The rescue team pulled me back to shore.

It took hours before their bodies were finally recovered.

I called Adrian over twenty times.

Not once did he answer.

Instead, I saw Vanessa’s new post on her social feed.

In the photo, she sat on his shoulders, arms wrapped around his head, both of them laughing like nothing in the world mattered.

Caption:

“Didn’t win me that medal, so now my ‘son’ is letting me ride him as punishment.”

The comments exploded.

Their friends were having the time of their lives.

Vanessa had always been “one of the guys” to him.

Except that line had been crossed more times than I could count.

When she had cramps, he’d massage her chest without hesitation to ease her discomfort.

When we were long-distance, she had no problem “helping him out.”

Every time I felt uncomfortable, he told me I was the one with a dirty mind.

And eventually, I started believing it.

But now my hands were shaking with rage.

I typed a comment.

“If Adrian enjoys being your dog that much, then I wish you two a lifetime of happiness.”

Less than a minute later, my phone rang.

Adrian.

His voice was sharp, already annoyed.

“Claire, what the hell was that comment? Delete it. Now.

“I treat her like a brother. If you can’t understand that, then keep your mouth shut.”

I closed my eyes briefly.

When I spoke again, my voice was ice.

“Adrian, do you even realize your parents are dead?

“They died because you chose not to save them.

“I’m dealing with their bodies right now. If you have even a shred of conscience left, come see them one last time.”

He let out a laugh.

“Can you stop with the ‘your parents’ nonsense? Mine are perfectly fine.

“There were other rescue teams there. They would’ve been saved.

“Or is this just another excuse to drag me away from Vanessa? Claire, I’m really sick of this.”

He hung up.

Just like that.

I stood there, numb.

His parents had given everything to their country.

They didn’t deserve to die like that.

If he had stayed, they would have lived.

Instead, he walked away to help Vanessa chase a second-class medal, and traded two lives for it.

The Cole family had always been known for its legacy of service.

And yet, it had produced someone like him.

I called Richard Cole.

The moment he heard, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital.

After that, everything fell on me.

Handling the bodies. Arranging the funeral.

All of it.

Before cremation, a direct family member had to sign the authorization.

So I went to find Adrian.

I found him in a bar.

Dim lights. Loud music.

Vanessa was pressed close against him.

They were sharing a single French fry, feeding it to each other from opposite ends.

At the last bite, she leaned in, and bit his lip.

Cheers erupted around them.

“Adrian, what’s it like kissing Vanessa? Feeling anything yet?”

He laughed, rubbing his lip.

“Feels like getting bitten by a dog. Nothing special.

“She could strip naked in front of me and I still wouldn’t feel a thing.”

Vanessa glared at him, pretending to be annoyed.

“You’re trash. If you feel nothing, then stop reacting. Who was it calling me in the middle of the night asking for help?”

“Try that again and see what happens.”

They shoved each other, and ended up in another embrace.

Someone finally noticed me.

“…Hey. Claire’s here.”

Adrian turned.

The smile on his face disappeared instantly.

“Claire? What are you doing here?”

I looked at him.

My voice was steady.

Heavy.

“Adrian, your parents are ready for cremation.

“They need your signature.”

Someone in the group immediately scoffed.

“Every time she shows up, she kills the mood. We were having so much fun and now it has to end. What a letdown!”

“She’s always had it out for Vanessa. Now she’s even making up excuses to drag Adrian away.”

“Seriously, marrying someone like her just ruins your social life.”

Vanessa slipped off Adrian’s shoulders and patted him lightly, pouting.

“You should probably go check on her. Otherwise she’ll throw another scene.”

Adrian’s expression cooled.

He looked at me like I was the problem.

“What, Claire? You don’t know how to sign your own name?

“You hate seeing me with Vanessa that much you’re making up stories about your parents being dead?

“Even if they were, I wouldn’t go. I have nothing to do with them.

“Go home. Stop embarrassing yourself.”

Something inside me finally went quiet.

All hope has been gone.

I clenched my teeth. “Adrian, this is your last chance. If you don’t go now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life.”

He let out a short laugh, took a sip of his drink, then tapped a bottle of red wine on the table.

“Fine. You want me to go that badly?

“Drink this. All of it. Then beg me.

“If I’m in a good mood, maybe I’ll come.”

I stared at him, my eyes burning.

He knew I was allergic to alcohol.

If it weren’t for his parents, if they hadn’t always treated me like their own daughter, if they hadn’t lived and died as national heroes,

I would have walked away right then.

But their bodies were still waiting.

Waiting for a signature.

I picked up the bottle.

“Adrian… you’d better keep your word.”

The wine burned all the way down, like swallowing fire.

The reaction hit almost instantly.

My skin started itching. My chest tightened. I coughed so hard it felt like my lungs were tearing apart.

By the time I finished, my face was flushed bright red, a rash spreading across my skin.

I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

Gasping for breath, I forced the words out.

“I drank it. Are you coming now?”

Adrian froze.

He hadn’t expected me to actually do it.

“Claire… you’re allergic. I was just joking. Fine, I’ll go with you...”

Before he could finish, Vanessa’s expression darkened.

“So she really doesn’t trust me, huh?

“She’d go this far just to drag you away?

“She doesn’t understand what we have. Her mind is filthy, so everything looks dirty to her.

“If there was actually something between us, do you think she’d still be standing here?”

She crossed her arms, her tone turning cold.

“Tonight was supposed to make up for you failing to get me that medal.

“You promised you’d stay with me.

“If you walk out now, we’re done.

“Go live your perfect married life with her.”

Someone else chimed in immediately.

“Exactly. Adrian, how many times has this happened? If you give in again, we might as well call you whipped.”

“We’ve known Vanessa for years. Claire’s the only one who can’t stand her. If anyone’s the outsider here, it’s her.”

The hesitation in Adrian’s eyes disappeared.

His face hardened.

“Claire, I owe Vanessa tonight.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.

“Stop making a scene.”

I closed my eyes.

Forced the tears back.

“Fine. I’ve said everything I needed to say.

“When you regret this, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I paused, then looked at him one last time.

“And one more thing.

“I want a divorce.

“I’ll have the papers sent over.

“Sign them, and I’ll disappear from your life for good.”

He frowned, irritation flashing across his face.

“Now you’re threatening me with divorce?

“Don’t come crying back later.”

I didn’t answer.

I just straightened my back, and walked away.

When I returned to the funeral home, Richard had already woken up.

He was on his way.

Even in old age, the authority he carried was overwhelming.

His hair was white, his eyes red as he looked at his son and daughter-in-law one last time.

His hands trembled as he signed the cremation authorization.

From beginning to end, Adrian never showed up.

Richard asked me more than once, “Claire… where is Adrian?”

I pressed my lips together.

“I… he had something to take care of.”

“What could be more important than his own parents?”

He sighed heavily.

“Claire, tell me the truth. Nothing can hurt me more than this already has.”

I had no choice.

I told him everything.

From the rescue,

to the bar,

to everything Adrian had said.

When I finished, Richard slammed his cane against the floor.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

“That ungrateful bastard.

“That animal.

“How did the Cole family, after generations of honor, end up with someone like him?”

He pulled out his phone.

“I’ll call him myself.

“Let’s see if he still dares not to come.”

The call connected.

Loud music blasted through the speaker.

Richard’s face darkened.

“Adrian Cole, you disgrace. Your parents are dead and you’re still out drinking?

“Get here. Now.”

Adrian let out a careless laugh.

“Grandpa, you’re helping Claire lie to me now?

“She knew I wouldn’t listen, so she dragged you into it?

“Don’t worry about her. Whether her parents live or die has nothing to do with me.

“I’m busy. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”

Richard’s voice thundered.

“What are you talking about? The people who died were your parents!”

Adrian went silent for a split second.

Then Vanessa’s voice cut in, light and playful.

“Adrian, hurry up. I lost again. You owe me a drink, mouth to mouth.”

His attention snapped right back to her.

“Coming.”

Then, into the phone, impatient, “Grandpa, I’ll talk to you later.”

Click.

The call ended.

Richard seemed to age years in an instant.

But the pressure around him only grew heavier.

“Claire,” he said quietly, “we’ll handle the funeral together.”

“As for Adrian… I’ll deal with him.

“I’ll make sure he shows up.

“And anyone responsible for this will pay.”

I arranged everything.

And had the divorce papers sent to Adrian.

On the day of the funeral, a message came in.

[Claire, you actually got Grandpa to force me to attend? And even dragged the military into investigating the rescue?

Withdraw it. Now.

Or don’t blame me for what happens next.]

I ignored it.

Focused on the funeral hall.

Checked everything, one last time.

Then I personally placed the two medals beside their portraits, and bowed three times.

Suddenly, chaos erupted outside.

A group of people stormed in.

They smashed everything in sight.

Red paint splattered across the memorial photos before they were ripped down.

The urns shattered on the ground.

I tried to stop them, but it was like trying to hold back a storm.

By the time they left, everything was destroyed.

Guests arriving at the scene froze in shock.

And then, Adrian walked in.

Vanessa at his side.

Both dressed like they were heading to a party.

He looked around at the wreckage, and smiled.

“Claire, you insisted I come.”

“So I brought you a little gift. Well? Happy?”

My entire body trembled.

Did he even understand what he had done?

“Adrian Cole… Mom and Dad were first-class national heroes. How dare you?”

He scoffed.

“Your parents? Just two money-grubbing businessmen.

“Vanessa couldn’t even get a second-class medal. And you’re telling me they earned a first-class one?”

I picked up the medals from the floor and shoved them in front of him.

“Look carefully, Adrian.

“These are your parents’ medals.

“They were the ones you were supposed to rescue.

“If you hadn’t abandoned them, they wouldn’t be dead.”

He froze.

“What are you talking about…? That’s impossible.”

Vanessa slapped my hand away.

The medals hit the ground with a sharp clang.

She sneered.

“Now you’re faking military medals too?

“Your parents? Honors? Please. They’d be lucky not to get arrested for tax evasion.”

Something inside me snapped.

I raised my hand, and slapped her.

Hard.

Adrian immediately pulled her into his arms.

He turned to me, fury exploding across his face. I slapped him too.

His expression twisted.

His hand shot up, ready to strike back.

And then, two cold voices cut through the air.

“Adrian Cole.

“Try laying a hand on our daughter.”

He turned.

And went completely still.

My parents had arrived.