Nathan walked slowly down the corridor, his heavy dress shoes clicking sharply against the marble floor.

Caroline’s entire demeanor shifted instantly.

The screaming banshee vanished, replaced by a weeping, fragile victim.

"Nathan!" she cried, running toward him and throwing her arms around his neck.

"Thank God you are here. Evelyn was just being so cruel to me."

Nathan did not return the embrace.

He stood perfectly rigid, his arms locked at his sides, enduring her touch like a physical punishment.

He gently but firmly reached up, grabbed her wrists, and pulled her arms away from him.

"I heard everything you just said, Caroline," Nathan said, his voice terrifyingly calm.

"I heard you try to use her rank to bypass security."

"I heard you demand she abuse her power to force me back into your life."

"And I heard you insult a decorated flag officer in a federal building."

Caroline took a step back, her lower lip trembling as she realized her manipulation had failed completely.

"Nathan, I am just stressed," she stammered, fresh tears spilling over her cheeks.

"My family is falling apart because of her."

"Your family was broken long before I met you," Nathan corrected her bluntly.

"I spent six months assuming your sister was a failure because you lied to me."

"You didn't just lie to me, Caroline. You lied to make yourself feel superior."

He reached into the pocket of his dress trousers and pulled out a small velvet box.

It was the engagement ring.

Caroline gasped, covering her mouth with her hands as Nathan held the box out to her.

"The engagement is over, Caroline," Nathan stated with absolute finality.

"I cannot spend the rest of my life with a woman who has no honor, no respect, and no soul."

"No!" Caroline screamed, refusing to take the box. "You can't do this to me! The invitations are already sent! The deposit is paid!"

"That is your problem," Nathan said, placing the velvet box on a small decorative table next to her.

He turned his back on her crying form and faced me.

He snapped his heels together and delivered a flawless salute.

"My apologies for the disruption, Admiral."

"Carry on, Commander," I replied smoothly, returning the salute.

Nathan turned and walked back into the ballroom, leaving Caroline sobbing hysterically in the hallway.

She looked at me, her makeup ruined, her face twisted in pure hatred.

"I will destroy you for this," she hissed through her tears.

"Security," I called out calmly to the Marines standing nearby.

"Escort this civilian off the premises immediately. She is no longer welcome here."

I turned my back and walked into the gala, the sound of her screaming fading behind the heavy doors.