I spent a month on a luxury cruise, partying with eight European male models. When my friend Ainsley heard about it, she gasped, “Are you out of your mind? Aren’t you worried your general husband might go ballistic?”
As I continued to play the role of a nurse, checking the models’ vitals, I shrugged and said, “What’s there to fear? We’re already divorced.”
“What did you say?” Ainsley asked, unable to believe her ears.
Suddenly, an eerie silence enveloped us, and everyone’s gaze shifted to something behind me. My instincts kicked in, prompting me to turn around.
Hundreds of armed helicopters descended from the sky, surrounding the hotel. Special forces quickly seized control of the area. Amidst the blinding spotlights, a man in an olive-green military uniform stepped forward, his eyes coldly assessing the male models around me.
It was my ex-husband, Alexander Vargas—the youngest brigadier general in the South Pacific Command, renowned for his workaholic tendencies. During our five-year marriage, he missed my birthdays for military drills, was absent during my serious car accident due to a joint operation abroad, and was unreachable when my father lay critically ill because he was on a covert mission.
Although I had accepted the demands of his career, a rumor within the base soon shook my resolve. It said that the stern and aloof General Vargas was secretly doting on a young woman.
At first, I dismissed it as mere gossip. But curiosity got the better of me, and I spent all my contacts and savings to discreetly investigate her. Yet Alexander shielded her so well that even my old intelligence team friends could only manage to capture a vague snapshot of her profile.
The girl in the photo appeared youthful and charming, nestled securely in Alexander’s embrace—a gesture I had never experienced in five years of marriage.
The day I received the photo, I stepped out as dusk settled in, plagued by unease. As soon as I crossed the base boundary, several figures jumped out, shoved a sack over my head, and unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks. I curled up on the ground, protecting my vital areas in vain.
In the chaos, someone struck my head, and a loud ringing overwhelmed my senses before darkness claimed me.
When I regained consciousness, I found myself in the military hospital. Sam Taylor, Alexander’s aide, stood beside me, his expression unreadable. “Ma’am,” he said coolly, “The general asked me to tell you to stop investigating matters best left alone. Otherwise, next time you might not wake up in a hospital.”
My eyes widened in shock. Just because I had uncovered a side profile of the girl, Alexander had arranged an assault on me!
My heart ached, as though drenched in ice water. After a long pause, I reached for my phone and dialed a number. “Chief Collins, I want to apply for a divorce.”
Holding the divorce papers, I marched straight to Alexander’s office but was stopped at the door by a guard. “Ma’am, General Vargas isn’t in today.”
Suppressing my frustration, I asked, “Where is he?”
The guard looked uneasy, whispering, “He’s at the training ground with Miss Collins for a shooting competition.”
I took a deep breath and headed to the crowded training field. As soon as I entered the outskirts of the shooting range, I spotted Alexander at the shooting line, alongside the lively and charming Lilyana Collins.
The prize for the competition was a half-life-sized teddy bear. Alexander, who never participated in such "childish" activities, now competed for a prize Lilyana wanted.
The gunfire echoed, his movements swift and precise, easily outshining the other competitors and drawing cheers from the crowd. Alexander retrieved the teddy bear, reluctantly but indulgently handing it to Lilyana. She joyfully leaped into his arms, kissing his cheek.
I stood at a distance, watching the scene unfold, my heart numbed by pain. Throughout our marriage, he never joined me in any group activities, and I had believed it was because he disliked crowds. But now, I realized he simply hadn’t wanted to make an exception for me.
Clutching the divorce papers tightly, I approached him. As soon as he saw me, his relaxed expression turned serious, instinctively shielding Lilyana behind him. “What are you doing here?”
The gesture felt like a dagger to my heart. Struggling to stay composed, I presented the document. “I need you to sign this.”
Just then, Sam approached, asking Alexander to address the new recruits. Alexander replied coldly, “I’m occupied right now; we’ll talk later.”
I didn’t want to wait. “It’s important and only takes a moment,” I insisted, my voice betraying a slight tremor. “Alexander, let’s divorce. Once it’s finalized, there’ll be nothing left between us.”
I said it all in one breath, summoning the courage to wait for his response. But Alexander frowned, turning away after a pause, “What did you just say? I told you, I’m busy—later.”
With that, he followed Sam onto the stage.
I took a deep breath; he was always like this—ignoring my words as if they were inconsequential.
Just as I was about to follow him, Lilyana approached, holding the teddy bear, and snatched the papers from my hand. “Oh, you’re Vargas’s arranged marriage wife, aren’t you?” she said, looking me up and down with a trace of disdain. “Vargas is busy, so I can sign anything non-confidential for him! He even gave me a personal stamp with his name.”
My heart felt squeezed by an invisible hand, the pain suffocating. Everyone knew Alexander’s obsessive caution—any document requiring his confirmation had to be personally reviewed by him. Yet now...
To prove her point, Lilyana produced a delicate silver stamp from her small purse, flipping to the last page and stamping it without a second glance!
"Signed."
Lilyana slid the document back into my hand, her tone a mix of disdain and caution. "From what Alexander told me, you two tied the knot only because of family pressure. So, with that being said, don't bother coming to see him. He doesn't want anything to do with you."
I stared at the agreement's bright red seal, representing Alexander Vargas's authority, feeling a wave of irony. I opened my mouth, ready to explain that this was the military's divorce agreement...
Suddenly, a thunderous explosion erupted at the edge of the training grounds, followed by the relentless blare of alarms!
"Live ammunition has gone off in the combat zone! Take cover immediately!"
The orderly shooting range descended into chaos instantly! Panic gripped everyone, and crowds surged toward the exits like tidal waves!
Lilyana and I were quickly knocked to the ground by the stampeding crowd!
Countless feet trampled over us, and agony shot through my body. It felt as though my bones were about to shatter. I desperately tried to rise, but it was impossible!
"Alex! Alex! I'm terrified!" Lilyana screamed, her voice piercing through the pandemonium.
"Lily!" Alexander's frantic shout cut through the noise.
I watched as he fought his way through the crowd, and against my better judgment, a flicker of weak hope sparked inside me.
He rushed over, pinpointed Lilyana with precision, and swiftly hoisted her from the ground, cradling her protectively as he raced toward the safety zones without glancing back.
Throughout the chaos, he never looked my way.
"Alexander! Alexander!"
I gathered the last of my strength to call out, my voice swallowed by the cacophony of screams and cries.
He didn't look back.
Just as I was convinced I'd be crushed to death, Alexander unexpectedly returned.
A bright hope flared in my shattered heart.
But then, Alexander hurried to my side, swiftly picked up a small locket from the ground, and left without a second thought.
"Thank goodness! I'm so glad you found it for me."
Lilyana's voice, a mix of laughter and tears, echoed from the safety zone, "It's the first gift you ever gave me! If I lost it, I'd never forgive you!"
Alexander's voice was soft, tinged with residual fear, "Don’t be silly, what's more important—your life or the locket? You’re safe and sound, and that's what matters!"
"I don't care; it's the proof of your love for me!" Lilyana pouted and kissed him.
In that moment, I felt utterly desolate.
To him, his wife of five years, I meant less than a mere locket belonging to Lilyana.
The massive weight of despair and heartache felt like the final stone, crushing me completely.
My vision faded to black, and I lost consciousness entirely.
