Chapter 21

Chapter 1 He claimed he couldn’t marry her. A wife’s duties would cage her: preparing daily meals, tending to husband and children, serving in–laws. He said he loved her too much to limit her freedom.

I stared at the screen, my chest tightening until I could barely breathe. Yet I remained silent, composed.

The next morning, I returned to the TV station. What Jackson didn’t know was that I had my own form waiting to write – a transfer request to become a war doctor in Continent of Azora. As I signed my name, I drew in a deep breath. The one I truly loved still waited on those distant battlefields. I was going to find him.

“You’re returning to medicine?!” The startled voice echoed through the hospital hallway that morning.

I handed over my reassignment papers with steady hands. “Yes, I’d like a permanent position in the Nyara Republic.”

The director paused, taking the form. His brow furrowed as he read. “Zoey...” He exhaled softly, searching for words. “Your work in the Nyara Republic three years ago was exceptional. But now?

You’re on marriage leave! You’re about to be married – how can you make such a risk?”

He watched me, expecting justification.

I lowered my gaze, fingers intertwined. “I’m not getting married anymore.”

“What?” His face registered shock.

Meeting his eyes firmly, I stated, “I’m calling off the wedding.”

The night before, Jackson had gone shopping for wedding tableware, asking me to send him the list from his computer. Opening the “Wedding Plans” folder, I’d stumbled upon another spreadsheet –

his relationship ledger.

Six women, each meticulously cataloged: height, appearance, family background, personality traits. My entry topped the list.

Name: Zoey Background: Orphan, limited social connections 17:42 Backup Girl No More: Adios To My V–Card and My First Love 15.6%

Chapter 1.

Personality: Dutiful, maternal, unambitious Notes: Proficient in household duties, suitable for childbearing Highlighted in yellow: “Ideal for marriage”

My fingers hovered over the keyboard as heat pricked my eyes. After a moment, I scrolled down.

His assessments of the others were equally clinical: “Excessive spending habits – rejected” “Poor work ethic – rejected” “Has dependent sibling –

rejected”

Until the final entry: Sara. Her page held no ratings, no analysis. Just a single line: “You are a bird, meant to soar proudly into distant skies.”

–

This time, I didn’t waver. I closed the folder, erased the files, and opened another document my unfinished application for a medical position in the Nyara Republic, where they desperately needed surgeons.

Backup Girl No More: Adios to my V-card and My First Love (Brooklyn)

Backup Girl 20 Tempted Trapped and Too Late to Run Chapter 720 As I signed my name, clarity washed over me: I wasn’t meant for a cage built to ground a free spirit.

More importantly, the man who truly held my heart was still there, waiting.

17.12