Now, reading his text, I silently thanked my “paranoid” grandmother. Because I hadn’t only planned supply routes in Afghanistan. I’d planned for this exact ambush.

My phone rang. Sterling Vaughn, my lawyer and former JAG officer, didn’t waste time. “Vera, Derek filed for divorce yesterday. Claimed abandonment. He wants full custody and alimony.”

I steadied my voice. “Sterling, remember Operation Homefront? Execute it. All of it.”

“With pleasure, Captain.”

As I walked into the Tennessee sunshine, another message from Derek buzzed in: “I’ve been seeing someone. Nadira gives the kids the stability you never could.”