FAR GONE

Chapter 15

“Mia…”

Her voice cut through my thoughts before I even realized I’d stopped moving. She was already striding toward me, her eyes wide, her hair bouncing slightly as she quickened her pace.

“Kael!” she called again, this time closer.

When she reached me, she didn’t hesitate. Her hands came up, hovering near my arm like she was afraid to touch but couldn’t stop herself either. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice soft but urgent. “You didn’t get hurt tonight again, did you?”

Her concern hit me harder than I expected. For a second, I wanted to just nod and let her words be enough. But I couldn’t. Not tonight.

I stepped back, putting a small space between us. My chest tightened as I drew a slow breath. “Mia… I’m sorry,” I said, my voice lower than usual, almost unsteady. “But I have to say this. Once and for all.”

She blinked, confusion knitting her brows.

“I’m a father,” I went on. “A husband. I love my family more than anything, even if things aren’t easy between us right now. That part of my life… I don’t play with it. Not for anyone.”

Mia tilted her head, her lips parting slightly. “What is that supposed to mean, Kael?”

I forced myself to hold her gaze. “It means,” I said carefully, “that nothing can happen between us. Nothing more than what we are now—me, a guard appointed to protect you. That’s all it can ever be.”

For a beat, silence lingered. Then Mia’s face suddenly broke into a laugh—loud, unrestrained, the kind that made her bend slightly forward as she held her stomach.

I stared at her, startled. “Why are you laughing like that?” I asked, more sharply than I intended.

She wiped at her eyes, still giggling. “Kael, you’re… you’re so funny! What are you even talking about?”

I felt heat crawl up my neck, but I forced my tone steady. “I’m making myself clear. I don’t want things between us to get… confusing. So I’m defining it now. Guard. Nothing more.”

“Guard?” she repeated, breaking into another fit of laughter.

I exhaled hard and stepped aside. “I’ll excuse myself.”

Without waiting for her reply, I walked inside. But even as the dormitory door shut behind me, I could still hear her laughter echoing faintly outside.

Inside, I sat heavily on my bed, running a hand over my face. My heart was thudding—not from battle, but from sheer embarrassment. Damn it, Kael. The words I’d thrown at her replayed in my head, each one more awkward than the last.

I banged my fist lightly against the mattress. “i***t,” I muttered at myself.

That was when my eyes landed on the table.

A takeout bag sat there, neatly arranged, and the savory smell immediately filled the room. I stepped closer, lifting the lid. I could spot the chicken glistened with sauce, fried rice speckled with vegetables, and spring rolls wrapped golden and crisp. My stomach growled before I could stop it.

Beside the food, a note lay folded. I picked it up.

Eat this before you faint, Soldier. And don’t bang your poor bed too much—it didn’t do anything to you.

I stared at the words for a moment, then let out a laugh despite myself. I could almost hear her teasing voice in every line. My lips curved into a smile, small at first, then wider as I shook my head.

“Mia…” I muttered, but there was warmth in my voice this time.

My phone buzzed on the table. The smile faded as I picked it up. Seraphina’s name lit up the screen.

I pressed it to my ear. “I’m listening.”

Her voice came firm, businesslike. “Raven will be at the Silver Dusk Motel tomorrow. Eight p.m. He’s coming to make a purchase. Did you discuss this with Mia?”

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. “I’m not taking her there,” I said flatly. “It’s too risky.”

“Kael,” she replied, steady as steel. “Raven knows too many faces. He won’t wait if he spots you. But Mia? He knows nothing about her. Right now, she’s our best chance.”

I gritted my teeth. My gut twisted, but her words made sense, damn them.

“I can assure you,” she went on, “nothing will happen to her. We’ll be standby. If anything goes wrong, we step in.”

For a long moment, I said nothing. My jaw worked, my mind racing. Finally, I let out a slow breath. “Fine. I’ll talk to Mia. But you’d better keep your word, Seraphina. Nothing happens to her.”

“You have my word,” she said.

The line went dead.

I hesitated for a while, pacing back and forth in my room. The call with Seraphina still echoed in my head. I needed to talk to Mia—whether I wanted to or not. Finally, I stood up, my chest heavy, and stepped out into the dimly lit hallway.

Her door was just ahead. My hand was half-raised to knock when I noticed it—slightly ajar.

That froze me.

My instincts kicked in, something felt off. Without thinking, I pushed the door open wider and stepped inside—ready for anything. But what I saw stopped me in my tracks.

Mia had just stepped out from the bathroom. A towel was wrapped loosely around her, damp strands of her dark hair clinging to her shoulders. Droplets traced down her skin, catching the light of the bedside lamp.

My chest tightened. For a split second, I felt something raw, something I didn’t want to admit even to myself. l**t pressed hard at the back of my throat.

I turned sharply away, my face burning. “Why didn’t you lock the door?” I muttered, harsher than I intended.

“I… I didn’t realize it wasn’t locked,” she said, her voice calm but carrying a note of curiosity. “Why are you here, Kael?”

I swallowed. My hands curled into fists at my sides. I wanted to face her, to explain, but when I glanced over my shoulder I caught the way she was watching me—eyes unblinking, searching, almost vulnerable but with a spark of something else I couldn’t name. I turned back quickly, staring at the wall.

“I came because I have something important to tell you,” I said, my voice low. “But seeing you like this… I think it’s a bad time. I’ll come back later.”

Before I could step out, she suddenly closed the space between us and grabbed my arm. Her hand was warm, firm, refusing to let go.

“What is happening to you lately?” she demanded, her brows furrowed. “Why are you avoiding me like this? And earlier—what you said—it’s confusing, Kael. All of it. Do you care to explain?”

Her closeness made it harder to breathe. My mind screamed to break free, but my heart stuttered. I forced myself to speak.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “But right now… isn’t the time. Tomorrow, Mia. I’ll explain tomorrow.”

I tried to step away, but she rushed after me, her grip tightening on my hand. “Don’t walk away again,” she said, her voice breaking somewhere between frustration and desperation.

I didn’t answer. I pulled the door open and stepped into the hallway—and froze.

Aria was standing there.

Her eyes fell on me, then on Mia… still in her towel… our hands intertwined. For a long, breathless second, no one moved.

My heart sank into my stomach.

“Aria…” I said, my voice faltering. I wanted to ask why she was here, but the words died on my lips.

Her face was pale, her eyes shining with something that looked like betrayal. She whispered, “I’m sorry for coming at this hour.” Then she turned, almost stumbling, and left.

“Aria!” I called after her, panic slicing through me. I shook Mia’s hand free and rushed after her, my feet pounding against the floor.

I caught up and grabbed her wrist. “Wait, please!”

She stopped, slowly turning to me. Her eyes glistened as though she had been holding back tears. I saw it—saw the pain swimming there, threatening to spill.

“Aria…” I breathed.

She wiped at her face quickly, her voice trembling but edged with resolve. “Kael… just wait. Wait until Liam gets better. Until then… we’ll divorce each other.”

The words hit me like a blade to the chest. “What? What are you talking about?”

She looked back at me, a mix of sadness and bitterness in her gaze. “How old is she, Kael? Mia. She’s young… beautiful…”

I shook my head furiously. “What are you saying? Listen to me—whatever you’re thinking, none of it is real. None of it!”

“Don’t lie to me,” she cut in sharply, her voice cracking. “I’m not ready for your excuses. Not now.”

“Aria…” I said again, softer this time, almost pleading.

She wiped her eyes once more, trying to steady herself. “I wasn’t with my phone earlier when you called. I took Liam to a recovery house—it was recommended by the doctor. They say it’s good for people after surgery. That’s where we were.”

Her words stung even deeper—she hadn’t abandoned me, she had been taking care of Liam.

She turned slightly, ready to leave. My chest tightened. I grabbed her hand again. “Aria, wait—”

But she pulled her hand away, shaking her head. And then she walked off into the night, leaving me standing there in silence.