Chapter 1 I'd been secretly married to Delta Force Commander Garrett Reid for five years , and he never once claimed me . ] At the victory party after drills at Fort Bragg , his teammates wouldn't let up about my love life . [ ] Even Garrett leaned in . grinning like it was all some joke : [] " Dr. Hayes , plenty of solid guys in Special Ops . Want me to hook you up ? " [ ] Last life ? I cracked - pulled out our wedding rings right there in front of everyone . [ ] Scarlett Morgan , the performing arts darling , literally bolted out in tears . [ ] Garrett said nothing that night . But after ? Frozen out . 4 When my convoy got ambushed near the Syrian border and I was bleeding out in a field hospital ? He didn't even call . Too busy driving three hours to watch Scarlett's big performance at HQ . [ ] When Scarlett accused me of leaking classified intel and I called him sobbing ? All he said : " Let JAG sort it out . " [] That's when it hit me - I wasn't his wife . I was his alibi . [ ] This time around ? I just smiled . " Actually , I'm taken . Filing the paperwork next month . " [ ] -0 Dead silence . Everyone froze . Garrett's face went dark , knuckles white around his beer bottle . [ ] He opened his mouth , but Scarlett - perched right next to him batting those big innocent eyes - jumped in first : " Girl , you kept THAT quiet ! Were you ever gonna tell us , or ... c ... ? " Half the platoon was at this party. Her comment got people talking immediately . ] " Wait , Dr. Hayes is getting married ?! " ] " She's the best trauma surgeon on base - when'd she even have TIME to date ? " I smoothed down my scrubs . " Kept it on the down - low , yeah . Makes me the only wife that counts . " [ ] See , in my past life ? I thought Scarlett didn't know about Garrett and me . Thought she'd been played too . Until I was barely conscious in that field hospital and she showed up to brag about how obsessed Garrett was with her . That's when I realized - she'd known the whole damn time . Scarlett's smile flickered . Others scrambled to fill the silence : [ ] " So who's the lucky guy , Dr. Hayes ? " ] " Anyone good enough for you's gotta be pretty impressive ! " ] ] I kept my smile easy . " You'll meet him soon enough . " [ ] The second I finished talking , someone scoffed . [ ] Scarlett raised one perfect eyebrow , challenge written all over her face : [ ] " You're not making this up , are you ? I mean , no judgment , but you're what - thirty - two ? If you were still single , that'd be kinda rough . Right , Garrett ? " [ ] She blinked up at Garrett , doing that cute tongue out thing [ ] My hands belled into fists . Then I heard Garrett grunt , " Yeah . " [ ] Scarlett's smile spread wider { ] Chapter 1 Second life , second chance , right ? So why was I still hoping he'd be different ? ] Right then , this warm voice came from the doorway : ] " Hey , is Wren here ? Came to pick her up . " [] Everyone turned to look . 7 . Guy in a dark suit stood at the entrance , gold - rimmed glasses , looking stupidly calm for someone who just walked into a military party . [ ] Rain was still on his shoulders - clearly just bolted from the lab . [ ] When our eyes met , even I was caught off guard . [ ] He smiled . " Wren . Let's go . " ] ] Whispers exploded . [ ] " Hold up , isn't that Professor Julian Cross from Defense Tech ? " " The youngest department head they've ever had ? " ] " THAT'S Dr. Hayes's boyfriend ? Damn , power couple much ? " ] I stood , nodded to everyone . " I'm out . See you guys . " ] From the second I moved, I felt eyes burning into my back . But I didn't turn around . [] Right as I hit the doorway , Garrett's voice cut through the noise : " Wren Hayes ! " ] I stopped . Turned . " Yeah ? " His jaw was tight , fury rolling behind his eyes . Scarlett curved her lips at me , voice dripping fake sweetness . " It's my medal ceremony in a bit . Garrett's taking me out after . Wanna come ? " ] ] I glanced at Garrett - he just stood there , silent . ] " Nah . " Then turned back toward the door . " Congrats on the medal . I've got plans . " [ ] That stare followed me all the way to Julian's Range Rover . ] I buckled up . " Thanks , Julian . " [ ] He shrugged . " Had a conference on base anyway . Heard voices , figured I'd check . " ] I smiled a little . Didn't push . He didn't either . Just asked : " Where to ? I'll drop you off . " I I gave him an address . ] ] We got there quick . Before I got out , Julian held up his phone . [ ] " Wren . Let's trade numbers . " ] I hesitated . He laughed , soft . " Who knows . Maybe I'll need a favor someday . " [ ] I nodded , pulled out my phone . " Sure . " [ ] After we added each other , Julian drove off I turned and walked inside . ] This place - Garrett applied for it right after we got married . Tiny two bedroom off hase apartment in Fayetteville . But it was ours . Chapter 1 Back when he actually came home , we'd sprawl on the couch , watch movies , read . [ ] Now ? He basically lived in the barracks . [ ] Soon as I stepped inside , my department head called . [ ] " Wren , check Instagram . NOW ! [] Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!