Not A Small-Town Girl

The murmurs began immediately.

"Quiet!" Maximus’s voice cut through the chatter like a whip. "Anyone caught talking will run laps. Look at the other classes and then look at yourselves. Embarrassing."

The students straightened up instantly, the fear of punishment silencing their protests. noveldrama

"From now on, anyone who moves or complains runs laps," Maximus declared. "You’ve barely stood, and your legs are already shaking. If this were a battlefield, you’d be dead weight, shot by the enemy in seconds. Soldiers I train are always victorious-don’t make me ashamed to call you mine."

The students’ morale plummeted. ’Is this guy serious? It’s just a little military training, not actual war. Chill out!’

"Sir, my head’s spinning, and I feel faint," another girl chimed in coquettishly, hoping for leniency.

Maximus squinted at her. "Are you fainting right now? No? Then stand up and stay put. Stop reporting unless you’re genuinely incapacitated."

The morning dragged on with the students barely holding it together.

When Maximus finally blew his whistle, signaling a break for lunch, the group trudged to the cafeteria like wilted plants.

At lunch, Maximus informed them of the afternoon schedule before dismissing them. Danielle and Juniper quickly ate and returned to their dorm to catch some much-needed sleep.

Just as Danielle climbed into bed, her phone buzzed with a call from David.

"Sweetheart, how was training? Are you exhausted?" David’s voice was so gentle it could melt the coldest heart.

Danielle wasn’t surprised he knew about the training. "Not at all. It was a breeze for me. What about you? Have you eaten yet?"

"Not yet. Want me to have the nanny prepare soup and bring it to you later?" David was utterly doting, treating her like his entire world.

Juniper emerged from the bathroom just in time to hear Danielle laughing sweetly on the phone. "Danielle, are you talking to your husband again? Look at that smile-you’re glowing!"

Danielle’s cheeks turned bright red. "Stop it! What husband?"

On the other end, David chuckled deeply. "Am I not your husband? Call me ’husband. Let me hear it, hmm?" His tone was playful yet irresistible.