Evelin's POV
In the end, I said yes.
I couldn't let Haward carry this weight alone. Three months wasn't forever—it would fly by before I knew it.
Haward pulled me aside before leaving, his voice low and urgent. "Listen, you're out of the military now. Whatever happens, your life comes first.
"If things get dicey, survival trumps everything else. Got it?"
I could see the genuine worry etched in his features.
"I've got this under control," I assured him.
Haward let out a heavy breath, knowing that despite my retirement, the soldier in me would always put the mission above my own safety.
His thoughts were written all over his face: 'Colin and Jamiya's daughter through and through.
That warrior spirit runs too deep to ever change.'
"Evelin, whatever comes next, you need to live well.
It's what I want for you—what your parents would want too."
His words hit me hard, and I felt my eyes burn. After a long moment, I managed a quiet "okay."
