Chapter 9 Unacceptable Five minutes later , Edward sent the precise address , along with a note to stay safe .
She didnt reply .
Her focus was locked on the navigation as she floored the gas pedal .
Julian , you better be okay , she whispered , her voice fierce with determination .
Even if were headed for divorce , I wont let you die over some misunderstanding .
She floored the accelerator .
The GPS estimated an hours drive .
Elizabeth made it in forty minutes .
The closer she got to the wildfires epicenter , the heavier her heart grew .
Even from a distance , the acrid stench of charred wood and ash stung her nostrils .
As she got closer , she could see the scorched landscape all around .
Near the mountainside , everything , trees , and soil alike , was a bleak , charcoal black .
Chapter 9 Unacceptable Looking at the devastating scene , Elizabeth felt as though she was already hearing news of Julians death .
Her heart lodged in her throat .
With one final press of the accelerator , she reached the site .
She hadnt made it to the fires core .
The road ended here .
Elizabeth leaped out of the car , her eyes immediately locking onto a cluster of fire trucks nearby .
Not far off , a makeshift camp of tents hummed with activity , figures in firefighting gear moving among them .

This is it ! Her pulse quickened as she hurried toward the camp .
But within moments , the faint sound of sobbing reached her ears , drifting from the tents .
Her heart stuttered , and she quickened her pace , urgency driving her forward .
Julian , Im here ! she murmured under her breath .
Please , you have to be okay .
2/6 As she reached the camp , a sight unfolded that stole her breath and shattered her composure .
Chapter 9 Unacceptable 3/6 Amid the bustle of firefighters , groups of locals , ordinary people , likely from nearby towns , gathered in clusters , their faces .
streaked with tears .
Each group huddled around a figure draped in a white sheet .
Elizabeth saw , under some of those sheets , the sleeves of fire suits sticking out .
The scene hit her like a physical blow , rendering her speechless .
Her legs wobbled , threatening to give out .
She couldnt bear to imagine Julian lying beneath one of those sheets .
Words swirled in her mind , desperate to spill out , but the tragedy before her , a raw , human sorrow , choked them back .
She refused to accept this .
Julian , are you here ? Her eyes brimmed with tears , her composure unraveling .
Throwing aside any concern for propriety or her beliefs , she rushed forward , lifting the unclaimed sheets one by one , checking each face .
Not him .
Not him either … Chapter 9 Unacceptable .
4/6 In less than a minute , shed confirmed several identities , none of them Julian .

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But relief cluded her .
Too many bodies lay covered , and too many possibilities remained .
Unbeknownst to Elizabeth , at the camps edge , a man in a sool streaked fire suit had just returned , carrying an injured civilian .
When he spotted her , he froze .
Elizabeth ? What is she doing here ? I rubbed my eyes , half convinced I was seeing things .
But there she was , the striking woman Id once called my though now , she felt more like my ex .
Is she looking for me ? wife , I stood rooted in the shadows , watching as Elizabeth frantically lifted sheet after sheet , her face etched with desperation .
Id never seen her so rattled , so consumed with worry for me .
For a fleeting moment , her past coldness , indifference , the distance , faded from my memory .
I stared , transfixed .
Chapter 9 Unacceptable Does she still love me ? 5/6 The thought sparked an impulse to call out to her , to close the gap between us .
But as I took a step forward , I stopped short .
A vivid memory flashed through my mind .
I still remembered .
how Elizabeth , in front of everyone , affirmed her bond with Callum , and how their lips met in a tender kiss .
The pain of it stabbed me anew , halting me in my tracks .
No.
Its impossible .
Ms.

Bennett , love me ? She probably saw my letter and got pissed that I dared to leave her first .
Thats why shes here , to settle the score .
The memory of that farewell letter steadied my heart , cooling the fleeting warmth Id felt .
When I looked at Elizabeth again , her frantic movements no longer stirred me .
Let her do what she wants .
Ive made my choice to walk away .
Theres no turning back .
Whether she loves me , hates me , or came here to confront me … it doesnt matter anymore .
The Julian who lived for her , who doted on her every need , died Chapter 9 Unacceptable in that wildfire .
The man standing here now is a new Julian .
And in this new life , theres no room for Elizabeth .
6/6 With that resolve , I slipped away , moving to a corner of the camp where she wouldnt see me .
I threw myself back into the cleanup work , my focus unwavering .
I wasnt worried about my teammates recognizing her .
Elizabeth , ever devoted to her spiritual practice , had never attended my work gatherings as my wife .
None of my colleagues knew we were married .
From a distance , I saw her stirring chaos , lifting sheets in at frenzy , only to be scolded by grieving families whod come to claim their loved ones .
She left the camp , her figure retreating , broken and lost .
I watched her vanish , my heart calm , untouched .