The Ice-Cold General Learned Regret in the Language of Roses Novel

Chapter 1 Everyone in Southport said Scarlett Jones was the city's wildest red rose - pale skin , knockout looks , and a flair for drama . In the year she was partying hardest overseas , her father yanked her back home with an overnight express letter marked URGENT . It held only one cold line : [ Come home at once . Marry Ethan Foster . ] Ethan Foster was the youngest rising star on the base - cool , restrained , almost ascetic , rigidly self - disciplined , the complete opposite of her in every way . She thrived on noise and crowds ; he preferred quiet and order .

She did whatever she liked and had a long history of reckless stunts , while he followed every rule to the letter , treating discipline like something carved in stone . She was bright and free - spirited , changing boyfriends the way other people changed clothes , and he was infamous for avoiding women altogether , never even brushing the hand of a female soldier under his command . Just thinking about marrying a man so straight - laced made her feel like she couldn't breathe . So , determined to blow up the wedding , Scarlett threw everything she had at the problem .

She partied and danced for three straight nights at a downtown club , hoping he'd finally back off , but he showed up in full dress uniform , and under all the curious stares , he calmly slung her onto his back and carried her home . She deliberately crashed into the base commander's front - yard fence , wanting him to see how outrageous she could be , but he went over in person to apologize , paid for the repairs , and buried the whole thing before it could spread .

She charged forward raising hell without a care , and he was always right behind her , quietly cleaning up whatever mess she left in her wake . This time , she'd gotten into another fight and was being held at the station . He had just finished a three - day emergency mission when he rushed over to bail her out , still in uniform , his eyes bloodshot with exhaustion . Looking at his tired but ramrod - straight back , Scarlett felt a rare urge to explain herself .

She wanted to say that this time she wasn't the one causing trouble , that the other guy had made a move on her first because he thought she was pretty , but before she could get the words out , Ethan was already in front of her , gently taking her hand . There was a tiny cut on the tip of her finger , something she hadn't even noticed , and he pulled a small Chapter 1 3.33 % 702 first - aid kit from his uniform pocket , lowered his head , disinfected the wound , and pressed a bandage over it . " Does it hurt ? " he asked .

In that moment , every excuse and argument Scarlett had prepared jammed in her throat . He lifted his gaze , his eyes steady . " I don't care how much trouble you cause or how big a mess you make . I can handle all of that . The only thing I care about is whether this - right here - hurts . " Does this hurt ... Scarlett's heart lurched , as if something had slammed into the softest part of her chest , shatter one of her defenses in an instant .

last All her life , whenever she got into trouble , her father only shouted about how embarrassing she was , and her stepmother only put on a fake show of telling her to act like a lady , but not once had anyone ever asked her if she was hurt , or if she felt wronged . With her voice gone hoarse , she heard herself say , " Ethan , we can get married . " Something like a flicker of light passed through his dark eyes . " But before that , I need to ask you something , " she pressed , her pride and possessiveness sharpening her tone . " Do you have anyone you've ever loved and couldn't have ?

My man has to belong to me completely . He doesn't get to have anyone else in his heart - past , present , or future . It can only be me . " Ethan's gaze locked onto hers , heavy and unwavering . " No. Only you . " So Scarlett married him . Southport's wildest red rose married the coldest , most untouchable officer in the entire military . After the wedding , one line started making the rounds in Southport's upper circles . Of all the people you could mess with , don't you dare mess with General Foster's wife , Scarlett Jones .

Because no matter how big a mess she made , that stone - faced grim reaper of a general would still be right behind her , always having her back and keeping the world from crashing down on her . Scarlett honestly believed that she'd melted that block of ice with her fire . Right up until the day she went out to the base to drop off some files Ethan had forgotten at home . As she reached the training grounds , she saw a cluster of officers gathered together in what looked like some sort of mixer , where the mood was loud and lively .

Chanter 1 3.33 % Ethan was surrounded by a few fellow officers , and it looked like he'd just lost a game and was being pushed into answering one of those truth - or - dare questions . Someone called out , loud and clear , " General Foster , come on - what's the biggest lie you've ever told in your life ? " The noise around them dipped , the group settling down as everyone turned to watch the commanding officer who was known for being rigidly honest .

Ethan was silent for a moment , his profile shadowed and hard under the lights , and then he picked up the coffee mug in front of him , took a sip , and finally spoke , his voice low but clear enough to carry right to where Scarlett had just stepped into the doorway . " Someone once asked me if I had someone I loved and couldn't have . " " I lied and told her no . " It was like a thunderclap going off inside her head . Scarlett froze where she stood , every drop of blood in her body turning to ice . He'd lied ? He had someone he loved and couldn't have ? Then why had he told her he didn't ?

Why had he married her at all ? A chill shot up from the soles of her feet and raced through her entire body , leaving her feeling like she'd been dropped into a block of ice , her limbs shaking from the cold . She was just about to storm over and demand an answer when one of his aides hurried to Ethan's side and murmured something in his ear . Ethan's usually composed face changed in an instant .

He shot to his feet so fast he didn't even pause to explain to anyone , snatched his uniform jacket from the back of his chair , and headed for the door , moving so quickly he left a gust of air in his wake . He didn't even notice her standing right there in the doorway . As he barreled past , his shoulder slammed hard into hers , and he didn't react at all , like every sense he had was locked onto a single target up ahead . Scarlett staggered from the hit , pain flaring in her shoulder , but the ache in her chest was even worse .

Chantor 1 3.33 % She swallowed the pain and the roiling questions in her gut and found herself following after him on instinct . She watched Ethan jump into a Jeep , the engine roaring to life before it shot out of the lot like an arrow . Scarlett immediately flagged down a car and ordered the driver to stay right on his tail . The vehicles finally stopped outside an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town . Ethan rushed inside with his aide on his heels , and Scarlett slipped in after them , keeping to the shadows .

Inside the warehouse , a wild - eyed kidnapper was holding a knife to a young woman's throat . The girl was wearing a simple , elegant dress and was sobbing so hard she looked heartbreakin like she might faint at any second . fragile , The moment Ethan saw her , his face darkened , and his voice held a barely noticeable tremor . Let her go . " The kidnapper let out an ugly laugh . " Knew I picked the right target !

Ethan , everyone out there says you spoil that out - of - control wife of yours , Scarlett , but I'm the only one who knows the person you really keep at the center of your world is her - Nora West . " Nora West ? Scarlett's heart dropped like a stone . The kidnapper kept shouting , " On that last border mission , because of you , my guys ended up dead or maimed ! Today , I'm going to make you feel what it's like to lose the person you love most ! " The veins on the back of Ethan's hand stood out , but his voice stayed as steady as he could make it . " I'm the one you want .

Let her go and take it out on me . " " Let her go ? Sure . " The kidnapper kicked a knife across the floor , the blade flashing coldly as it skidded to a stop at Ethan's feet . " Stab yourself in the chest . Then I'll think about letting her walk . " " No ! Ethan , don't ! " Nora wailed , shaking her head as tears streamed down her face . Ethan held her gaze for a long , deep second , and the look in his eyes was so full of feeling that Scarlett realized she had never once seen him look at her that way .

Then he bent , scooped up the knife , and drove it into his own chest without a moment's hesitation . In the shadows , Scarlett dug her nails so hard into her palms that she nearly broke the skin , and it was the only thing that kept her from screaming . He could actually try to kill himself - without hesitation - for another woman . admin