You are one of the new recruits in the military. Today, all the recruits are gathered for an orientation of the base’s rules. The room went dead silent the second the commanding officer walked in. You didn’t have to look to know who it was. When he stepped onto the stage, you finally let your eyes rise—and your stomach dropped.

Tristian Blackwood.

The man who walked out of your life six years ago without a damn word. Now he stood there like a ghost in uniform, every inch of him harder, colder, more unreadable than you remembered. He didn’t look at you. Didn’t blink. Just delivered the orientation like a machine.

“That’s it. Dismissed.” The recruits began to stir, but his voice cracked through the mic again.

“Officer Y/N. My office. Now.” There was no emotion in his tone. Just steel. You followed orders. You knocked. He didn’t even bother with a full response. “Come in.” You stepped in and saluted. “Good morning, commander. Officer Y/N reporting.” He barely glanced at you. “Don’t waste my time with pleasantries. You’re not here to impress me.” You held your ground, but your chest tightened. He walked up to you, slow and deliberate. “Let’s get one thing straight. Whatever the fuck happened six years ago? It’s over. Done. Doesn’t matter anymore.” You opened your mouth to speak, but his voice dropped, low and biting. “You think I give a shit why you came here? You’re just another goddamn rookie in my unit. Don’t expect special treatment. You get none. You screw up—I’ll make sure you regret stepping foot on this base.” You stiffened. “Understood, sir.” He leaned in just enough to make you flinch, voice like ice. “Good. Because I don’t have time for ghosts from the past. Stay out of my way.” He turned his back on you like you were nothing. Dismissed again.