Third Person's POV
The conversation outside her room felt like a private exchange between lovers, with Halle as the unintentional third wheel.
She had never seen Terence like this before. Normally, he was all sharp edges—a constant frown and cold, unfeeling eyes. She had grown used to that version of him, believing he treated everyone the same.
But seeing him now, with his guard down around Darlene, was jarring.
It was clear that when people truly care for someone, they drop the pretense, exposing their most vulnerable selves. And Terence had made it abundantly clear who held his heart.
There were only two days left now. Tomorrow, Halle would leave Tanzania for good.
She glanced at the small gift box holding the Maasai beaded ornament she had spent the night stringing. A pang of sadness welled up inside her.
A sudden knock at the door broke her thoughts.
When she opened it and met Terence’s gaze, she instinctively hid the box behind her back.
This was the first time in two years he had come to her door.
Terence’s eyes swept the room, landing on the scattered clothes atop her bed. His heart suddenly clenched.
“Why are you packing?” he asked, a trace of unease in his voice.
Halle bit her lip and forced a smile. “You don’t need to worry about that. Your focus should be on Captain Benson and whatever plans you two have. Don’t waste your energy on me.”
Terence raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You already know? I wanted to surprise you,” he admitted with a smile.
That smile struck Halle like a blow.
Was news of his marriage to Captain Benson supposed to be a surprise for her?
The joy on his face was unmistakable as if he couldn’t wait to tell the world how happy he was. His cruelty wasn’t just in the announcement—it was in the way he delivered it, leaving no room for doubt or hope.
As such, her resolution solidified. By tomorrow, she would be gone, and none of this would matter anymore. It would just be a dream—a bittersweet, fleeting dream.
Steeling herself, Halle brought the gift box out from behind her.
But before she could say anything, Terence’s phone rang. He turned away to take the call, his expression shifting the moment he answered.
The voice on the other end was urgent. “Captain Bacchus, Captain Benson’s leg wound is infected. She’s in a lot of pain and can’t move. She might not be able to go on the mission.”
Terence’s brow furrowed deeply. “I’ll be there right away.”
Hearing this, Halle tucked the gift box into her pocket, grabbed the medical kit, and marched to the door.
“What are you waiting for? Let’s go!” she called over her shoulder.
Terence, momentarily stunned, quickly followed her.
After some basic treatment, the infection seemed under control.
“She shouldn’t move for now,” Halle advised the surrounding team members.
On the bed, Darlene tried to sit up despite the pain, her forehead slick with sweat.
“That won’t work,” she said firmly. “The poachers are set to move at dawn. We need to prepare our ambush this afternoon.”
Terence’s expression darkened as he snapped, “You’re staying here to recover. That’s an order!”
His frustration was palpable, his tone brooking no argument.
For the first time, Halle noticed the thin sheen of sweat on Terence’s forehead, despite the cold wind. It wasn’t from exertion but worry—a side of him she rarely, if ever, saw.
Darlene, however, was less than pleased with his decision. The two of them began arguing fiercely, their voices rising.
Eventually, Terence ordered everyone out of the room—including Halle.
Halle lingered outside, clutching the gift box in her pocket as she paced nervously.
The shouting stopped after a while. Curious, Halle peeked through the window.
Inside, Terence was gently wiping sweat from Darlene’s brow, his face etched with worry and tenderness.
It was a stark contrast to the Terence she knew.
Not when she was held at gunpoint during their first meeting. Not when she got lost in the mountains, drenched and terrified.
The Terence she saw now was someone entirely different—a man who showed his care openly, without reservation. But it was the care that was never meant for her.
