Chapter 1 He claimed he couldnt marry her .
A wifes duties would cage her : preparing daily meals , tending to husband and children , serving in laws .
He said he loved her too much to limit her freedom .
I stared at the screen , my chest tightening until I could barely breathe .
Yet I remained silent , composed .
The next morning , I returned to the TV station .
What Jackson didnt know was that I had my own form waiting to write a transfer request to become a war doctor in Continent of Azora .
As I signed my name , I drew in a deep breath .
The one I truly loved still waited on those distant battlefields .
I was going to find him .
Youre returning to medicine ?! The startled voice echoed through the hospital hallway that morning .
I handed over my reassignment papers with steady hands .
Yes , Id like a permanent position in the Nyara Republic .
The director paused , taking the form .
His brow furrowed as he read .
Zoey … He exhaled softly , searching for words .
Your work in the Nyara Republic three years ago was exceptional .
But now ? Youre on marriage leave ! Youre about to be married how can you make such a risk ? He watched me , expecting justification .
I lowered my gaze , fingers intertwined .

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Im not getting married anymore .
What ? His face registered shock .
Meeting his eyes firmly , I stated , Im calling off the wedding .
The night before , Jackson had gone shopping for wedding tableware , asking me to send him the list from his computer .
Opening the Wedding Plans folder , Id stumbled upon another spreadsheet his relationship ledger .
Six women , each meticulously cataloged : height , appearance , family background , personality traits .
My entry topped the list .
Name : Zoey Background : Orphan , limited social connections 17:42 Backup Girl No More : Adios To My V Card and My First Love 15.6 % Chapter 1 .
Personality : Dutiful , maternal , unambitious Notes : Proficient in household duties , suitable for childbearing Highlighted in yellow : Ideal for marriage My fingers hovered over the keyboard as heat pricked my eyes .
After a moment , I scrolled down .
His assessments of the others were equally clinical : Excessive spending habits rejected Poor work ethic rejected Has dependent sibling rejected Until the final entry : Sara.
Her page held no ratings , no analysis .
Just a single line : You are a bird , meant to soar proudly into distant skies .
This time , I didnt waver .
I closed the folder , erased the files , and opened another document my unfinished application for a medical position in the Nyara Republic , where they desperately needed surgeons .
As I signed my name , clarity washed over me : I wasnt meant for a cage built to ground a free spirit .
More importantly, the man who truly held my heart was still there , waiting .
17.12