Chapter 10 288 iVouchers. Chapter 10 When Emmaline woke again, she was in a hospital bed. She felt her body had been torn apart and stitched back to- gether. Every muscle ached; even breathing hurt. From the corridor, she caught the nurses' cheerful chatter. "Did you hear? Juanita passed the retention exam!" "No way! Wasn't she... Ugh, never mind. Word is, Major Hinchcliffe went straight to Mr. Moran..." "Lucky girl, huh?" The words stung. Emmaline closed her eyes, a wave of bitter irony washing over her.' Zachary appeared at the doorway but didn't step inside. His tone was flat, almost clinical. "Nita passed her exam. I promised to take her to Niagara Falls for a few days to celebrate. She's your student, so technically you should be the one celebrating with her, but since you can't move, I'll handle it." Without so much as a glance, he turned and walked away. His words cut deep. If he was so keen on doting on Juanita, Emmaline thought, let him play caretaker for the rest of her life. While she lay in the hospital, piecing herself back together, Zachary was off gallivanting with Juanita, not sparing a single thought for her. By the time she was discharged, it was already the day she was scheduled to leave for her overseas assignment. Stephen came to see her off, his presence warm and steady. He clapped a hand on her shoulder, his voice rich with encouragement. "Emma, go out there and soak up everything you can. I know one day you will come back and make our country proud!" Emmaline nodded solemnly. "I will, Mr. Moran. You have my word." Then she reached into her bag, pulling out a sealed envelope. "Please, could you give this to Zachary for me?" Stephen looked puzzled but agreed. Without looking back, Emmaline walked away, climbing into the car bound for the airport. She was flying toward a future that finally belonged to her. Two days later, Zachary figured Emmaline's injuries must've healed enough for her to be discharged. He headed to the hospital to pick her up and finalize their wedding plans. But when he reached her room, he found it was empty, the bed stripped and pristine. Frowning, he assumed she'd returned to work and made his way to her office. There, Emmaline's desk was bare. All her personal belongings, her books, and even the little pot of ivy she'd tended so care- fully were gone. A cold dread gripped him. As Stephen passed by, Zachary grabbed his arm. "Mr. Moran, where's Emma? Her stuff- it's all gone. Where is she?" Stephen looked surprised. "Zack, you didn't know? Emma didn't tell you? She left two days ago for her government- sponsored study abroad." "Study abroad?" Zachary froze, his voice cracking. "When did she decide this? Why didn't anyone tell me?" Stephen sighed, pulling an envelope from his pocket. "She asked me to give this to you. Read it yourself." 0.0 % 10:01 Chapter To With trembling hands, Zachary tore it open. 288 Vouchers Inside was a single sheet of paper, its bold title staring back at him. It was an annulment letter of the engagement agreement. 94.0 % 10:01