In our first year of marriage, my officer husband and I made love every night, breaking ten bed boards in military housing.

In the second year, he returned safely from a mission, and was awarded a Medal of Honor.

In the third year, he became the head of the Military Base, respectfully addressed by everyone as General Hayes.

Even after taking charge of the entire Military Base, he remained affectionate toward me, regardless of the setting.

The shooting range, the office—traces of our intimacy were everywhere.

The new performer in the military, Tiffany Davis, even wrote a dedicated piece about it in the Military Base newsletter.

[General and his wife "exercise" seven times a day—so enviable, I want that too.]

Benjamin Hayes was furious and immediately suspended Tiffany for investigation.

That night, he clung to me relentlessly—

until the bed boards shattered. In the heat of passion, I heard him whisper softly:

"I want a son and a daughter, a perfect, happy family."

Yet two months later, Tiffany was pregnant with his child.

When I found out, I gave him an ultimatum: divorce me, or cut ties with Tiffany completely.

He locked himself in the shooting range all night, finally printing out the divorce papers. His tone was resolute:

"Tiffany just graduated from university this year. I have to take responsibility for her!"

"The divorce is just a temporary measure. Once the baby is born, I promise I'll remarry you!"

I didn't say a word, simply double-checking the asset division details on the divorce papers.

Then, I signed my name without hesitation: "May you have a wonderful marriage filled with joy."

Benjamin didn't seem to expect me to be so decisive.

In his mind, I was supposed to cry, make a scene, and threaten to harm myself.

Seeing me so calm now, he frowned instead:

"Not even a word to try and stop me, Sophia Williams?!

Have you been wanting to divorce me for a long time?

!"

Before I could reply, he scrutinized me with a probing gaze,

"Or have you been seeing someone else, just waiting to take this money and run off with him?"

Men are all the same. When things don't go as they expect, they resort to slander to cover up their own frustration and guilt.

I sneered, "Benjamin, you're the one who cheated. There's no need to project your guilt onto me."

I looked at him calmly. "I gave you a chance. You chose this divorce yourself."

Benjamin was stunned by my words, unsure if he was surprised by my composure or actually feeling a twinge of guilt.

He lowered his eyes, his tone sheepish,

"Tiffany and I were both drunk that night. She's a young girl; being pregnant out of wedlock would ruin her reputation."

His tone was certain, but his eyes were evasive for a split second.

"Trust me. Once the child gets the birth certificate, I'll remarry you immediately."

"Then we can have her child call you 'Mom.' You won't have to go through the pain of childbirth."

Drunk?

I found his words utterly ridiculous.

The Military Base had strict regulations: officers were absolutely forbidden from drinking.

Even if Tiffany, a mere performer, didn't know the rules, how could he not know?

Besides, being drunk is no excuse for misconduct!

I chuckled softly.

"So, General, are you saying that being drunk justifies doing whatever you want, even cheating on your wife?”"

"Tiffany published those shameless remarks in the newsletter to deliberately provoke me!"

"How dare she call herself a soldier?

Doesn't she know that a violation of military marriage protection laws is a crime?"

I paused, giving Benjamin a meaningful look. "Or is it... that someone has been enabling her all along?"

Benjamin stiffened slightly, his eyes a mix of guilt and unease:

"She knows she was wrong about the newspaper incident, and I've already punished her accordingly. Can you let it go, okay?"

"Sophia, I know I've wronged you, but what's done is unchangable. Don't drag an innocent person into this anymore."

"Her reputation shouldn't be ruined over this. As a man, and as the head of the Military Base, I have to take responsibility!"

His tone was sincere, his voice firm.

But that phrase—"let it go"—shattered the last trace of affection I held for our past.

"Mhm, she's innocent. It was my mistake."

I pointed at the divorce papers. "In that case, let's not keep making mistakes. Just sign it."

Benjamin picked up the pen, hesitated for a few seconds over the signature line, but eventually signed his name neatly.

hesitated for a few seconds over the signature lineFrom age 20 to 28, my life was filled with Benjamin.

One year of knowing each other, two years of dating, five years of marriage.

I remembered when we first got married, he was just a junior officer standing in the corner of the formation.

To get him noticed by his superiors, I pulled every string I had.

When he got injured in training, I would keep the lamp on, applying medicine for him night after night.

Even when I was exhausted after our intimacy, I would just smile and tell him, "I'm fine."

I had a gentle nature and never liked to argue or get entangled in conflicts with others.

Back when we were dating, Benjamin used to tease that my calmness meant I didn't really love him.

Later, to provoke a reaction from me, he deliberately grew close to a female subordinate.

He even treated me coldly for a few days, just to test if I would get jealous.

But in the end, he was the one who surrendered and came to me. The man, who never wanted to bow his head, knelt on one knee that day and held me,

"Sophia, I really lost to you. Even if you show no emotion, I'll take it—I'm yours."

Hearing those words, I threw myself into his arms like a kitten.

Benjamin would never know,

during those few days he disappeared, I searched almost every place in Manhattan he might have gone.

I was already terrified to the core, so much so that when I held him, my voice was trembling:

"Okay!

No going back on your word now!

And… no more disappearing. I'll be worried."

He stiffened, then tightened his arms around me, laughter bubbling in his voice:

"Sophia!

I knew it, you do care about me, don't you?"

"I swear, I will never make you worry again, never..."

That was the moment I decided... he was the one for the rest of my life.

Back then, his training was grueling; he came back almost every day covered in cuts and bruises.

Just to ease his pain a little, I even taught myself to make restorative herbal broth to nourish his body every day.

Later, when he finally worked his way up to Battalion Commander and wasn't so tired, he proposed and said:

"I love Sophia, and Sophia deserves the best."

But now, with everything settled, divorce papers in hand, he said:

"Sophia, don't make this hard for me. Tiffany is pregnant and can't be alone."

He used to hold me, resting his chin on the top of my head, and promise:

"I will definitely climb to a higher position and make you the most glorious General's wife."

I believed him. So, in his first year, when he wanted the Medal of Honor, I made it happen.

In his third year, when he wanted to become the head of the Military Base, I pulled every string for him.

I thought we would go on like this forever. But he forgot—it was because of me that his wishes came true.

Yet, he used that very confidence I helped build to pursue another woman.

That performer was waiting outside the house for military family. She looked innocent, her eyes turning timid the moment she saw me.

As if I were the one bullying her.

Benjamin noticed it too, subtly shielding her by his side.

"Tiffany is young and naive. She's pregnant—don't scare her now."

I shot back, "If a single glance scares her, is she worthy of being a soldier?"

Tiffany's eyes instantly reddened. She hid behind Benjamin, her voice trembling:

"I'm sorry, Ms. Williams. It's my fault. I shouldn't have gotten pregnant. I'll go get an abortion right now..."

"Nonsense!"

Benjamin cut her off immediately, turning to glare at me.

"Sophia, stop being so aggressive! Tiffany is just a naive girl!"

Naive?

Being naive means she could publicly provoke me and wreck a marriage?

Watching Benjamin cradle another woman in his arms, I almost felt like I was the mistress.

I forced a weak smile and said indifferently, "Fine, I'm the aggressive one. It doesn't matter. We won't see each other again anyway."

At my words, Benjamin frowned. It took him a long moment to respond:

"We're parting on good terms. Why create tension now?"

"If you ever need my help, just use my military connections to get to me."

Beside him, Tiffany's smile froze instantly.

I shook my head. "No need. I make it a rule not to get too close to married men."

My words made both their faces change.

As if afraid I would say something else, Tiffany quickly tugged at Benjamin to change the subject.

She slid into the passenger seat—the one that used to be mine—and asked with feigned concern:

"Ms. Williams, it must be hard moving out all by yourself, right?

I know a moving company. Do you want me to set it up for you?"

I smiled. "Benjamin is leaving with nothing but the clothes on his back. The house is mine. Do you really think I need to move?"

Ignoring their darkened expressions, I drove straight to the hospital in my own car.

The test results came quickly. The doctor spoke gently: "Ms. Williams, congratulations. You're eight weeks pregnant."

The baby was within my expectations, but I had no intention of telling Benjamin.

Because he didn't deserve to be this child's father.

The divorce proceedings were finally finalized.

I took all the assets and began investing in my own career.

Rumors spread all over the city. They said General had willingly abandoned his wife and given up all his assets for a mere performer in the military.

He and Tiffany got married quickly. It was so sensational that calling it the wedding of the century in Manhattan wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Although he had left the marriage with nothing, his title as the head of the Military Base ensured he remained wealthy and powerful.

As the wedding took place, public opinion flipped instantly. Everyone began to envy the perfect couple.

Several acquaintances who attended the wedding called me to complain:

"Is Benjamin even human?

He tossed his wife aside just like that, and now he's throwing such a lavish wedding with the new girl so soon!"

"Some people even said he finally 'chose the right one,' and that you should've let go long ago."

I didn't have the patience to listen to any more of this, so I hung up. But then, by chance, I overheard a group of people gossiping on the street corner.

"General is so romantic. He was willing to walk away with nothing just to be with the woman he loves. I'm so jealous."

"His ex-wife is awful. I heard she was incredibly aggressive and demanded all of General' assets!"

"Tiffany looks so sweet and innocent. She's way better than that gold-digging ex. General definitely made the right choice this time!"

"Totally. Tiffany even published a book about their love story. It's so sweet!"

Frowning, I went to a nearby newsstand and bought a copy.

Flipping through it was a real eye-opener.

I never knew someone could describe an affair with such poetic elegance.

There were even reviews attacking me, accusing me of being the one who "tore the lovers apart."

It was laughable. I tossed the book into a roadside trash bin.

Then I remembered—a week before their wedding, Benjamin had called me.

"Sophia," he had said, "Tiffany and I are getting married soon. Will you come?"

I knew exactly why he wanted me there: to convince everyone that we'd parted on good terms.

He wanted to protect Tiffany's reputation.

As he spoke, I could hear Tiffany sobbing softly in the background. She spoke up, sounding wronged and pitiful:

"Sophia, I know you resent me, but I really want your blessing..."

It was almost funny. They were the ones who crossed the line, yet here they were, acting like the bigger people.

My grip on the phone was weak, my fingers numb, but I managed a laugh and said:

"Sure. Since you're inviting me so sincerely, I'll be sure to send a very special gift."

Benjamin sounded relieved on the other end. "I knew it. You're not a petty person, Sophia."

He might have said something else, but I had already hung up and blocked his number.

The doctor said that during pregnancy, I needed to stay away from trashy people and pointless drama.

The next day, my friend told me that Benjamin had been distracted throughout the entire wedding.

He kept staring at the entrance, as if he were waiting for someone.

It wasn't until the wedding reached its peak that a crowd surged in through the doors.

Each of them was holding a massive funeral wreath.

The funeral ribbon messages all bore the same inscription:

"May the newlyweds be together forever, and may the doomed fetus never see the light of day."