An Unforgiving Love

Chapter 7- Trusting the Distance

The next morning, Lucas woke early, his mind focused on the day ahead. As he dressed in his uniform, he felt the familiar sense of duty settle in. He checked his gear one last time, lacing up his boots with practiced ease. The morning light filtered through the window, casting a soft glow over his home, and he paused for a moment, thinking about the last few days with Bella. Her smile, her laughter, and that unexpected kiss still lingered in his thoughts.

But now, it was time to head back to the base.

He grabbed his duffel bag, slung it over his shoulder, and stepped out the door, his military focus kicking in as he started the engine of his car. The drive to the base was quiet, with the morning traffic light. Lucas couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing as he thought about Bella. She had made these last few days unforgettable, and even though his mind was on his responsibilities, she was always there in the background, giving him a reason to look forward to coming home.

Arriving at the base, he parked and took a deep breath, pushing personal thoughts aside. Duty called, and Lucas knew what he had signed up for. As he entered the gates, the familiar sight of his fellow soldiers and the sound of drills echoed around him, bringing a sense of comfort. This was where he belonged, at least for now.

Despite the intensity of his work, Bella’s image kept surfacing in his mind. The challenge of balancing his career and personal life was something he had accepted long ago, but this time it felt different. With Bella, it felt like there was more at stake.

As he made his way to the briefing room, Lucas mentally prepared himself for the day ahead. The mission was important, but in the back of his mind, he knew that when this was over, he would return to something just as important—someone who was waiting for him, someone worth fighting for beyond the battlefield.

For now, he was focused. But he was already counting down the days until he could see her again.

Bella stood in front of the bathroom mirror, towel wrapped around her as she dried her hair, preparing for another long day at the morgue. The weekend had been a whirlwind, and despite the lingering sadness that Lucas had gone back to the base, she felt an undercurrent of excitement as she thought about their time together.

She dressed in her usual professional attire, her mind drifting to Lucas’s text from earlier that morning, wishing her a good day. It was a simple message, but it meant the world to her, reminding her that even with the unpredictability of his career, he was thinking about her. She smiled at the thought as she tied her hair back into a neat bun, ready to tackle her work.

Once dressed, she made her way to the kitchen for a quick breakfast. As she sipped her coffee, her mind shifted gears, focusing on the case files she had reviewed the night before. Today was going to be a busy day, with several autopsies lined up. Her work as a forensic pathologist demanded focus and precision, and though it could be emotionally taxing, Bella found a sense of purpose in her role.

Heading out the door, she grabbed her keys and her bag, feeling the weight of the day ahead but also the grounding reassurance that she was doing what she loved.

As she arrived at the morgue, the familiar cool air and sterile scent greeted her. She quickly changed into her lab coat, ready to get started. The first body had already been prepped, and Bella moved into her professional mode, her hands steady and her mind sharp. Each case was different, each body a puzzle that she had to solve, and though it could be grim, she found solace in bringing clarity and answers to the loved ones left behind.

But today, unlike most days, there was something different. There was a lightness in her step, a reminder that life wasn’t just about work anymore. She had Lucas in her thoughts now, and the possibility of something new, something real, was enough to make even the toughest day seem a little brighter.