Shattered Dreams, Lingering Years

"Oh, right. We got our marriage license in Eraland, didn't we? I seem to recall a clause stating that if one party is unfaithful, the other can apply to dissolve the marriage."

With that, I turned and got decisively back into the car.

Dominic didn't say a word from the front seat, just drove.

A moment later, I slumped over, a soft sob escaping. I rubbed my palms together.

Truth was, I couldn't for the life of me figure out why Brett had done it.

He was no longer the boy from my memories who used to talk about world peace.

He wasn't the man who held my hand and promised me happiness either.

He'd become a rotten guy who neglected his duty for his own selfish desires!

As for the surveillance footage, he'd tried to destroy it. Unfortunately for him, I had a flash drive on me and managed to copy it.

Not just to expose them, but more importantly, because it contained recordings related to the people who died before.

And he had destroyed it so easily.

I would never give that scumbag another chance.

"Dr. Jenkins, we're here."

Dominic's reminder snapped me out of my thoughts. I must have dozed off.

"Thank you, Dominic."

Dominic frowned slightly, looking like he wanted to say something but hesitated. Finally, he spoke. "Dr. Jenkins, if you need a witness, I can testify."

His words felt like a soft feather brushing over my battered heart.

It felt good to be understood.

"Yeah. I won't hold back." I tilted my head back, looking at the sky, fighting back tears.

Dominic took the cue and said, "I'll head out. Just call if you need anything."

"Okay."

I went into my villa, the one my parents left me.

The marital home with Brett was in Eraland. I hadn't been back there in three years.

But even in this villa, there were traces of our life together, including Brett's suits, shoes, razor.

All stuff that needed to go now.

It was time for a fresh start. I was no longer Colonel Graham's wife.

But Brett was nothing if not persistent. His victory party, for instance—he'd made it clear I had to attend.

My phone rang again.

"Eileen, the domestic research group on genetic editing for hereditary diseases has been trying to reach you. You're not answering calls or checking emails."

"I'm sorry, Sir. I'll check right now."

Hearing my mentor's voice after so long made my nose sting.

"Eileen, I didn't object when you wanted to be a Doctors Without Borders volunteer. But you've done your duty. Isn't it time to come back and contribute to domestic research?"

"I understand."

After hanging up, I replied to the emails in my inbox one by one and finally let out a sigh of relief.

Of course I was going to the victory party.

And I was going to make an entrance they wouldn't forget.

"Ding-dong."

The doorbell rang.

I ignored it, turning on the TV and shoving a spoonful of the curry I'd made into my mouth.

"Eileen! I know you're in there! Come out! Eileen! I didn't cheat! I've always loved you!"

Listening to Brett's annoying voice, I opted for my noise-canceling headphones.

But it was past midnight, I was about to sleep, and Brett was still relentlessly knocking.

He finally annoyed me enough to open the door.

"So a peacekeeper's strength is only good for rescuing his mistress and knocking on doors?"

Faced with my sarcasm, Brett seemed less agitated.

He grabbed my hand and slid a diamond ring onto my ring finger. "Eileen, look. This is a South African diamond I bought for you. It suits you."

I looked at the sparkling ring on my right hand, a smirk forming on my face.

"What's the point of giving this to me now?"

Besides, I'd seen this ring before. On Yolanda's ring finger.

"I want to make it up to you. I was wrong on this mission. I hope you can forgive me."

"You shouldn't be asking for my forgiveness! You should ask every hostage who almost died because of you!"

"Eileen! Isn't the outcome good? Didn't I work hard to rescue the hostages?" Brett's temper flared now too. "And aren't you just jealous because I saved Yolanda first?"

Hearing his shameless words, I clenched my fist again. I'd never really seen him for who he was.

This cold, ruthless, unscrupulous man!

"Brett, you are my husband. I was terrified in the hands of the enemy, waiting for my husband to save me! And after I shot my way to survival, what did I see? You holding your mistress, all lovey-dovey! Do you know why they only took me hostage? Because I told them I'd once saved one of their men! I'm a doctor! And you! How did you treat me?"

My voice was raw, my throat nearly torn from shouting.

Brett suddenly froze. A flicker of genuine pain finally appeared in his eyes.

"Sorry. I didn't know they'd drag you out like that."

"Enough! A colonel who neglects his duty like you... I don't think Ariland needs that."