The medical equipment and corresponding supplies arrived one day later, delivered sequentially via an exorbitantly priced private air freight service.

While everyone was busy organizing and setting up the equipment, Kaden Xavier also ordered the construction of temporary shelters near his own site to facilitate future aid and assistance.

This grand gesture directly caught the attention of Director Archer, the head of the medical camp.

He had heard that Kaden Xavier was acquainted with Wren Wynter and that Kaden had specifically come to provide a lifeline. Deciding to be a polite host, he organized a simple tea party to express his gratitude.

That afternoon, Director Archer invited Wren Wynter and Kaden Xavier for tea.

When Shaun Quinn heard that Wren would be meeting with Kaden, he rushed over as well.

After a bit of small talk, Director Archer secretly noted the subtle, awkward atmosphere between the three of them and decided to break the ice with some pleasantries.

He praised Kaden Xavier, saying, "Not many people of your stature, Mr. Xavier, would dare to take such risks. Also, thank you for your generous donation. This medical equipment and these supplies are a tremendous help and will save many lives! On behalf of the main medical camp and all the injured, please accept my thanks."

"You’re welcome. I’m only doing what little I can," Kaden Xavier said nonchalantly, his lips barely parting. His gaze, however, fell on Wren Wynter’s face. "The Xavier Group allocates funds for medical charities to help patients every year."

"To have such vision at your young age, Mr. Xavier... it’s no wonder the Xavier Group is a leader in its industry. I hope we have more opportunities to cooperate in the future."

Director Archer was smiling, but his eyes were fixed on Kaden Xavier and Wren Wynter.

"Mr. Xavier, I hear you’re Dr. Wynter’s ex-husband. Dr. Wynter is so outstanding, it’s only fitting that her ex-husband is equally remarkable," Director Archer said with a fawning smile.

"She has always been outstanding."

’It’s just that before...’

A ripple of emotion flickered in Kaden Xavier’s eyes.

As his words faded, the surroundings fell silent, and an awkward atmosphere filled the air.

Director Archer suddenly started joking, "You two look so good together. Why did you..."

"If she wants to, we can get remarried anytime."

Kaden Xavier stared at Wren Wynter, his eyes burning with an earnest, restrained intensity.

Wren Wynter was stunned for a long moment, her mind short-circuiting before she came to her senses.

’She couldn’t figure out the intention behind Kaden’s words. Was he joking, or...?’

’Whatever his intention, now that she had chosen to come to Aferia, she wouldn’t choose to walk that same wrong path again.’

Wren’s expression turned serious. "Mr. Xavier, watch your words. Don’t give people the wrong idea!"

"I mean every word."

’He means it?’

’It’s too late!’

’I don’t need it!’

Wren sneered inwardly. "We meant it when we got divorced, too."

Director Archer watched the two of them exchange words, completely unable to get a word in edgewise.

Shaun Quinn, meanwhile, silently clenched his fists at his sides, his gaze on Kaden Xavier filled with undisguised defensiveness and hostility.

"Wren, about what happened before..."

Shaun Quinn cut in, "Not all broken things can be mended! Don’t be so arrogant and presumptuous, Mr. Xavier."

Kaden Xavier’s face darkened. "This is between Wren and me. It’s not your place to interfere."

Shaun started to retort, but Wren gently tugged at his arm. "Shaun..."

Shaun understood the look in her eyes and promptly shut his mouth.

Wren turned to Kaden Xavier. "Captain Xavier, you have the right to say what you want, and I won’t interfere. But ever since we divorced, there has been nothing between us. Please have some self-respect."

"Wren..." Kaden’s long lashes drooped, hiding the desolate look in his eyes.

But Wren completely ignored him, pulling Shaun Quinn away with her.

"I thought you wouldn’t be able to part with Kaden Xavier and would go back with him..."

Shaun finally voiced the thought that had been weighing on his mind as he handed Wren a cup of water.

Wren took it with a smile. "Shaun, I’m not a child anymore. I know how to tell when words are true and when they’re not. Besides, I’m not thinking about any of that right now. I just want to do my best to save as many people as I can, to make all my years of study and my teachers’ guidance worthwhile."

Shaun said thoughtfully, "Our professor would be very happy to hear that. Wren, we’ll get through this together."

’He knew Kaden Xavier still held a place in Wren’s heart, but he was willing to wait.’

’Wait for her to fall for him. And even if she never did, that was okay. He would wait for her forever.’

Meeting Shaun’s intense and affectionate gaze, Wren looked away, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"Shaun, I’m a little tired. I’d like to be alone for a while."

"Okay. If you need anything, let me know." Shaun didn’t dare to push her too hard.

Wren offered a faint smile. "Thank you, Shaun."

Once Wren was alone in the tent, she slumped onto the table, the hidden exhaustion finally surfacing in her eyes.

’Does it hurt?’

’Of course it does!’

’How could so many years of feelings just disappear so quickly?’

She still remembered the passionate anticipation she felt for Kaden Xavier when they first got married.

But the heartbreak that led to their divorce had been just as unbearable.

’Now, she had to learn to live for herself.’

’She wouldn’t give up on her principles for anyone ever again.’

Wren didn’t know how long she had been asleep. She moved her numb hand and slowly lifted her head from the table.

Kaden Xavier’s breathtakingly handsome face came into view.

"You... When did you get here? Why didn’t you wake me?"

Wren was suddenly wide awake. The jacket draped over her shoulders slid off.

She picked it up and recognized it as Kaden’s.

"You’ve been too tired lately. I wanted to let you rest a little longer," Kaden Xavier said slowly, his voice exceptionally pleasant.

After he spoke, it was as if they had run out of things to say, and a sudden silence fell between them.

Wren was the first to break, unable to stand it any longer. "If there’s nothing else, you should go. I have a lot to do tomorrow."

Kaden Xavier didn’t move.

"Wren..."

"If this is about something outside my duties as a doctor, Captain Xavier, then I’m afraid I can’t help you."

Remembering what Kaden Xavier had said at the tea party, Wren cut him off resolutely.

Kaden Xavier’s gaze lingered on her face for a long moment. He looked like he wanted to say something but was holding back. Finally, as if he had made a decision, he nodded.

"Get some rest. I’ll be going now."

Kaden Xavier stood up and left the tent.

Wren watched his retreating back. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but he seemed thinner than when he was back home.

「Two days passed in the blink of an eye.」

There had been no sounds of explosions near the medical camp for the past two days, but everyone’s hearts were in their throats, worried that a missile could suddenly fall on their heads at any moment.

Suddenly, the faint sound of an air raid siren could be heard.

Kaden Xavier, being the most sensitive to aircraft, was the first to react.

"Bombers are coming! That’s the warning for an imminent air strike!"

"Quick, notify everyone!"

The emergency evacuation alarm at the main medical camp blared, assaulting their eardrums.

"Run!"

"Run for your lives!"

"Ah! Help me—"

In an instant, the crowd descended into chaos.

The medical staff also began to evacuate, scrambling for their lives like headless chickens, not knowing which way to go.

Kaden Xavier’s first thought was of Wren, and he ran desperately toward her location.

When Wren heard the evacuation alarm, she didn’t leave immediately. Instead, she ran to the medical supply tent to pack.

’She had to take all the lifesaving drugs she could carry.’

She handed a full medical case to Catherine. "Catherine! Take these medicines and go, now! Hurry!"

Catherine’s eyes widened. "No, Wren, we’ll go together! There’s still time, I’ll help you!"

"Go!" Wren pushed her toward the entrance. "Go now! Get to the temporary shelters! Protect these medicines."

After saying that, Wren turned back to the medicine shelves and continued packing.

Just as Wren ran out of the supply tent with a heavy medical case on her back, a black artillery shell fell from the sky.

Wren was completely unaware of the approaching danger until two tense shouts reached her ears.

"Wren—"