Dominic spent another month recovering in the base hospital.
During this time, Valeria came to visit him exactly once. It was her first and last visit.
It happened on the afternoon before he was scheduled to be transferred to a rear hospital for rehabilitation. The setting sun bathed the hospital room in a warm, golden glow.
She knocked and entered empty-handed, bringing neither flowers nor fruit. Dressed in her faded tactical uniform, she seemed to carry the scent of sunlight and dust from the outside world.
"Captain Langston," she greeted smoothly, standing by the door without stepping further inside. Her tone held the usual flat detachment of a colleague.
Dominic had been reading, propped up against the headboard. At the sound of her voice, his head snapped up. Seeing her, a burst
