Whispers From A Paper Heart Amara Blue Knight 5

Chapter 5 

Between managing Marina’s recurring PTSD and the Organization’s crushing workload, Raymond barely had a moment to breathe. 

May 

He knew the punishment Katherine took that night had been unjust. 

But he was certain that, after a decade of fighting side–by–side, she would eventually understand he’d had no other choice. 

Reconciliation was just a matter of time. 

During a lull between missions, he finally made time to visit Katherine’s safe house. 

He scanned his fingerprint. Purchase completed ared a harsh error, “Access permanently revoked.” 

Panic tightened his chest. Ignoring it, he straightened his collar, raised his hand, and knocked. “Katherine, it’s me. We need to talk.” 

The door opened to reveal a man in a maintenance uniform. 

Seeing the executive officer insignia on Raymond’s shoulder, the man looked surprised and snapped to attention/ “Mr. Dawson? Katherine completed her clearance procedures five days ago. Logistics has already reclaimed this unit.” 

Raymond’s stomach dropped. “Where was she deployed?” 

The cleaner shook his head. “Katherine’s file status has been changed to ‘Permanent Withdrawal.‘ Only Mr. McCord knows where she went.” 

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20:01 

Chapter 5 

1298 Nouchers 

Raymond returned to his place in a daze. 

Marina slipped out of bed the moment he entered, her face wearing a perfectly curated look of concern. 

She had been staying with him for a while, claiming she felt too unsafe to be alone. 

“Ray, you’re back. Where did you go?” 

Looking at the frail, helpless woman before him, Raymond felt a surge of irritation rise from deep within him for the first time. 

He used to think Katherine was too independent–that she didn’t rely on him enough—but now, this constant neediness felt suffocating. 

“I went to find Katherine.” 

Marina’s eyes flickered. She grabbed his arm gently. “Did she give you a hard time? You have to be careful; you know how extreme Katherine can get. 

“If she won’t forgive you, I can go apologize to her myself.” 

As she spoke, her eyes welled up with tears. 

“Don’t bother.” Raymond waved her off weakly, too drained to even speak. “It looks like she’s gone.” 

Marina studied his face, fighting to suppress her intense joy. She feigned innocence. “Gone? Did Mr. McCord send her on a long–term undercover mission?” 

Raymond shook his head. This man, who had never flinched in battle, now stood there with red–rimmed eyes. 

2001 

Chapter S 

18 202 Vouchers 

“No,” he said, his voice choking with suppressed emotion. “She disappeared without a word.” 

As if his strength had finally given out, he slumped onto the sofa and buried his hands in his hair. 

Katherine was truly gone. 

Not out of spite, and not temporarily. 

She had cut all ties and vanished from his life without a trace. 

A panic unlike anything he had ever known seized his heart. 

Over the last ten years, he had become so accustomed to Katherine’s presence that she was an essential part of him. 

If she was truly gone, how was he supposed to live without her? 

2001