Inside Officer Becky's office.
"Every safety and security measure was followed," Becky said firmly, looking at Ethan.
"Then why did you deliberately increase Bella's time in the tub?" Ethan shot back.
Becky folded her arms. "To show everyone that she is Chief Luke's daughter."
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "So you did it on purpose."
"I only wanted to test her endurance," Becky replied coolly. "And Chief Luke himself said that Cadet Bella's training should be the toughest."
Ethan smirked slightly. "But that doesn't give you the right to cross your limits."
A sarcastic smile curved Becky's lips. "All precautions and water temperatures were set according to safety and security standards. But if you're still creating such hype over this, you're free to ask the sergeants who were present."
Ethan stared at her silently.
Becky rose from her chair and walked toward him. Stopping just inches away, she looked straight into his eyes.
"Officer Ethan, you've changed a lot. You're standing here arguing with me over a cadet."
Ethan replied coldly, "If something had happened to Cadet Bella, what answer would you have given to her family?"
"She signed the consent form," Becky said sharply. "And she knows better than anyone that the training here is tough."
"If training is tough," Ethan countered, "then why are you making it even tougher specifically for Cadet Bella?"
Becky tilted her head. "What is it about her that makes you care so much?"
"I care about all cadets," Ethan replied. "Because if anything happens to even one of them, we're the ones who have to answer their families."
Becky scoffed. "Doesn't look like it. You seem far more concerned about Cadet Bella. She rested in your office for so long… you practically became her caretaker."
Ethan smiled sarcastically. "So what?"
"So aren't you the one crossing your limits now?" Becky asked.
"No," Ethan said curtly—and walked out of her office.
Furious, Becky swept the papers off her desk, sending them crashing to the floor.
**********************************************************************************************
Inside the room, Norah and Ellena sat beside Bella.
Norah glanced at Ellena and signaled to her with her eyes.
Ellena cleared her throat. "Ahem… ahem," she said softly before looking at Bella.
"Officer Ethan was really worried when he saw you like that."
Bella smiled and nodded. Then she said gently, "Sorry… for causing trouble for all of you."
"It's okay," Norah said reassuringly. "We were just worried about you."
Ellena chimed in, "But seeing how much Officer Ethan cared about you… our worry faded away."
Norah added teasingly, "Bella, the way he cares about you, and the way you respond to him— I mean…"
Bella looked at both of them and said hesitantly, "It's just that… I think he was worried about what he would tell my family."
Ellena nodded knowingly. "See? That's exactly what we were thinking too."
Bella smiled and let out a soft sigh. She still hadn't discussed her marriage to Officer Ethan with him—whether or not to disclose it. And because of that, she couldn't share the truth with her friends just yet.