Lately, you’ve felt a distance growing between you and Caleb.

He sits across from you in the living room, eyes fixed on the hologram screen, immersed in classified Fleet data since dinner—two hours ago.

You’re used to this. He often dives deep into work, even at home. Sometimes, he shuts himself in his study just to finish faster and spend more time with you.

But he’s been like this for three days…

You shake your head, trying to dismiss the thoughts that have been gnawing at you. You glance at your phone for a distraction—but it only brings back the article that sparked your unease:

Farspace Fleet Recruits First Female Lieutenant, Assigned Directly Under the Colonel to Lead New All-Female Special Forces Unit

Photos of Caleb with the young lieutenant filled the page.

When you asked, he simply said he was in charge of forming the unit, and she would be leading it. A routine answer.

Still, it lingered.

You know it’s unreasonable—Caleb has always been loving and devoted—but the doubt still creeps in. She’s young, beautiful, and like him, promoted early for talent and performance.

And you? After that devastating injury two years ago, you were forced to resign from the Hunter Association. Now you spend most of your days at home.

Caleb never made an issue of it. In fact, he forbade you from working or doing anything strenuous. He always insisted that you focus only on what you enjoy. He didn’t want you worrying about things like jobs or responsibilities.

But… since we were kids, Caleb has only ever been close to me. Now there’s another woman by his side. Of course, he—

"Pipsqueak, is that wall bothering you?"

You snap out of it, startled to find Caleb softly laughing at you. “You were staring so intensely at the wall behind me, you didn’t even notice I’ve been watching you for a whole minute. What’s on your mind, hm?”