushed open the door. Camille was sitting on the couch in the living room. The moment she saw Valentina enter, she immediately stood up and stumbled toward her, dropping to her knees with a heavy thud. "Valentina!" Camille sobbed uncontrollably, her hands desperately clutching at the hem of Valentina's clothes. "I haven't apologized to you for what happened... It's all my fault, every bit of it! Please don't blame Daniel for this!" Tears streamed down her face as her voice choked with emotion. "After Marcus died, I just couldn't go on living. I'm a widow with no prospects for remarriage, and without a child to care for me, how am I supposed to survive? "I promise you, as soon as I have a baby, I'll leave immediately and never bother you two again! Valentina, please just let Daniel give me a child..." Daniel stood to the side, watching Camille's pitiful display, a flash of sympathy crossing his eyes. He quickly stepped forward and helped her to her feet. "Val has already agreed. Now get up." Camille looked up in surprise, her tear-filled eyes turning to Valentina. "Really?" Valentina stared at both of them, suddenly finding the entire scene utterly absurd. "Yes, I agreed to it," she said softly, a sarcastic smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. Not only would she agree to let him give her a child, but she'd be throwing in Daniel as a bonus!