Chapter 1 My mom always taught me " Baby , there are tons of guys out there - if he cheats , kick him to the curb.1 ] So when I saw that video of my arranged fiancé Major Garrett Steele , all cozy with his precious little protégé . I didn't hesitate for one second [ ] 1 Canceled our engagement and caught the first red eye to Vegas , where I booked eight male strippers for the night [ ] What I didn't expect ? Garrett ditched his military war games and new to Vegas with his entire unit , trapping me outside the club like it was some covert mission . ] A thousand soldiers turned to watch . Dead silence . [ ] Their ice cold , no - nonsense Major was standing there with tears running down his cheeks , voice shaking as he pleaded " Madison , I was rescuing her , not cheating on you ! Just watch the full video before you give up on me ! " ) ] The first thing I did after finding out about my arranged marriage to Garrett was keep it completely under wraps . [ ] Because the day before meeting the Steele family , I accidentally overheard him talking to his buddies . ] " Dude , if you actually go through with this arranged marriage thing , Scarlett Rivers is gonna lose her SHIT and fly back from the border . " ] Scarlett Rivers was Garrett Steele's little protège - both came up through Delta together . ] During that evacuation mission years ago , Garrett took a terrorist's blade to the arm saving her - cut went straight to bone . ] Later when the higher - ups caught wind that their relationship was getting a little too cozy for comfort , they shipped Scarlett off to another base real quick . ] So when both our families brought up this whole arranged marriage deal , I stared at Garrett for the longest time . But his eyes ? Cold as a frozen lake - not even a ripple . [ ] Finally , I nodded first . " Yeah , I'll do it . But I've got one condition - keep this engagement thing completely on the down - low . " 1 Everyone in the room went dead silent . Even Garrett raised an eyebrow . Meeting everyone's stares , I kept my voice flat as steel : " I don't want my marriage turning into gossip fodder for the base wives ' coffee klatch . " ] The day I moved into Garrett's place on base , I'd just wheeled my last suitcase through the door when I spun around and blocked his hand from helping . We need to get something straight right now , " I said , watching the surprise flicker in his eyes . " I can't STAND Scarlett Rivers , and I sure as hell won't put up with you being with me while your heart's still hung up on someone else . " ] Garrett actually laughed at that , his thumb brushing over my flushed earlobe . ] That touch had all that steady military strength behind it , but his eyes went soft like melted chocolate : " Relax , Maddie . You're the only one I'll ever have room for in my heart . ] With that , he leaned down and kissed me , the warm light in the room turning everything molten . That whole crazy night , I kept wanting to push him away and ask " Do you really mean that ? ' ] but seeing bow serious he looked , I swallowed the words every time . [ ] For the next three years , he was nothing put gentle with me . ] Every time he came back from a mission , no matter how late , he'd bring me white roses . [ ] Hell , 1 mentioned ONCE that I was craving those sugar donuts from downtown , and he drove forty miles after morning PT just to get them for me Whenever we fought he was always the nest to apologize . [ ] He treated nur like I was rude of glass , gave me everything I wanted ] I slowly let my guard down , even started planning our spring wedding with him . [ ] but then Scarlett came back ! And Isum that day un , Garren - who NEVER went MLA during his downtime - started working late " all the damn time ) First line : 10 PM text saying Emergency briching , dan't wall upl Second time He stunned hug af 1 AM , and I noticed red dirt on his combat boots - definitely not from the training grounds The third Dow , I was scrolling through the Lowe's internal forum at 2AM when I saw the post * Mayer Meske packing up Lieutenant Rivers at the airfield after midnigta The play showed Garrett in las black tactical gear standing on the tarmac while Scadett ran atraight into his artus . His hand out her back in that soothing gesture - I knew that huve way too well . ] Before Teatretch the page , the counwaits seithio | XPLODED | Surat prated " Starlett and the Mapa are mail to be , right ? He almost hat his arm saving het as back in the day whe woulda ship that ? 1 That Kuent and the Major's arranged marriage has gotta be A Scarlet bly hig fight Mipa my jdoor buson || Chapter 1 It was a missed call from Garrett from thirty minutes ago . I'd been too chicken to answer [ ] When I called back , all I got was dead air . ] Tried again . Finally , he picked up , voice rough as gravel . Tm busy " Two words that cut through me like ice picks . ] Title: Cooking My Way Back to Love Author: CrushReel Genre: Modern, Revenge, Drama Status: ongoing In "Cooking My Way Back to Love" by CrushReel, Chef Leon Kennedy, once renowned as the "King of Cooking," spirals into despair following his wife's tragic demise in a car accident. Plunged into homelessness, he clings to his loyal dog as his sole anchor amidst loss and desolation. Amidst the ruins of his former life, Leon grapples with profound grief and seeks solace in the art of cooking—the very passion that once defined him. As he navigates the shadows of his past, themes of resilience, redemption, and the unyielding power of love intertwine in this modern tale of heartache and rebirth. Set against a backdrop of culinary mastery and emotional turmoil, "Cooking My Way Back to Love" delves into the depths of human emotion with raw authenticity. CrushReel skillfully crafts a narrative that captures the essence of loss and the arduous journey toward healing in a world marked by tragedy and shattered dreams. Experience the transformative journey of Chef Leon Kennedy as he rediscovers his purpose through the alchemy of flavors and emotions. Available to read online at CrushReel, this gripping drama promises a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.