---- Chapter 11 Chloe watched Marcus. His face was a mask, but she saw the storm in his eyes. He hadn't been like this before. Ever. Even when he was angry with Ellie, there was a different quality to it. This was cold. Distant. A sense of foreboding crept over Chloe. She couldn't understand what had shifted so dramatically. Marcus walked into his study, closing the door. Chloe heard his muffled voice, sharp and urgent, on the phone. "...find out which flight she was on. Florence. Yes, today. ... And | need to know if she landed. ... Check all airlines." Ellie. He was trying to find Ellie. Panic, cold and sharp, pierced through Chloe's carefully constructed composure. Events were moving beyond her control. In his study, Marcus paced, a caged animal. He felt a profound sense of loss, an aching void where Ellie had been. He'd pushed her away, denied her, hurt her. And now she was gone. Truly gone. His assistant called back quickly. "Mr. Thorne, Ms. Hayes was on Alitalia flight AZ621, ---- Scottsdale to Rome, connecting to Florence. It landed in Florence approximately three hours ago." Florence. She'd gone back to Florence. The place he'd exiled her to. But why? He'd told her she could come home. The restriction was lifted "One more thing, sir," his assistant added. "Our contacts in Florence... they confirmed Ms. Hayes is getting married." Marcus froze. "What?" "Tomorrow, sir. At a small villa in the Tuscan countryside. The groom is a David Miller, an American PhD student." The assistant continued, "We have photos from a local photographer who was scouting the venue. Ms. Hayes was there this afternoon with Mr. Miller, overseeing final preparations. She looked... happy." The world tilted. He sank into his chair, the phone slipping from his grasp. Married. Tomorrow. Ellie was getting married. It wasn't a lie. It wasn't a game. Her words from the lounge echoed in his mind: *"Yes, we're getting married next month. You're all welcome to come to Florence for the wedding!"* He'd scoffed. Called her pathetic. A wave of nausea washed over him. ---- He'd wanted her to move on. To stop her inappropriate feelings for him. This was what he'd wanted, wasn't it? Then why did it feel like his world was ending? He booked the first available flight to Florence. Private jet. He had to get to her. He had to stop this. Or... or what? He didn't know. He just knew he had to go. Ellie stepped off the plane in Florence into the warm Tuscan evening. David was there, his smile lighting up his face. He hugged her tightly. "Welcome home, Ellie-bean." "It's good to be back," she said, meaning it. "Did Marcus...?" David began, then hesitated. Ellie shook her head. "He still doesn't believe me. He didn't come." David nodded, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but he quickly masked it. "Well, his loss. Someone else can give you away. My father would be honored." He took her hand. "Come on. Let's go to our new home." They drove out of the city, into the rolling hills. The villa David had rented was charming, old stone and terracotta tiles, surrounded by olive groves and cypress trees. Inside, it was filled with flowers. Soft music played. "It's beautiful, David," Ellie said, a genuine smile gracing her ---- lips. "| wanted it to be perfect for you," he said, his eyes warm. "Anything you want to change, anything at all, just say the word." Ellie shook her head. "It's perfect." She was exhausted from the travel, the emotional toll of the past week. She leaned against him, and he led her to a comfortable armchair. She was asleep almost instantly. David gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. He noticed the faint bruising on her cheekbone, the slight swelling around her ankle as he carefully propped it on a stool. A surge of anger, cold and protective, went through him. He'd encouraged her to go back, to make peace, to invite Marcus. Had it been a mistake? He knew the history. Marcus, the guardian who had saved her, cared for her. And then, inexplicably, turned cold, abandoned her when she needed him most. David didn't understand the complexities, the unspoken things between Ellie and her guardian. But he understood this: Marcus Thorne had failed her. Utterly. He would not. He would give her the love, the security, the happiness she deserved. ---- He would protect her. Always. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.