The photo was of Landon and me having dinner last month.

My face was crystal clear, while Landon’s was just a blurry profile.

Renee cursed the tabloid reporter for having no professional ethics.

Before I could even react, Landon walked out and dialed a number on the landline.

His voice was cold. "Kill the story from the *L.A. Chronicle*."

He hung up, grabbed his clothes, and left.

The door slammed shut, and the room fell silent.

I was in a daze, my heart feeling like a gaping hole had been punched through it.

I knew that with Landon’s status as a captain, no one would dare publish that photo now.

But for a moment, I had wanted to ask him if we could just admit to it.

After all, next month… it was time for him to fulfill his promise.

I picked up the newspaper and looked at it again, and a dreadful realization dawned on me, my heart sinking.

The restaurant Landon and I went to that day was a private establishment.

The owner was a close friend of mine; there was no way a reporter could have gotten in.

There was only one other person there—my sister, Zoe, who had insisted on coming along, whining that she wanted to meet her "future brother-in-law."

I immediately called her. "Zoe, did you take that picture and sell it to the papers?"

Her voice on the other end was staticky, but I could still make out her nonchalant tone.

"I did. You wouldn't lend me money for my boyfriend's startup, so I had to find a way to make some myself!"

I fought to control my anger. "Zoe, that man is just using you! He doesn't love you at all—"

"Landon doesn't love you either, sister."

*Click.*

She hung up.

I stood there, frozen, her last words piercing my heart like a shard of ice.

I closed my eyes, took out my medication, and quickly swallowed a few pills.

Lying in bed, I thought back to ten years ago.

After we started dating, Landon promised we would get married when he turned thirty.

That single promise had gotten me through the last decade.

But now, did that promise still count?

Two days later, my tour began.

Fans from all over the country flocked to the venue.

I poured my heart into every performance. People said I was weaving gorgeous, brilliant dreams for them.

Right after the first show, I received an invitation to perform at a charity event.

As if by fate, the first stop was at Fort Irwin, Landon's base.

After the photo incident, we hadn't seen each other for over half a month.

He hadn't replied to any of my texts or letters.

*He must be on a mission.*

That's what I always told myself.

I finally returned to L.A., but as soon as I got home, I received a call.

It was my mother, whom I hadn't seen in over a year.

"Elara, you must have made a fortune from your concert! Hurry up and send some money to your mother!"

Along with her demanding tone, I could hear the clatter of poker chips in the background.

My breath caught in my throat, as if I were being strangled.

"Are you gambling again?" Before she could answer, I clutched the phone tightly. "Mom, I told you I'll only give you money if you stop."

With that, I steeled my heart and hung up.

After sitting in silence for a while, I got up and walked to the window, looking across the street at Fort Irwin.

The desire to see Landon reached its peak at that moment.

I immediately bundled myself up, covering myself from head to toe, and went to the base.

In my hand, I carried a box of Swiss chocolates I had a friend bring back for me.

In Europe, it was popular for couples to exchange chocolates, so I had specially brought them for Landon.

The guard at the gate knew about my relationship with Landon and took me directly to the training grounds.

Soon, I saw Landon surrounded by a crowd of soldiers.

He looked like he had just finished a round of drills, his olive-green tank top soaked through.

Just as I was about to step forward, a petite figure beat me to it, walking up to Landon.

The girl was also in uniform. It was Lila Monroe, a performer for the base.

She stood on her tiptoes to wipe the sweat from Landon’s forehead, her smile radiant. "You worked hard!"

The group of soldiers around them immediately erupted in a roar of cheers that could have torn the roof off. "See? Only the Captain's girl really cares about him!"