Elise Quietly Mingles at Tessa's Engagement Party
Tessa's fingers dug into my arm as she whispered, “If anyone asks about your job, keep it vague. No one needs to know about that boring government thing.”
I nodded, pulling away. “Got it.”
The backyard was a sea of white-linen tables and smiling faces. String lights cast a warm glow, and the jazz trio’s melodies drifted through the air. I made my way to a quiet corner, hoping to blend in.
Aunt Beth spotted me first. “Well, if it isn’t Elise! Working hard at that government job, I hope.”
“Still doing it,” I said with a smile.
Across the yard, Tessa laughed loudly at something Cole said. Her engagement ring sparkled in the light, and the guests were all eyes and ears, hanging on her every word. My parents beamed with pride, their attention focused entirely on her.
I sipped my champagne, feeling the familiar weight of being the forgotten sister. It was a role I had perfected over the years.
Uncle Mark wandered over, his gaze lingering on Tessa. “She’s going to be the perfect Navy SEAL wife. You know, Elise, it’s a shame you didn’t follow a similar path.”
“Everyone has their own journey,” I replied, keeping my tone light.
The tension in the air was palpable, like a storm brewing just beyond the horizon. I knew I had to keep up the façade, but the weight of the secret I carried grew heavier with each passing minute.
“Elise, dear, come say hello to the general,” my mother called from across the yard.
I took a deep breath and made my way over, forcing a smile. The general’s eyes were kind, but I could see the curiosity behind them. “It’s lovely to meet you, Elise. Your sister tells us such wonderful things about your fiancé, Cole.”
I nodded, keeping my response short. “Yes, he seems very accomplished.”
Tessa shot me a look, her eyes narrowing. “Elise is just being modest. She’s been so supportive of us.”
“Of course,” I said, my voice steady. “I’m happy for you, Tessa.”
The general’s smile faltered slightly. “And what about your job, Elise? I’m sure it’s fascinating.”
“Logistics, mostly,” I replied, hoping to steer the conversation away from me.
Tessa’s fiancé, Cole, appeared at the edge of the yard, flanked by his SEAL team. The sight of them sent a shiver down my spine.
Cole Ramsey Arrives with His SEAL Team
Cole’s presence was commanding, even from a distance. His team, a group of hardened soldiers, moved with a sense of purpose, their eyes scanning the crowd.
As Cole’s gaze swept the room, it landed on me. Time seemed to slow. His eyes widened in recognition, and a flash of surprise crossed his face.
“Frostline One,” he said, his voice low but carrying through the gentle chatter.
The nickname hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The guests around us fell silent, their eyes darting between Cole and me.
“Cole?” Tessa’s voice was a mix of confusion and warning.
He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “It’s really you. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
A chill ran down my spine. The last time he had called me by that name, we were in the middle of a rescue mission, miles from civilization. The weight of that moment pressed down on me, and I felt a突如其来的心跳加速。
“What’s going on?” Tessa demanded, her voice rising.
Cole’s intense stare held me in place. In that moment, the world seemed to pause, and the only thing that mattered was the connection we shared, forged in the most dangerous of circumstances.
