During dinner at the cafeteria, Ellena, Norah, Harry, and Derek couldn't stop laughing as soon as they saw Bella walk in.
Bella shot them an irritated look. "Norah, you could've told me that stone-heart was standing right behind me!"
Norah burst into laughter. "I tried! You just weren't listening."
The whole table erupted in laughter again.
Harry leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Honestly, how did Officer Ethan even let you come back alive?"
Bella smacked the back of his head. "I'm not scared of him, okay?"
"Oh really?" Norah teased. "Then whose soul was about to leave their body the moment they saw Officer Ethan in the ground?"
Bella huffed, got up from her seat, and snapped, "I'm leaving. I'm not talking to any of you."
She stormed off. Behind her, Ellena and Derek called out, "At least finish your food!"
But Bella ignored them and kept walking.
Ethan had just finished his dinner and was heading back to his office when he spotted Bella sitting alone on the ground outside, knees pulled to her chest.
He walked toward her. "Didn't you eat?"
Bella startled at his voice. "No."
"Why?" he asked.
"I wasn't hungry."
Ethan exhaled quietly. "Skipping meals isn't good. You'll make yourself sick."
Bella looked at him sharply. "And why do you care?"
"I'm responsible for you," he answered without hesitation.
Bella narrowed her eyes. "Who told you that you're responsible for me?"
Ethan stepped closer, his voice low but steady. "The bond between us did."
Bella let out a sarcastic little laugh. "Oh right… the officer-and-cadet bond."
Ethan held her gaze, unblinking. "No. The husband-and-wife bond."
For a moment, Bella went completely still—stunned, speechless.
Ethan simply smiled, shook his head lightly, and began walking toward his office.
Bella watched him leave, her breath caught in her chest… and a soft, involuntary smile tugged at her lips.