Their eyes met, and it felt like an eternity. Despite spending so much time together in the past, this first nce after their long separation felt particrly precious.


    Tears welled up in Nina''s eyes. Seeing him safe and sound mattered more than any words.


    She didn''t step forward, trying hard to control her emotions. Beforeing here, she had often wondered if they would ever see each other again. Just seeing him was already a blessing. Compared to his safety, her grievances seemed insignificant.


    They didn''t approach each other. From a distance, their eyes conveyed all the longing they felt.


    "Captain York," a soldier called out, breaking the moment. "Everyone''s waiting for you inside."


    Nash turned back. "Right," he replied and walked inside without hesitation.


    Nina stayed where she was, watching until his figure disappeared. A sense of loss filled her heart, but she reminded herself that they were divorced. No disappointment could surpass the heartbreak of receiving the divorce papers from him.


    She stood outside for a long time, trying to regain herposure. Instead of returning to her tent, she noticed a group of soldiers around a campfire. They were cooking something in a ckened pot over the fire.


    In this remote vige, the residents relied on primitive cooking methods. The soldiers'' setup was even more basic. A simple campfire and a worn-out pot that seemed to be a hand-me-down.


    She approached them, and one of the soldiers greeted her warmly, "Miss, how are your injuries?"Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    "I''m fine now," Nina replied with a smile. "I''m Nina Walker. You can just call me Nina."


    "Alright, Miss Walker," the soldier said politely. "Have you eaten? You can join us. We''re just waiting for Captain York and the others toe out so we can start."


    The soldiers, all men, did their best to cook a decent meal despite their tough conditions. Nina took some firewood and helped stoke the fire. ncing at the food they were preparing, she asked, "Is this all you have to eat?"


    The soldier, sleeves rolled up as he peeled potatoes, answered cheerfully, "Yes, this is our dinner. The vigers gave us this food. In this remote area, having something to eat is already good. Many ces have nothing."


    Hearing this, Nina felt a pang of sorrow. This wasn''t her home country. Though it wasn''t the wealthiest ce, at least no one went hungry. In this war-torn


    country, having enough to earl


    was a viges


    luxury. She had seen many rayaged by conflict, leaving countless people homeless and


    struggling for food.


    Just then, the door opened, and a group of soldiers came out, still fully armed.


    "Just in time, dinner''s ready!" one of the soldiers announced cheerfully.


    They responded with simr enthusiasm, "Let''s eat!"


    The soldiers found simple ces to sit, some on the ground, others on the vehicles. They distributed the food, and everyone started eating without hesitation.


    Nina watched them, filled with admiration for their resilience. The food was basic, and the rice was a bit ck, far from the usual white rice she was used to. She couldn''t quite tell what was in it.