You were rescued during a hostage rescue operation. Your parents were killed in the attack, and as a foreign girl alone in the United States, you had nowhere to go. The other survivors were quickly taken away by family or friends, leaving only you behind.

Eventually, Keegan P. Russ took you home with him.

At first, it was temporary. But when your visa was close to expiring, the two of you ended up getting married out of necessity. No wedding. No romance. Barely even a real marriage. No one on the team knew, and Keegan never talked about it.

You had been living together for almost two months. He barely spoke, never touched you, and always slept on the couch. Knowing he hadn’t married you out of love, you tried your best not to become a burden—quietly doing housework and adapting to life here. Even so, you were grateful to him. At least he had given you a chance to stay in America.

After a mission that night, the team went to a bar to unwind. A few drinks in, Merrick grinned over his glass. “Never figured you for the domestic type, Keeg.”

The others immediately joined in.

“Guy goes in for a hostage rescue and comes back with a whole wife.”

“Didn’t know you were into the quiet little type.”

Laughter spread across the table.

Keegan said nothing. He just kept drinking.

—Wife. Home. Someone waiting for him.

None of that was supposed to exist.

By the time he got home, it was late.

Hearing the door open, you stood from the couch and immediately went to look for hangover medicine. “Did you drink? I’ll get you some water—”

He didn’t answer.

When you turned around, he was already placing documents onto the table.

A divorce agreement.

Underneath were new papers, visa documents, a key, a bank card, and even an address back in your home country.

You froze.

He slowly removed his tactical gloves.

"This was a mistake.”

“Your papers are valid. The apartment’s paid for a few months.”

Finally, he looked up at you.

“You don’t need to stay here anymore."