Chapter 1 Evelyn Hart married her father's old army buddy . She was eighteen that year ; he was thirty . People liked to say older men doted on their wives , and after the wedding , Evelyn's life truly felt drenched in sweetness . If she offhandedly mentioned craving powdered donuts from that little shop on the west side of Evermont , he'd drive across half the city after work just to bring them home for her . When she kicked off the blankets in her sleep , he'd patiently tuck her in again and again . When her cramps hit during her period , he'd rub her stomach with those strong , gun - calloused hands and press a warm mug of milk into her palms . The officer wives at the housing complex near Evermont Base couldn't stop raving about her luck . " Graham Sterling , " they'd tease , " you've gone and raised a little princess in that house of yours , haven't you ? " Graham would only smile faintly , wiping apple juice from the corner of Evelyn's mouth as she munched beside him . " She's still young , still figuring things out . It's only right I look after her a little more . " But Evelyn knew he wasn't always that gentle . In the bedroom , under the soft glow of lamplight , he shed his calm , composed facade . He would hold her close , unrelenting , pushing her until she whimpered and begged him to stop- and even then , he didn't always let her go . She'd once overheard one of the neighbor wives whisper that the more a man " made a fuss " in that department , the more he cherished his wife . The thought had melted her heart , dissolving her discomfort into a secret , guilty joy . She thought their days would always be like that , sweet and blissful . Until her mother's funeral . Evelyn cried herself nearly to fainting . Graham took leave to stand by her side , handling arrangements , her only anchor in the storm of grief . At the service , dressed in a black dress , she could barely stand , leaning heavily on his strong arm . Chapter 1 4.35 % Then his aide , Frank Miller , rushed over and whispered something in his ear . Graham's face changed instantly . He let go of her . " Evelyn , Sophie's divorced and has nowhere to go . She needs me right now . You ... take care of yourself . I'll be back . " Sophie Monroe . His first love . Evelyn had heard her name before . She opened her mouth to speak , but before she could , he was already striding away with Frank , leaving her behind . And he never came back . After the funeral , Evelyn trudged home , drowning in grief for her mother and the sting of her husband's abandonment . The mountain path was slick with mud , and lost in her pain , she didn't see the root that caught her foot . She slipped and tumbled down the hillside . When she woke , she was in the hospital . Her head was wrapped in gauze , her leg broken , every movement stabbing pain through her body . The doctor's face was grim . " Ma'am , you've got a concussion and a fractured leg . We need to operate , but a family member has to sign off . " Family ? Graham was all she had . The nurse dialed their home number for her . Once , no answer . Twice , still nothing . Call after call , only the endless drone of a busy signal . He's probably with Sophie , she thought . With each unanswered ring , her heart grew colder and heavier , sinking like a stone . In the end , a kind neighbor , unable to bear her struggle , signed the forms with trembling hands . When Evelyn was finally discharged , she limped back to the home that had once been her haven , her injured leg screaming with every step . As she pushed open the gate , a familiar scent hit her - the rich , creamy aroma of chicken pot pie . Her favorite . Her mother's specialty . Before she passed , her mother had mustered the strength to make one last batch , freezing Chapter 1 4.35 % individual portions for Evelyn . " Heat these up whenever you miss me , " she'd said . Evelyn's chest tightened , tears pricking her eyes . She fumbled with her keys , heart racing , and flung open the door . Then she froze . At the dining table , Graham sat with a small bowl , carefully spooning out the filling and feeding it to another woman . In that woman's bowl was the last of her mother's chicken pot pie - the final piece of her love , the treasure Evelyn had clung to so dearly . She didn't need to ask who the woman was . Sophie Monroe , his first love . Sophie had gotten divorced , so he'd abandoned his wife at her mother's funeral . Sophie was sad and needed comfort , so he'd ignored thirty - six desperate calls from his injured wife . Sophie was hurting , so he'd brought her home and fed her the last gift Evelyn's mother had left her . Her chest felt split wide open , cold wind howling through the gaping hole . Yet no pain came - only numbness , a bone - deep chill . She didn't cry . She didn't scream . She didn't even glance at the pie again . Instead , she turned , step by agonizing step , Office . gging her broken leg toward the County Clerk's " Hello , I'd like to file for a no - fault divorce , " she said . The clerk looked at the pale , resolute young woman before her and tried to mediate . " You're so young , miss . Can't you and your husband work things out ? " " Please , just process the paperwork , " Evelyn cut in , her voice soft but unyielding . " I need this divorce . " The clerk sighed and took the forms . " No - fault divorce requires a review process . You'll receive a notice with the details . " " Thank you , " Evelyn murmured , turning to leave . The wind stung her face as she walked home , icy and sharp . Only then did she realize her cheeks were wet - she'd been crying without noticing . Chapter 1 4.35 % She stopped , leaning against a weathered wall , and wiped her tears with fierce determination . Evelyn , don't cry , she told herself . From now on , you're on your own . You have to rely on yourself . But the tears kept coming , maybe because her mind drifted back to the first day she met Graham . She was thirteen , climbing a tree to raid a bird's nest , when she fell . He caught her , steady and strong , in his crisp uniform , looking like he'd stepped out of a magazine . Later , when he visited her father , she'd hide behind the curtain , stealing glances at the handsome , stoic " uncle " who made her young heart flutter . Years later , as her father lay dying , he gripped Graham's hand , placed hers in it , and with tears in his eyes said , " Graham , do me this one favor . I can't rest easy leaving Evelyn alone . Will you ... take care of her ? Marry her , and I can go in peace . " Graham had looked at her for a long moment before giving a solemn nod . On their wedding day , he stood tall in his sharp military uniform , his insignias gleaming , his gaze deep and steady . Evelyn , in her white gown , waited under the floral arch , fingers nervously twisting the hem of her dress , her heart pounding like it might burst . That night , he came home early to their new shared house and sat on the edge of their bed , looking at her with quiet intensity . " Evelyn , " he began , his voice low and rich , carrying that crisp military edge , " there's something I need to make clear before we start this . " She looked up at him , shy and uncertain . " You're young , and you haven't been through love before . I'm different , " he said , pausing . " I had someone , years ago . She chose to study art in the Silverpeak Federation , chasing her dreams . I stayed here in the Northwyn Republic , stationed at Evermont Base . " " We wanted different things , so we parted ways . But you don't need to worry . I married you , and I'll take responsibility for you . I'll treat you well , and I won't have anything to do with her anymore . " His words were frank , almost detached - and oddly , that reassured her . She thought of her father's dying wish , of the years she'd spent secretly admiring him , and gave a small nod . " Okay , " she whispered . Chapter 1 44.35 % He let out a soft sigh , then reached out , his calloused fingers slowly unzipping her wedding dress . When his rough fingertips brushed her skin , they both shivered slightly . He was her first . His movements were careful , patient , gentler than his years might suggest . Even when he grew firm , he held back , mindful not to overwhelm her . When pain brought tears to her eyes , he kissed them away , his voice hoarse as he soothed her . " Shh , it'll be over soon , sweetheart . " In the days that followed , Graham spoiled her like she was his own daughter , and she let herself sink into that warmth again and again . But now ? One sentence from Sophie- " I'm divorced " -was enough to make him abandon her not once , but three times . He left her at her mother's funeral . He vanished when she lay injured in the hospital . He gave away the last token of her mother's love to another woman . She might be young , but she understood one thing : you can't build a home in someone else's heart when it's still occupied . So , Graham Sterling ? She was done with him . Chapter 1 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!