“She knows that if Nathan gets that assignment, we move to Naples.”

“She knows I would have the life she never could.”

“Caroline, that is not true,” Nathan said, his face pale under his tan.

“You don’t understand how the military works.”

“I understand that my sister is a liar who is blocking your career because she’s jealous!” Caroline shouted.

The rain outside began to beat harder against the tall glass windows of the dining room.

A gust of wind rattled the frame, throwing the shadow of the oak trees across the wallpaper.

I looked at Nathan.

He was staring at his plate, the muscle in his jaw twitching continuously.

He looked smaller in this room than he did in his dress uniform.

The wealth and demands of my family seemed to be crushing him, inch by inch.

“Is this what you want, Commander Reed?” I asked him directly.

Nathan looked up, his eyes meeting mine.

For a second, I saw a flash of professional recognition in his gaze—the look of a subordinate addressing a flag officer.

Then he looked at Caroline, and the light went out of his eyes.