Chapter 1"What brand are you using today? It feels so thin."
I was riding my Delta Force Commander boyfriend, straddling his hips during our morning fuck—when something felt off.
He thrust harder, his voice rough.
"I'm not wearing one today. Let me stay inside you a little longer—these drills at Fort Bragg are killing me."
No one would believe it.
Commander Kaelan Sherwood—Delta Force's most ruthless leader was underneath me right now, begging me like a starving puppy.
His only stress relief was fucking me raw. All night. Every night.
I'm his childhood sweetheart, his subordinate, his dirty little secret.
But tonight might be our last time.
Because of one sick family rule: He has to draw a "Blessed" tarot card to marry me.
But five years in a row, Kaelan drew only the "Death" card—a curse in their eyes—earning him 98 lashes.
And tonight was attempt #99.
I was ready to take the punishment with him.
I'd beg his family to break the rule, bleed for us if I have to.
Then I saw it.
He drew the Blessed card.
FINALLY!
But before I could even scream with joy, he shoved it back and pulled out a Death card instead.
"Announce it publicly," he told his uncle coldly. "This one's cursed too."
I stood there frozen, my mind completely blank.
Then it hit me—he never wanted to marry me!
That's when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
I answered without hesitation.
"Mom? I accept the contract marriage."
...
Kaelan's uncle took the slip, looking at Kaelan in disbelief.
"Kaelan, when you were a kid, you used to chase after Avelaine yelling that you'd marry her one day. Now you're a Delta Force Commander, and you keep putting it off?"
"This is the 99th time you've switched a Blessed card for a Death card."
So the previous 98 draws had all been Blessed cards too.
Inside the ancestral hall, Kaelan's voice carried a hint of helplessness.
"My desire to marry Avelaine has never changed. But during those three years she was deployed in Africa on counter-terror mission, Betsy was the one by my side."
"Betsy told me that the day I get married, she'll request a transfer to the most dangerous outpost on the border. I don't love her, but after eight years of life-and-death missions together, I can't bear to let her risk her life like that."
"And what about Avelaine?" his uncle pressed. "You keep swapping the cards, postponing the wedding—aren't you afraid of breaking her heart?"
Kaelan fell silent for a moment, then picked up the whip from the corner and handed it to his uncle.
"That's why I'll never let Avelaine find out. Every punishment is my way of making it up to her. This time, follow the family law too—99 lashes."
---
Outside the door, my vision had already blurred with tears.
Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket—it was my mother.
"Avelaine, how did the draw go? Can you and Kaelan finally get married?"
My throat felt stuffed with cotton. I couldn't speak.
My mother understood immediately. Her voice turned earnest, almost pleading.
"Five years and still no marriage—it's clear he doesn't truly want to marry you. Listen to Mom: come back to Virginia. The Spencer family is a respected military family, and the Spencer heir is an elite officer. You'll be cherished there. I just want you to be safe and happy."
Through the open doorway, I stared at Kaelan's lonely silhouette.
A needle-sharp ache spread across my chest.
"Mom, I accept the contract marriage."
Chapter 2
I hung up the phone just as Kaelan finished taking his punishment.
His uncle was helping him out of the room.
When he saw me, panic flashed in his eyes.
"Avelaine, when did you get here?"
I forced down the emotions churning inside me. "Just now. While you were being punished."
Kaelan let out an almost imperceptible sigh of relief, grabbing my hand with guilt written all over his face.
"I'm sorry. I still couldn't draw the Blessed card this time. Can you just wait a little longer? Next time, I swear I'll get it and marry you."
My nails were digging into my palm, but I didn't say a word.
Kaelan's wounds were still bleeding. He needed treatment at the base hospital.
In the ward, I had just finished dressing his wounds when the door slammed open.
It was Betsy—her eyes red and swollen.
The second she saw the bandages covering Kaelan's back, she charged over, pointing at me and screaming at him.
"Ninety-nine Death cards in a row! That means you two aren't meant to be together! Why are you so desperate to marry her?"
Kaelan's face darkened instantly, his voice cold as ice.
"Betsy, you're just my personal aide. Don't dare you interfere in my private life!"
Betsy's face went pale. She ran out crying.
My eyes stung with tears, but I kept my voice steady.
"Betsy is your Personal Aide? Since when?"
Kaelan stiffened, then replied in an annoyed tone.
"Last week during the staff reassignments. I didn't expect them to put her under me. I couldn't refuse without a reason."
I forced a bitter smile at how clumsy the lie sounded.
Noticing my silence, he rushed to reassure me.
"Don't worry. The second she screws up, I'll have her transferred. I've been sick of her since the academy."
He said he only loved me, yet he kept swapping the cards.
He said he was sick of Betsy, yet he kept her by his side as his aide.
"I'll be busy the next few days. Let the base nurses look after you."
If I stayed any longer, I knew I'd lose control.
Ignoring the disappointment in his eyes, I left the ward.
Over the next few days, I stayed busy processing my discharge and reassignment.
That day, after finishing all the procedures, Kaelan called to say he'd been released from the hospital and wanted to surprise me.
As soon as I got in the car, he blindfolded me with a scarf.
When we arrived, I removed the scarf.
It was the USO where he'd confessed to me the year he graduated from West Point.
A banner hung at the entrance:
"Celebrating Kaelan Sherwood & Avelaine Campbell's 13th Anniversary."
How fitting. This relationship started here—it would end here too.
Kaelan didn't notice anything wrong. He put his arm around me and led me inside.
He'd rented out the entire center.
The decorative flowers were red roses—my least favorite.
Half the photos on the memory wall were crooked or falling.
The table was clearly set for two, but there was only one set of silverware.
Kaelan frowned and called over the owner. "Why is everything such a mess?"
The owner was sweating bullets. "Commander Sherwood, everything was arranged exactly as your personal aide instructed. We tried to warn her it wasn't right, but Miss Morris insisted..."
Kaelan's face darkened, but his anger quickly subsided. He leaned close to me, coaxing.
"I'll make Betsy write a ten-thousand-word self-critique. Don't get upset, okay? Today is our anniversary. Don't let irrelevant people ruin in."
I said nothing and sat down silently.
When the cake was brought out, I laughed bitterly.
It was mango cake.
Looks like Betsy was determined to ruin our anniversary.
"I'm allergic to mango."
Kaelan's anger finally exploded. "I'm going to find Betsy and get to the bottom of this!"
He stormed outside, and I followed.
At the entrance, Kaelan grabbed Betsy's wrist.
"I told you a hundred times how to set this up. I reminded you Avelaine's allergic to mango. Did you do this on purpose?"
Betsy yanked her hand away, her eyes red as she shouted back.
"Yes! I did it on purpose! I can't decorate your anniversary with her! Punish me if you want—I don't give a damn!"
Kaelan's eyes softened, though he looked away from her.
"Avelaine and I have known each other for twenty years. She's the only woman I love."
Betsy smiled sadly, her eyes filled with endless grief.
"I'm so jealous of her—that she gets your love."
"While I can only watch you celebrate your anniversary with her on my birthday. It's like twisting a knife in my chest."
Looking at the woman in pain before him, Kaelan spoke stiffly.
"How about this—I'll grant you one wish. After all, you are my subordinate."
"I want a kiss. Can I have that?"
Betsy rose on her toes, brushed the corner of his lips.
Just as she was about to pull away, Kaelan grabbed the back of her head and kissed her hard!
Even though I'd already decided to let go, the scene before me still felt like a bullet to the heart.
Kaelan didn't return to the USO center for half an hour with Betsy following behind him.
Acting like nothing happened, he slipped an arm around my waist.
"Avelaine, I just punished her. Now she'll apologize to you herself."
Betsy readily admitted her fault.
"I'm sorry, Miss Campbell. It was my oversight at work. I hope you can forgive me—Commander Sherwood has already 'punished' me."
She shot me a somewhat triumphant look before turning and leaving.
I closed my eyes and forced a faint smile.
"Kaelan, let's break up."
"My mom already arranged an engagement for me in Virginia."
Chapter 3
But he didn't hear me.
Because outside, Betsy's scream rang out, mixed with the screech of tires.
Kaelan dropped me and bolted out the door.
Not long after, my phone dinged—a message from Betsy:
[You think Kaelan making me apologize meant he hates me?]
[Let me tell you—half an hour ago, he kissed me to comfort me.]
[And now? I almost got hit by a car, and he couldn't even care about your precious anniversary. He's taking me to the hospital.]
[I matter more to him than you ever will!]
Through the glass window, I watched that familiar Jeep disappear into the distance. I laughed bitterly at myself.
Back at the residential compound, I started packing for Virginia.
Kaelan, who'd said "I'll be right back," went radio silent all afternoon.
It wasn't until well past midnight that he finally texted:
[Avelaine, Betsy got into a car accident. Forget that she's my subordinate—as a soldier, I can't just abandon her. Let's celebrate our anniversary another day, okay? Don't be mad.]
I didn't reply.
Early the next morning, the doorbell rang urgently.
When I opened it, Kaelan stood there looking anxious.
"Why didn't you reply last night? Are you still mad?"
"I was tired from packing. Fell asleep." I brushed him off casually.
His eyes fell on the camouflage duffel bag in the living room. He grabbed me in panic.
"Why are you packing? Where are you going?"
I pulled free from his grip, answering calmly. "Virginia."
At that, he relaxed.
"Oh—going to see your parents? When's your flight? I'll have my aide prepare some gifts to bring to them. Say hello to them for me."
"Tonight's flight."
"Okay, I'll drive you to the airport. But come back soon, yeah? I'll miss you."
His voice even carried a hint of playful sweetness.
Kaelan didn't think twice. He shut the door for me.
"Actually, some West Point buddies are having a reunion lunch today. Come with me."
I didn't refuse.
After I left for Virginia, the chances of seeing old classmates again would be slim. This was as good a farewell as any.
When I got in the car, I saw Betsy sitting in the passenger seat, her calf wrapped in bandages.
Kaelan rushed to explain, "She can't walk well, so she's riding with us."
I nodded calmly, my tone flat. "I understand."
Kaelan's brow furrowed slightly, as if surprised by my reaction.
But in the end, he said nothing and drove off.
We arrived at the venue shortly after.
The moment we stepped into the private room, we became the center of attention.
"Can't believe after all these years, the West Point's golden couple is still inseparable! Your relationship is as strong as ever!"
"Seriously, you must be married by now, right? Any kids?"
Before either of us could answer, Betsy jumped in.
"Don't get ahead of yourselves—they're not married! Commander Sherwood's marriage follows family tradition. Nothing's been decided yet!"
Kaelan's face darkened. He put his arm around my shoulder, his thumb brushing the plain ring on my finger—the one he'd made from a bullet casing.
"We just haven't gotten the Blessed card yet. But we're definitely getting married. When we do, you're all invited to the Fort Bragg officers' mess. Full military honors."
Just then, our old leader pulled out a metal box.
"Now that everyone's here, let's open the time capsule from graduation and see whose wishes came true!"
The mood in the room instantly lifted.
"Come on! Dump 'em out! You reads each one out loud in front of everyone—that's the fun part!"
The first one was Kaelan's:
[Once I make Major General, marry Avelaine immediately. I'll make her my one and only wife.]
The second was mine:
[Marry Kaelan. Have a baby soon. Become a happy family of three.]
The third was Betsy's:
[Stay by Kaelan Sherwood's side forever.]
Betsy smiled smugly. "I'm the only one who got my wish. I'm his Personal Aide now—I'm with him every day."
Everyone looked at her with contempt.
"Homewrecker. Betsy, you don't deserve that uniform."
Just then, a drunk male classmate stumbled over, smirking.
"How about this—since Kaelan doesn't want you, why don't you come with me? I'll make sure you live like a queen on base."
He leaned in, his breath reeking of alcohol, trying to plant a kiss on her.
Kaelan shot to his feet, shoving the man back hard and stepping in front of Betsy. His voice was ice-cold.
"Who said I don't want her? She's my woman. No one touches her!"
