On her birthday, her husband's white moonlight returned Chapter 1

Everyone in the capital city used to say Aubrey Vance was fortunate, that she’d married a wonderful husband.

Caleb Vance, Chief of the Elite Security Task Force, was a rising star. Accomplished and exceptionally capable, he was the man every woman dreamed of.

He was cold and distant to everyone, yet his sole tenderness was reserved for Aubrey.

But only Aubrey knew that Caleb’s heart had long been claimed by another woman.

Aubrey’s eyes were red when she found Serena Harrison outside the State Department. Before she could even speak, her wrist was seized in a death grip.

It was Caleb.

He dragged her towards their home, his strength frightening. “What kind of scene are you trying to create here? Get in the car, now!”

Aubrey struggled. “I need to find Serena, to get to the bottom of what happened to my father all those years ago!”

“That case was closed ages ago!” Caleb’s voice was devoid of emotion. “That was a rivalry between their fathers, it has nothing to do with Serena. Stop making things difficult for her!”

Aubrey scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her. “I’m not making things difficult for her! I just want the truth! Make her father, Mr. Harrison, come and face me!”

“Aubrey, stop making baseless accusations.” Caleb’s brows furrowed into a tight knot. “Serena is a vital diplomatic talent, just returned from studying abroad. She can’t afford any negative publicity!”

“Your father’s case was handled by the authorities a long time ago. Why are you still clinging to this? It won’t do you any good.”

“I will not let it go!”

Aubrey stared into Caleb’s eyes, wanting to say more.

He knew how much this festered inside her—

*“Slap!”*

A sharp, stinging sound.

Aubrey’s face was knocked sideways, a fiery pain erupting on her cheek.

She looked at him, utterly disbelieving.

“You… you hit me? For her?”

Caleb looked at his own hand, momentarily stunned, a flicker of regret crossing his face.

But he quickly hardened his expression, resuming his righteous demeanor.

“If I hadn’t slapped you, how would you have calmed down? Stop being so irrational.”

“Serena just returned, and I’ve been assigned by command to protect her. If you cause any more trouble, I’ll have to handle this officially!”

That single slap shattered the last vestiges of hope in Aubrey’s heart.

Aubrey didn't argue with Caleb any further. That very night, she took a train back to the county precinct where her father had once worked and submitted a transfer request.

Mr. Hayes, an old comrade of her father, was overjoyed to see Aubrey. “Aubrey, I’m so glad you’re transferring back and reopening your father’s badge number! All us old timers are thrilled!”

Then his expression shifted, a hint of worry in his voice. “But your husband is with the Elite Security Task Force in the capital. If you come back here, won’t you two be separated?”

Aubrey’s hand paused. She offered a dry laugh. “Mr. Hayes, I’ve taken a week off to finalize my divorce.”

Mr. Hayes was momentarily stunned but didn't press further. He simply patted Aubrey’s shoulder. “Don’t worry. All of us here, your uncles and mentors, will look out for you.”

Aubrey’s nose stung. She took a deep breath and strode out of the police department.

Returning to the home she’d lived in for years, Caleb’s scent still seemed to linger.

Aubrey pulled open a drawer and dumped out all the old items inside.

Faded photographs, letters he’d written to her, and the bullet casing ring he’d made with his own hands.

She was lost in thought when the door burst open with a *bang!*

Caleb stormed in, radiating a chilling aura. He snatched the photos from her hand, glaring at her fiercely.

“Aubrey! Why did you run back to the county without telling me? Why haven’t you answered my calls for the past two days?”

“Are you still obsessed with what happened, looking for your father’s old comrades to go after Serena again?”

“I’m telling you, they’re old men. No matter how far they try to reach, I’m in the capital. If they think they can hurt Serena, they’re dreaming!”

His eyes were bloodshot as he gripped her wrist, his force so strong it felt like he might crush her bones.

Aubrey endured the searing pain in her hand, staring coldly at him, a sarcastic smile twisting her lips.

“What’s wrong? Is she feeling guilty? Afraid I’ll uncover something by returning to the county?”

Caleb knew she was talking about Serena, and his face darkened further.

He thought she was still jealous, still throwing a tantrum. He looked down and saw the red marks his grip had left on Aubrey’s wrist, finally softening his tone.

“Aubrey, don’t be like this. While I do have personal feelings for Serena, my primary duty in assisting her is to complete the mission assigned by command. It’s for the country, for…”

“Stop using that as an excuse!” Aubrey cut him off directly. “Caleb, aren’t you disgusted with yourself?”

Caleb was already at a loss for words, knowing he was in the wrong.

He suddenly swept Aubrey into his arms, roughly tossing her onto the bed.

The next second, his hot body pressed down on hers.

Aubrey’s lower abdomen had just endured a catastrophe; she hadn’t even fully recovered from the miscarriage yet, and her body ached terribly.

She struggled with all her might. “Let go of me!”

“Caleb, stop pretending you care! Don’t touch me, you make me sick!”

Caleb saw Aubrey’s resistance, and anger surged through him.

How *dare* she say such things?

She used to blush at his slightest touch. Now she found him disgusting?

Caleb scoffed. “Stop playing innocent! Isn’t this just because you feel neglected and are trying to get a rise out of Serena? I’ll satisfy you right now!”

“It’ll save you from constantly throwing jealous fits and interfering with my work!”

Aubrey’s body was incredibly sore; she was no match for Caleb. But even so, she fought back with every ounce of strength.

The thought of his tenderness towards Serena made her stomach churn.

Just then, the phone by the bed rang, its sound piercing.

Caleb’s movements froze.

He got up to answer the call, his voice instantly softening.

“Serena? What’s wrong? Don’t rush, I’ll be right there.”

He hung up, not even glancing at Aubrey on the bed. He grabbed his jacket and rushed out.

The door clicked shut, and silence descended upon the room once more.

Aubrey lay on the cold bed, dizzy and disoriented.

Caleb didn't return all night, and Aubrey lay there, fully clothed, enduring the entire night.

* * *

The next morning, Aubrey changed into casual clothes and went to the police department.

Her residency was still registered in the capital, and with her job transferred to the county, her residency would need to be moved as well.

Just as she was about to enter the department, Aubrey saw a few familiar figures across the street.

Caleb and Serena stood side by side under a large oak tree, with Officer Miller, Caleb’s aide, standing nearby.

Even from a distance, Officer Miller’s loud voice carried clearly.

“Caleb, you and Serena were so good together back then. Now that she’s come back for you, why don’t you make a move?”

Serena hung her head, a faint smile on her lips.

Officer Miller pressed on. “Serena studied abroad, she’s a highly educated talent, now a junior diplomat. She’s beautiful, so many people are asking about her!”

Caleb’s brows were furrowed, and he was about to speak, but Serena, blushing, spoke first.

“Officer Miller, don’t talk nonsense.”

“Caleb is married. It wouldn’t be good if Aubrey heard that.”

As she spoke, a hint of worry clouded her brow.

Officer Miller seemed deeply sympathetic, unconsciously raising his voice.

“You don’t understand! He doesn’t have those kinds of feelings for Aubrey. They’re just settling for each other!”

Aubrey looked at Caleb from afar. He didn’t refute it. Instead, he abruptly changed the subject. “Enough. It’s more important to take care of Serena’s business. I still have to get back to my post later.”

Serena chuckled softly. “You’re truly too kind, both of you.”

The three walked side by side, a sight that sent a sharp pang through Aubrey’s chest.

Leaving him was a rational decision.

But her heart, it was disobedient. It wasn’t like a faucet that could be turned off at will.

All she could do was tell herself, *It’s okay. The pain will fade soon.*

Aubrey entered the police department first. After greeting her old colleagues, she handed her household registration booklet to the counter.

“I want to transfer my residency out of the capital.”

No sooner had she spoken than a soft, sweet voice came from behind her.

“Hello, officer. I’m here to apply for a residency transfer.”

Aubrey turned around, directly meeting Caleb’s deep, unfathomable eyes.

His face was devoid of emotion, his voice giving no hint of his feelings. “You’re transferring your residency out?”

Caleb was always like this.

He wouldn’t ask why she was back in the county, wouldn’t ask why she was transferring out. It was as if any decision she made had nothing to do with him.

Aubrey casually retrieved her registration booklet. “Yes.”

“You’re processing her transfer in? Perfect. I’m transferring out, making room for her.”

Caleb’s gaze darkened, but he said nothing.

Aubrey sighed inwardly.

He truly didn't care.

Caleb glanced at her casual clothes, remembering her miscarriage, and his voice dropped a few tones. “Your body hasn’t even fully recovered, and you’re causing trouble again? Did you follow me just to argue? Can’t you make a little less fuss?”

Aubrey was about to say something when Serena, who had been at the counter, suddenly walked back, looking wronged.

“Caleb, the officer at the counter says my documents are incomplete, so I can’t process it.”

She saw Aubrey standing beside Caleb and her tone suddenly softened, pleading plaintively. “Aubrey, he’s your colleague. Could you… could you help him out?”

“My current department requires capital residency to get official benefits…”

She hadn't finished her sentence before Aubrey cut her off.

“I’m sorry, Serena. Rules are rules. They apply to everyone; there are no exceptions.”

“Next time, please bring all your documents.”

Serena’s eyes immediately welled up, and she stood there helplessly, looking utterly wronged, as if she’d been bullied.

Caleb’s brows instantly furrowed into a tight knot.

“If she can’t process it, she can’t process it. Do you need to be so rude to her?”

Aubrey raised her eyes, her voice slightly hoarse. “Chief Vance, don’t you always say that without rules, there’s no order?”

“If one person gets special treatment, then everyone will expect it in the future, right?”

Caleb was choked by her words, unable to retort. “This isn’t some major principled matter. Why are you being so aggressive?”

“We’re all colleagues. It’s something you could easily handle, so why stick to the rules so strictly?”

Aubrey was utterly stunned.

Caleb Vance, Chief of the Elite Security Task Force, a man known for his strict self-discipline and rigid adherence to orders, whose private life was as meticulously structured as a ruler.

But when it came to Serena, all rules, all principles, simply vanished.

Serena, tearful, whispered from the side, “Please don’t argue. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have made such an unreasonable request…”

Caleb immediately comforted her. “It’s not your fault.”

Aubrey forced a smile.

If it wasn't Serena's fault, then it must be hers, right?

Of course. When you’re not loved, everything you do feels wrong.

An indescribable surge of injustice welled up in her throat, and her eyes quickly misted over.

She turned and walked quickly towards the inner offices.

By the time she finished her paperwork and emerged, Caleb and Serena were no longer in the lobby.

Only the murmur of her colleagues’ gossip drifted over.

“Did you see her? That was Chief Vance’s first love. She’s really beautiful.”

“No wonder Aubrey’s transferring out. Who could stand that?”

“What makes that woman better than Aubrey? Aubrey’s amazing, a top investigator at the department!”

“You don’t get it. Women who are too strong aren’t good. Men like those soft, sweet ones who can flirt…”

Aubrey didn’t dare look up, walking quickly out.

She feared someone would see her reddened eyes.

She didn’t stop until she reached the main entrance, then she paused, turning to look at the Wall of Honor outside the police department.

Her photo hung there, in uniform, looking dashing and resolute, with a long list of awards beneath it.

Aubrey looked at her reflection in the photo, wiped away her tears, and whispered to herself.

“Aubrey, remember, you became a police officer not to be liked by any man.”

“You have more important things to do. Look up, move forward. For your father, you must be strong!”

Her dream was to be a good police officer, to uncover the truth behind her father’s unjust case.

And then, like her father, to uphold justice, fight evil, and protect the innocent!

Aubrey straightened her back and walked out the police department doors.