Chapter 179 Gwyneth is in Trouble

Chapter 179 Gwyneth is in Trouble

Olivia felt a sudden warmth bloom in her chest at his words, and a rare, genuine smile broke across her face.

"Alright. I am no fighter, but you better remember to get revenge for me," she teased.

Bobby sat at the edge of her hospital bed, giving her cheek a gentle pinch. "Count on it. I will make it right."

That smile was something Olivia rarely wore, and Autumn, watching from the corner, finally let out a breath she had been holding.

"By the way, Autumn, I got assigned a dorm apartment, but I have no idea how to decorate it. Will you help me?"

With Bobby's rank, the place he was given was a modest two-bedroom unit. Not large, but the floor was low, the light poured in, and Autumn liked it instantly.

"This is good. You have an eye for this. A simple renovation will do. Leave it to me."

Autumn was never one to sit still. The moment she learned she could help Bobby set up his place, her energy spiked. She began mapping out every corner, calling in a designer for a full custom build.

Olivia shook her head, half amused, half speechless. "Mom, you are going all out. Anyone would think you are decorating a wedding home."

Autumn shot her a look. "You know nothing. Bobby has endured enough over the years. He deserves to live well."

She would never admit she was, in fact, decorating it as if it were a wedding home. She simply wanted Bobby to have a place that felt warm, even if that was a luxury she could only dream of.

When Bobby reported for duty, the commanding officer greeted him with a crisp salute.

"Bobby, welcome back to the unit."

Bobby returned it without hesitation. "Thank you, sir. I will give it everything I have. I will not let you or the team down."

The commander clapped his shoulder. "I have been waiting for this day. Good to have you back."

Once the paperwork was done, Bobby headed to the training field. Soldiers were running drills, but he took a seat on the sidelines to watch.

Kieran spotted him and strode over.

"Well, look who crawled back from the dead. I thought you had gone to join the priesthood."

Bobby kicked at him without warning. Kieran dodged, and just like that, they were sparring. The clash drew attention fast, soldiers abandoning their routines to watch.

Olivia had only stepped out to pick up a package, but the sight of the two men trading blows stopped her in her tracks. Smirking, she pulled out her phone, recorded a short clip, and sent it to Henry.

His reply came quick: [Stop staring at idiots before it rubs off. It's too hot out. Go home before you get heatstroke.]

She chuckled, pocketed her phone, and was about to leave when Bobby called out.

"Come with me at lunch. I am buying."

It was Kieran's idea — a welcome-back meal — and Olivia agreed.

They ended up at a Mexican place, the air thick with the scent of chili and grilled meat. The table buzzed with laughter and heat.

"I have heard the stories about you, Bobby," one of the soldiers said between bites. "But seeing Kieran get beaten this bad? You are our master now."

Kieran narrowed his eyes. "You all want to get hit, is that it? I was going easy on him. You think I cannot take down him?"

Bobby smirked. Kieran was telling the truth — he had been holding back. It was his way of letting Bobby reestablish authority in front of the others, and Bobby understood the gesture.

Olivia sipped her soup, letting the banter wash over her. Outside, the sun blazed mercilessly. Inside, the air was alive with warmth and noise — a kind of human closeness she had not felt in a long time.

After lunch, she walked with Bobby down a shaded path. The heat pressed in, but her smile stayed.

"Bobby, train me. I am too weak. I need to toughen up."

He raised a brow. "You sure you can handle it?"

She shook her head. "Pain does not scare me. You get stronger by being tested."

Bobby's lips twitched. "What, you planning to become Superwoman? You think Henry can handle that?"

"Bobby, what the hell?"

She swatted at him, but he danced out of reach, laughing. "Relax. I will make sure you can take Henry down."

They were still laughing when they got home. Autumn, watching them, felt her heart lift.

Back in the Special Operations Unit, Bobby's training was intense. He had been away from the force for too long, but his adaptability was still sharp. Olivia trained alongside him, refusing to take it easy. At first, Kieran worried she would burn out, but when she kept up day after day, he called Henry, his voice tinged with admiration.

"Henry, Olivia's stamina is insane. Just like you — a total machine."

Henry chuckled. "Keep an eye on her. That is your job. And since you are doing so well, I will tell you something. Not sure if it is good news or bad."

"Gwyneth? Is there news?"

Since returning, Kieran had heard nothing from her. She had blocked his calls, and their brief meetings abroad had been cold, distant — she had been avoiding him.

"She is back. She was protecting an ambassador when rebels tried to assassinate him. She took the bullet for him. She is in a coma. Just got flown home."

The phone slipped from Kieran's hand. For a moment, the world roared in his ears. He bent to pick it up, his voice raw. "Which hospital?"

"Harmony Hospital. The bullet is out, but it was close to her heart. She has not woken up. Be ready for the worst."

Kieran's knees buckled. "Gwyneth… wait for me."

He was in his car seconds later, tearing through red lights toward the hospital.

Henry, worried, called Olivia. She did not tell Autumn — she just grabbed her keys and went.

Gwyneth's condition was dire. The infection from poor field conditions had nearly killed her. At Harmony Hospital, Parker personally examined her and ordered a second surgery. Kieran arrived just as they wheeled her into the operating room.

"Gwyneth! I am here! Hold on!"

He stood at the doors, fists clenched so tight his hands shook.

Olivia arrived soon after and went to the doctor's office for details before joining him outside.

"This mission… she was protecting the ambassador. That ambassador is her father."

Kieran's eyes burned. Gwyneth had grown up starved of family. Time with her father was a rare gift.

"When she wakes up, I am going to marry her."

Olivia rolled her eyes. "Dream on."