I went into a difficult labor, and the doctors issued six critical condition notices.
My husband rushed back overnight from the army.
He was covered in blood, hatred surging in his eyes.
“Just to get me here to see you, my best friend drove into a mountain and died. He left behind a widow and a child.”
“How am I supposed to repay this blood debt?!”
Overnight, his best friend’s widow, Evelyn Snow, lost her husband.
And mine… never came home again.
He left me alone to work, to earn money, to raise our child—enduring endless gossip and scorn from the neighbors.
At school, my son was mocked as a fatherless bastard.
I couldn’t take it anymore and went to confront them.
Instead, I was beaten until my head split open, left lying alone on a cold operating table.
With trembling hands, I dialed my husband’s private line.
But it was his aide who answered.
“The commander is attending Comrade Evelyn Snow’s performance.”
“No outsiders are allowed to disturb him.”
My heart went completely cold.
I asked for a divorce.
He promised again and again that in one month, he would return fully to our family.
“When that day comes, I’ll take our son for a ride in a jeep. Let everyone see he has a powerful father.”
My son and I marked off day after day on the calendar, our hearts full of hope.
At last, the day arrived.
But what we saw—
Was a jeep surrounded by a crowd, and inside it, Evelyn Snow sat smiling brightly, holding a child in her arms.
I tightened my grip on my sobbing son.
“Be good. We don’t need a father anymore.”
“Your grandfather’s military-green helicopter is far more impressive than any jeep.”
…
Qingshui Town was small. Even someone buying a simple bicycle would cause a stir.
A jeep?
That was beyond imagination.
The narrow road was completely packed.
Ethan Cole stepped out of the vehicle, looking slightly helpless.
A little boy clung to his leg, whining,
“It’s all mud here, so gross. I don’t want to dirty my new leather shoes. Daddy, carry me.”
My son, Leo, stomped his foot in anger. He shook free from my hand, rushed forward, and shoved the boy hard.
“Get lost! He’s not your dad!”
The boy staggered, caught off guard.
Evelyn Snow quickly picked him up, glaring viciously at Leo.
“Where did this wild child come from? No manners at all.”
Ethan Cole raised his hand, ready to strike Leo to defend Mason.
Leo froze, fists clenched tightly.
In my stories to him—
The day his father came back, he would bring candies, toys, and take him for a ride in a big car.
All those people who bullied him would see.
He wasn’t some bastard.
He had the greatest father in the world.
But after all that waiting…
What he got instead—
Was his father raising a hand to hit him, just to protect another child.
Leo’s voice trembled with tears.
“Mom lied… you’re not my dad at all.”
Ethan’s raised hand trembled midair.
His gaze fell on the black birthmark on Leo’s forehead.
Shock, guilt, and a faint trace of warmth flickered in his eyes.
“It looks like a star… Let’s name our son Leo.”
After that, he never came home again.
Today was the first time in eight years he had seen his son in person.
But that fleeting softness—
Was shattered the moment Evelyn complained,
“Ethan, are you just going to stand there while Mason gets bullied?”
The next second—
A heavy slap landed across Leo’s face.
My whole body went cold.
I rushed forward and shielded Leo, who bit his lip until it bled but refused to cry.
Summoning all my strength, I slapped Ethan back.
“You’ve got some nerve. Just one word from Evelyn and you hit my son?!”
One slap. One shout.
The crowd instantly swarmed around us, their eyes filled with ridicule.
They had been wondering how to curry favor with Commander Cole.
Now that an opportunity had fallen into their laps, they couldn’t wait to tear me apart.
“Emily Shaw, are you insane? How dare you hit Commander Cole?”
“He’s Evelyn’s husband! If he doesn’t defend his own son, who should he defend—yours?”
“Your kid started it first. You unreasonable shrew!”
“Not just a shrew—she’s filthy too.”
“Has anyone even seen her husband all these years? Who knows which man she slept with to have that little bastard.”
Their curses stabbed into my skull like needles.
Ethan’s face showed a trace of hesitation.
But he still stepped in front of Evelyn and her son, shielding them.
Not a single word in my defense.
I clenched my teeth, holding Leo tightly as he trembled and cried in my arms.
Evelyn seemed to realize something, and her expression turned even more smug.
Feigning generosity, she said lightly,
“So you’re the one…”
“Forget it. It’s not easy for a widow and her child. I won’t argue with her.”
But the crowd wouldn’t let it go.
“No way. Attacking a commander is a serious offense. She should be detained for half a month!”
“And that bastard kid even shouted at the commander, asking if he’s his father.
”
“If word gets out, people might think the commander has a questionable moral character.”
I could endure humiliation.
But I would never allow anyone to insult my son.
Suppressing the bitterness rising in my chest, I stared straight at Ethan.
“You tell them yourself.”
“Whose husband are you, exactly?”
The stubbornness with which I held back my tears struck something deep inside him.
His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, as if he were about to say something…
The accompanying guard let out a cold, mocking laugh.
“How ridiculous.”
“In the entire Nanshan unit, who doesn’t know that Sister Evelyn is the woman Commander Cole treasures most—his true wife?”
“To make her happy, a grown man like him even learned to dance, going on stage with her to perform ”
“I’ve been in the army for four years and never once saw the commander late for morning training.
But ever since he got together with Sister Evelyn? He’s been late twenty-eight times in a single month—practically glued to her every moment.”
Every word hit me like a hammer to the chest.
More than two thousand days and nights—
I worked three exhausting jobs, raised our child alone, and at night had to guard myself against unwanted advances.
When I could no longer bear it and cried over the phone just once or twice,
Ethan’s voice on the other end had been cold and distant.
“Evelyn Snow’s husband died in a car accident while bringing me to see you.”
“I’m taking care of her on your behalf—to repay that blood debt. You should be grateful, not act like an ungrateful wretch.”
All these years, I had clung to those words to comfort myself.
I didn’t expect anything. I didn’t disturb him. I didn’t complain.
Even today, I had planned to buy extra meat and vegetables to host Evelyn and her son.
I thought I could treat her like an elder sister-in-law from now on.
But it turned out—
Ethan had shackled me with guilt, while he himself sank deep into a forbidden love with his late friend’s wife.
Then what about all the suffering I had endured these years?
What did it count for?
The crowd erupted.
They surged forward like a wave.
“Emily Shaw, how dare you make that bastard kid call the commander ‘Dad’!”
“You’re trying to smear him!”
“So many men in town tried to help you and your child over the years, and you kept saying you were married—and even hit people!”
“Turns out you just look down on us country folks. Then get out!”
Someone yanked my hair violently backward.
Leo struggled desperately to push them away, but he was kicked to the ground, his face pinned under the feet of those unruly children.
“Enough!”
Ethan roared.
Evelyn’s expression changed slightly as she grabbed his sleeve.
He sighed, gently pushed her aside, and walked over to help Leo and me up.
“Everyone… Emily Shaw is actually… my sister-in-law.”
“After my older brother passed away, the elders wanted me to take care of both households. But as a soldier with proper education, I couldn’t accept such an arrangement.”
“But my sister-in-law… she has feelings for me.
”
“That’s why this misunderstanding happened.”
A misunderstanding.
What a cruel joke.
The already shattered part of my heart felt like it had been stabbed again.
Ethan lowered his voice, trying to soothe me.
“Emily, don’t make things difficult for Evelyn.”
“When you were in labor back then, if it weren’t for rushing to see you, her husband wouldn’t have been driving so fast.”
“This is something you owe her.
”
Again.
That same sentence.
It made it impossible for me to hate Ethan… or even Evelyn.
All these years of loneliness and suffering—
I had swallowed them whole, like shards of glass.
But that child wasn’t mine alone.
Why should all the blame fall on me?
My heart turned cold.
I didn’t want to argue anymore.
Since Evelyn wanted Ethan so badly—
Then I would give him to her.
From this moment on, we would be even.
I shook off Ethan’s hand and spoke calmly,
“Yes. I am Commander Cole’s sister-in-law.”
“Leo, call him ‘uncle.’”
“I won’t.”
“Call him.”
“…Uncle.”
Ethan froze.
He didn’t respond for a long moment, a storm of emotions flickering in his eyes.
Wasn’t this what he wanted?
Then why hesitate now?
He crouched down, pulling a pack of milk candies from his pocket, trying to hand them to Leo.
I pushed his hand away and led my son out.
Without looking back once.
…
When I got home, I had just begun packing our things—
The courtyard gate was suddenly pushed open.
Ethan walked in, holding Evelyn and her child’s hands.
My face turned cold.
“What are you doing back here?”
He dragged his luggage inside, brushing past me.
“That’s enough. Stop being stubborn. Haven’t you been waiting all these years for me to come back?”
“I could’ve been transferred to the capital.
But I remembered you don’t like the dry northern climate, so I came back to Qingshui Town instead.”
“From now on, the five of us will live together as a family.”
For a moment, I thought I had misheard.
“A family of five? Ethan Cole, what exactly do you take me for?”
“My wife, of course.”
He paused, then turned back with a smile, adding casually,
“But in public, you’ll still be my sister-in-law. Don’t slip up—Evelyn wouldn’t be able to face people.
”
He walked straight into the master bedroom and threw all of mine and Leo’s bedding, clothes, and books out.
Then he took out a brand-new set of sheets and carefully made the bed.
Those strong hands—
Once risked everything to pull me out of raging floodwaters.
Stayed by my side in the hospital without rest.
That was when I fell in love with him at first sight.
I defied my father, severed ties with my family, and married him without hesitation.
And now—
Those same hands were making a bed for another woman.
Everything…
Should return to where it belongs.
I bent down and gently comforted Leo, who was still crying uncontrollably.
“I already called your grandfather. He’ll be here soon to take us away.”
“He’s amazing—he even has a helicopter. Didn’t you always wish you could fly like the birds?”
Leo’s tear-swollen eyes lit up instantly, and he nodded vigorously.
“Mom… I’m hungry.”
I rubbed his cheek and went into the kitchen to start cooking.
Evelyn leaned lazily against the doorframe, a mocking smile on her lips.
“You’re really something.”
“I’ve already moved in, and you’re still in the mood to cook for Ethan? Or are you planning to serve me during my postpartum recovery when I have my second child?”
I didn’t even bother to look up.
It was like punching cotton—her expression darkened as she glared at me.
After a moment’s hesitation, she seemed to make up her mind.
Lowering her voice, she said:
“Actually, my husband Victor’s death had nothing to do with you.”
“Back then, when you were in labor, Ethan insisted that Victor detour to a pastry shop in the east side of the city before going to the hospital.”
“Everyone thought it was to buy something for you… but really, it was just because I casually mentioned I was craving chestnut cakes.
”
“Who would’ve thought… the accident would happen on that very road?”
She covered her mouth, letting out a soft, delighted laugh.
“Ethan and I were each other’s first love. We got separated when we were sent down to the countryside.”
“And now, after all these twists and turns, we’ve found our way back to each other.”
“This is what people call a love that was meant to be.”
It felt as if my heart had been crushed in an instant, the pain so suffocating I could barely breathe.
For eight years, I had believed Ethan’s lies without the slightest doubt.
Time and again, I swallowed my pride, endured everything—just to atone for a guilt that was never mine.
I thought that if I humbled myself enough,
then when Ethan used “repaying a debt” as an excuse to stay by Evelyn’s side, he might, just occasionally, remember me and Leo.
I was wrong.
Completely wrong.
He had only been stepping on my broken flesh without a shred of guilt, indulging himself in the thrill of a forbidden love with Evelyn.
A smug smile spread across Evelyn’s face.
“Today, I’ll make sure you finally give up and leave the Cole family for good.”
She suddenly slashed her own arm deeply and let out a piercing scream.
“Emily, if you resent me for taking Ethan, just say it. I’ll leave on my own.”
“Why would you do this—”
Ethan rushed in.
In a panic, he grabbed gauze and began wrapping Evelyn’s wound, then turned to me with fury blazing in his eyes.
“Killing her husband wasn’t enough for you? Now you’re trying to hurt her too?”
“You’re nothing but an ungrateful wretch!”
At that moment, when my heart had already died completely, I felt something almost absurd.
I let out a cold laugh.
“Ungrateful? And what does that make you?”
“You sleep with your dead friend’s wife, and that’s what—having a conscience?”
The words struck him like a blade.
His face turned deathly pale.
“You… you still have the nerve to ask me that?”
“How did you raise a child all these years as a woman on your own? I never even questioned how many men you’ve slept with.”
A bitter taste surged up my throat.
Disgusting.
Absolutely disgusting.
I pressed a hand to my stomach, trying to suppress the nausea rising within me.
Ethan grabbed my wrist tightly.
“You still dare to stand here and act pitiful?”
“This is only the first day and you’re already jealous and making a scene.
How are we supposed to live together for the rest of our lives?”
“So this is how you injured Evelyn, isn’t it?”
He picked up a knife and moved to slash my hand.
“Don’t hurt my mom!”
Leo suddenly rushed in, throwing himself in front of me, arms spread wide.
Ethan was startled. The knife slipped from his hand—
And came crashing down.
“Ah—!”
Leo collapsed to the ground, his body curling in pain.
His arm hung limply, bone shattered, barely held together by flesh and sinew.
Blood spread across the floor.
My fingers went numb.
I turned to Ethan and screamed,
“Drive! Take Leo to the hospital now!”
His expression tightened, and he immediately grabbed his car keys, about to rush out.
But Evelyn clutched her wrist, sobbing pitifully.
“My hand hurts so much, Ethan… will I never be able to dance again?”
The moment Ethan met her tearful eyes, the flicker of guilt on his face vanished.
His fist clenched as he turned back to me, voice icy.
“You need to learn your lesson today.”
“Apologize to Evelyn right now, or I won’t take Leo to the hospital.”
“Are you insane? Ethan Cole, that’s your son! If we delay any longer, he could die!”
Ethan stood in the doorway, blocking the exit.
His dark eyes looked at me without a trace of warmth.
“He’s your son too.”
“You need to remember this feeling—the fear and pain of losing someone you love.
”
“Learn to understand what Evelyn has gone through, and behave yourself. From now on, you’ll take care of her with me for the rest of your life.”
Evelyn shot me a mocking glance.
Her lips formed a silent word—
“Pathetic.”
I stood frozen.
It felt like my heart was being torn into two halves.
One half was the humiliation of eight years spent repenting for a lie.
The other was my terror for Leo.
He was covered in blood, his breathing growing weaker and weaker.
I bit down so hard that I tasted blood in my mouth.
Then—
My knees buckled.
I dropped to the ground.
Lowering my head before Evelyn, who stood above me like a queen,
I slapped myself hard across the face.
“I’m sorry… I was wrong. I won’t ever hurt you again. Please—please let Ethan take Leo to the hospital…”
The very next second—
A deafening roar filled the air outside.
The thunderous sound of a helicopter landing shook the entire yard.
A middle-aged man in a crisp Zhongshan suit strode in, his voice booming with authority.
“Who dares bully my daughter?!”
I turned around.
And the moment I saw that familiar face—
My nose stung, and tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Ten years.
It had been ten years.
The father I remembered—so confident, so commanding—
now had strands of white in his hair.
Back then, I had come to Qingshui Town for a visit, only to be caught in a once-in-a-century flood.
I drifted on a wooden plank for three days and nights.
When I was thirsty, I could only drink muddy water.
The pain in my stomach was so intense it felt like it was twisting into knots.
Thin water snakes slithered past me from time to time.
Just when I was about to lose all hope—
A beam of light suddenly cut through the darkness, illuminating my face.
“Comrade! Don’t be afraid! We’re here to rescue you—hold on!”
The small boat drew closer and closer.
But I had already run out of strength.
My hands slipped from the plank, and I sank into the raging waters.
In my fading consciousness, I felt a strong pair of arms pulling me into a warm embrace.
“Trust me. You’re not going to die.”
I remained unconscious in the hospital for three whole days.
When I finally woke up—
The first person I saw was Ethan, unshaven, leaning over my bedside.
His face lit up with joy.
“You’re finally awake.”
Everything that followed seemed to happen naturally.
He stayed by my side day and night, taking care of me.
And when he had carried me ashore that day, many people had seen me lying half-clothed in his arms.
Even though everyone knew it was a rescue,
rumors still spread.
But at the time, I had already secretly fallen for this handsome and kind-hearted soldier.
So when he said he would take responsibility and marry me—
I agreed without hesitation.
Back then, he was just an unknown new recruit.
So poor his family could barely afford to eat.
My father, the richest man in the provincial capital, fiercely opposed the marriage.
“My foolish daughter, whatever you look for in a man, don’t make it just how he treats you.”
“What if one day he stops treating you well? Then you’ll have nothing left.
”
“So many talented young men are lining up at our door to marry you—why choose this place, this backwater town, to suffer?”
“You’ll have no one there. If he mistreats you, who will you turn to?”
But I was young.
Blinded by love.
I didn’t listen to a single word.
I even argued with my father, went to the notary office, and severed our relationship.
All these years, during the hardships, I had thought of going back.
But I held onto a stubborn hope—
That one day, I would win this gamble.
That Ethan would eventually repay his debt and return to me and Leo.
That he would rise to become a powerful commander—
And I would bring him back to my father, proving him wrong.
Instead—
I had slammed headfirst into reality.
Broken beyond repair.
In the end, the only person in this world who still loved me unconditionally—
Was my father.
I fell to my knees before him, sobbing uncontrollably.
“Dad… I know I was wrong. Please, take Leo to the hospital. If we wait any longer, it’ll be too late…”
My father froze for a moment.
Only then did his gaze shift away from me—
And land on the small boy curled up in the corner, covered in blood.
His eyes went bloodshot.
“Quick—get my grandson onto the helicopter! Take him to the best hospital in the provincial capital!”
“Who did this to my grandson?! I will make them pay a hundredfold! Animals!”
A group of black-clad bodyguards flooded into the courtyard.
Their expressions were cold and deadly, as if they would charge forward at a single command.
Evelyn’s face turned pale with fear. She clamped a hand over Mason’s mouth, not daring to meet my eyes.
But Ethan—
His face flushed red, veins bulging at his temples.
He looked utterly furious.
With bloodshot eyes, he demanded hoarsely,
“Emily Shaw, explain yourself! That man—he’s your father?”
“When we got married, you said you were an orphan. You even told me not to waste money on a wedding because my family was poor.”
“So where did this father suddenly come from?”
“No wonder people in town always said you were involved with other men while raising your child alone.”
“I trusted you so much… and now it turns out you’re really this shameless? You even hooked up with an old man like him—”
“Tell me the truth—Leo… is he even my son?!”
Smack!
I gathered all my strength and slapped him across the face.
The impact made my own wrist go numb.
Before he could react, the bodyguards surged forward, twisting his arms behind his back and forcing him to the ground.
He struggled wildly.
His cheek scraped against the rough ground, leaving streaks of blood.
I looked down at him from above—
My voice colder than ice.
“Ethan Cole, the one thing you’ve mastered in this life… is twisting the truth and blaming others, isn’t it?”
“Eight years ago, you watched me give birth to our son with your own eyes. I labored for three days and nights, hovering at death’s door. If fate hadn’t spared me, I wouldn’t have made it.”
“And yet, instead of remembering that I risked my life to give your family a child, you chose to smear me with filth.
Sometimes I even wonder… was the man who pulled me out of the flood back then—so upright, so kind—really you?”
Ethan clenched his teeth.
“How would I know what you did during those eight years I wasn’t around—whether you—”
“Ah—!”
His filthy accusation was cut off mid-sentence.
I had grabbed a pair of iron tongs and struck him hard across the mouth.
The blow was so fierce that his lips swelled instantly, blood spilling out.
He opened his mouth in pain, but no sound came out.
I tightened my grip, my palms digging into themselves.
“As for whether you acknowledge our son or not—I don’t care to argue anymore. From today on, Leo has nothing to do with you, Ethan Cole. He will carry my surname.”
“But what happened eight years ago—Victor Horne’s death—that’s something we need to settle properly.”
“How heartless you are.”
“You had already gotten involved with Evelyn behind my back.
When I was in labor, fighting for my life, instead of coming to the hospital, you insisted on going to some pastry shop in the east side to buy her chestnut cakes.”
“It was because of that detour that Victor got into the accident. That’s why he died. It had nothing to do with me!”
“And you, Ethan Cole—”
My chest tightened so violently I could barely breathe.
Rage surged through me as I drove the iron tongs straight into his thigh.
The force tore through flesh, leaving a bloody hole.
He convulsed in agony, veins bulging across his neck, screaming hoarsely.
How blind I must have been… to fall for such a coward.
“You pinned that guilt on me just so you could continue your affair with Evelyn in peace.”
“You made me stay in this town, raising our child alone, never daring to go to the Nanshan unit and make a scene.”
“You lied for so long… you probably started believing it yourself.
”
“Ethan Cole—you were the one who caused Victor’s death. You killed your own brother-in-arms… then slept with his wife, and let his son call you father.”
“A man like you deserves to be thrown into hell and boiled in oil!”
Ethan’s face turned deathly pale.
Whether from pain or guilt, I couldn’t tell.
He didn’t dare curse me anymore.
Didn’t even dare cry out.
He simply clenched his teeth, saying nothing.
I let out a cold laugh.
“Didn’t you once say Victor was your sworn brother?”
“That he saved your life—and back when you were sent down to the countryside, if it weren’t for him, your parents would have fallen off that mountain and died?”
“And this is how you repay your savior?”
“This is how you treat your wife, who stood by you through everything?”
“Do you have no conscience at all?!”
“I wonder—when you lie awake at night, do you ever see Victor’s ghost coming back to claim his life from you?!”
“Stop… stop talking! Please, I’m begging you!”
Ethan covered his ears, shaking his head wildly.
As if that could erase everything.
As if no one would ever know the sins he had committed.
“Ethan Cole, today I’d really like to cut open your chest and see whether your heart is even human.”
I even “kindly” held the knife over a flame for a moment—
Sterilizing it first.
Wouldn’t want him dying of infection in my hands.
That would be unlucky.
But Ethan didn’t appreciate the gesture.
His eyes widened in terror, like he’d seen a ghost, screaming as he tried to shrink back—
Only to be held firmly in place by the bodyguards.
It was almost comical.
When the glowing blade hovered before him, he begged so desperately his voice went hoarse.
“Emily, it wasn’t me! It was Evelyn—she seduced me!”
“Yes, it was her! She was shameless, throwing herself at me!”
“You know what it’s like in the unit—so many men, exhausting training… it gets lonely.”
“I just lost my head for a moment and let her manipulate me into doing those stupid things.”
“All these years, she’s been whispering in my ear, saying you and the child would get into trouble living alone in Qingshui Town.”
“And back then, she was the one who refused to let me tell the truth about the accident—she was afraid Victor’s family would come after her.
”
“Debts have their owners, Emily—please…”
I let out a soft laugh, idly turning the knife in my hand, then tilted my chin toward Evelyn, who stood frozen in shock.
“Well? Still standing there?”
“Didn’t you hear him? He says it’s all your fault. Wants me to settle the score with you.”
The gleam of the blade reflected in her eyes.
Evelyn finally snapped out of it.
With a thud, she dropped to her knees, opening her mouth to wail—
“Heavens—!”
I rubbed my ear.
“If you have something to say, say it. One more scream and I’ll cut your tongue out.”
She fell silent instantly.
Nodding frantically.
Clutching her sleeve, she hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, her voice trembling with both sorrow and resentment.
“It takes two hands to clap, doesn’t it?”
“Emily… he’s a grown man over six feet tall. If he didn’t agree, could I have forced him?”
“And about that accident—who benefited more from it? Him, or me?”
“It was Ethan who said we should pin the blame on you.”
“That way, when we returned to Qingshui Town, you would stay obedient, raising both children for us, while I could go out to work.”
“And when you grew old… when you were close to death… only then would we tell you the truth.”
“If a single word I’ve said is a lie, may I be struck by lightning.
”
Ethan’s eyes nearly burst with rage.
He glared at Evelyn, hatred burning so fiercely it seemed he might devour her alive.
Not a trace of affection remained.
“Bitch! I’ll kill you!”
A mocking smile curved my lips.
Weren’t they supposed to be first loves?
Star-crossed lovers torn apart by fate?
The couple everyone in Nanshan envied?
So deeply in love, inseparable?
Then why—
At this moment—
Was there no love left at all?
Men…
No, people in general.
When they love, it’s all passion and devotion.
When they don’t—
They’d rather tear each other to pieces.
How ironic.
Clang—
I tossed the knife aside.
“Ethan Cole, you’re not worth dirtying my hands.”
“My life with Leo will only get better from here.”
“And you… will rot in the gutter for the rest of your life.”
I turned around and met my father’s approving gaze.
“Not acting on impulse—that’s my girl.
”
Outside the courtyard, the helicopter had already landed.
The entire town had been drawn out by the deafening noise, gathering around in awe.
They circled the machine, curious yet hesitant, not daring to get too close under the watchful eyes of the guards.
Someone spotted me and immediately put on a flattering smile, completely different from the mocking face they’d shown before.
“Emily! Oh my—this helicopter is here for Commander Cole, isn’t it? As his sister-in-law, you must be getting a taste of the good life now!”
“Could you ask him to let my son take a ride too?”
“Oh, and next month my boy’s getting married—could we borrow this helicopter for the wedding procession?”
My father looked at me deeply.
That look seemed to say—
This is the place you insisted on marrying into, no matter what.
Not a single normal person here.
I rolled my eyes.
Then, under the stunned gazes of the townspeople, I boarded the helicopter.
The spinning blades whipped up a storm of wind and dust, sending sand flying straight into their faces.
They seemed to still be shouting something—
And in the distance, a bloodied figure crawled out of the house, waving frantically at me.
I lifted my head.
And chose not to care anymore.
About any of them.
The sky stretched wide above me, painted in crimson sunset hues.
And at last—
The darkness in my heart began to fade.
My father took my rough, calloused hands in his.
Tears streamed down his face.
“You grew up pampered.
You never even washed a single bowl.”
“How did your hands become rougher than our housemaid’s in just a few years? You’re only twenty-seven…”
I fell silent.
There was nothing to say.
In the end, it was my own fault—
Too naive, too easily deceived by Ethan’s sweet words.
Then trapped for years under his monstrous lie,
Never even given a chance to breathe.
I worked three jobs.
Selling breakfast in the morning.
Helping with farm work in the afternoon.
Doing laundry at night.
With a child to raise, no proper company would hire me.
I could only take whatever odd work I could find.
Barely scraping by.
But at least—
Everything was over now.
“Ethan Cole, the one thing you’ve mastered in this life… is twisting the truth and blaming others, isn’t it?”
“Eight years ago, you watched me give birth to our son with your own eyes.
I labored for three days and nights, hovering at death’s door. If fate hadn’t spared me, I wouldn’t have made it.”
“And yet, instead of remembering that I risked my life to give your family a child, you chose to smear me with filth. Sometimes I even wonder… was the man who pulled me out of the flood back then—so upright, so kind—really you?”
Ethan clenched his teeth.
“How would I know what you did during those eight years I wasn’t around—whether you—”
“Ah—!”
His filthy accusation was cut off mid-sentence.
I had grabbed a pair of iron tongs and struck him hard across the mouth.
The blow was so fierce that his lips swelled instantly, blood spilling out.
He opened his mouth in pain, but no sound came out.
I tightened my grip, my palms digging into themselves.
“As for whether you acknowledge our son or not—I don’t care to argue anymore. From today on, Leo has nothing to do with you, Ethan Cole.
He will carry my surname.”
“But what happened eight years ago—Victor Horne’s death—that’s something we need to settle properly.”
“How heartless you are.”
“You had already gotten involved with Evelyn behind my back. When I was in labor, fighting for my life, instead of coming to the hospital, you insisted on going to some pastry shop in the east side to buy her chestnut cakes.”
“It was because of that detour that Victor got into the accident.
That’s why he died. It had nothing to do with me!”
“And you, Ethan Cole—”
My chest tightened so violently I could barely breathe.
Rage surged through me as I drove the iron tongs straight into his thigh.
The force tore through flesh, leaving a bloody hole.
He convulsed in agony, veins bulging across his neck, screaming hoarsely.
How blind I must have been… to fall for such a coward.
“You pinned that guilt on me just so you could continue your affair with Evelyn in peace.
”
“You made me stay in this town, raising our child alone, never daring to go to the Nanshan unit and make a scene.”
“You lied for so long… you probably started believing it yourself.”
“Ethan Cole—you were the one who caused Victor’s death. You killed your own brother-in-arms… then slept with his wife, and let his son call you father.”
“A man like you deserves to be thrown into hell and boiled in oil!”
Ethan’s face turned deathly pale.
Whether from pain or guilt, I couldn’t tell.
He didn’t dare curse me anymore.
Didn’t even dare cry out.
He simply clenched his teeth, saying nothing.
I let out a cold laugh.
“Didn’t you once say Victor was your sworn brother?”
“That he saved your life—and back when you were sent down to the countryside, if it weren’t for him, your parents would have fallen off that mountain and died?”
“And this is how you repay your savior?”
“This is how you treat your wife, who stood by you through everything?”
“Do you have no conscience at all?!”
“I wonder—when you lie awake at night, do you ever see Victor’s ghost coming back to claim his life from you?!”
“Stop… stop talking! Please, I’m begging you!”
Ethan covered his ears, shaking his head wildly.
As if that could erase everything.
As if no one would ever know the sins he had committed.
“Ethan Cole, today I’d really like to cut open your chest and see whether your heart is even human.”
I even “kindly” held the knife over a flame for a moment—
Sterilizing it first.
Wouldn’t want him dying of infection in my hands.
That would be unlucky.
But Ethan didn’t appreciate the gesture.
His eyes widened in terror, like he’d seen a ghost, screaming as he tried to shrink back—
Only to be held firmly in place by the bodyguards.
It was almost comical.
When the glowing blade hovered before him, he begged so desperately his voice went hoarse.
“Emily, it wasn’t me! It was Evelyn—she seduced me!”
“Yes, it was her! She was shameless, throwing herself at me!”
“You know what it’s like in the unit—so many men, exhausting training… it gets lonely.”
“I just lost my head for a moment and let her manipulate me into doing those stupid things.
”
“All these years, she’s been whispering in my ear, saying you and the child would get into trouble living alone in Qingshui Town.”
“And back then, she was the one who refused to let me tell the truth about the accident—she was afraid Victor’s family would come after her.”
“Debts have their owners, Emily—please…”
I let out a soft laugh, idly turning the knife in my hand, then tilted my chin toward Evelyn, who stood frozen in shock.
“Well? Still standing there?”
“Didn’t you hear him? He says it’s all your fault. Wants me to settle the score with you.”
The gleam of the blade reflected in her eyes.
Evelyn finally snapped out of it.
With a thud, she dropped to her knees, opening her mouth to wail—
“Heavens—!”
I rubbed my ear.
“If you have something to say, say it. One more scream and I’ll cut your tongue out.”
She fell silent instantly.
Nodding frantically.
Clutching her sleeve, she hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, her voice trembling with both sorrow and resentment.
“It takes two hands to clap, doesn’t it?”
“Emily… he’s a grown man over six feet tall. If he didn’t agree, could I have forced him?”
“And about that accident—who benefited more from it? Him, or me?”
“It was Ethan who said we should pin the blame on you.”
“That way, when we returned to Qingshui Town, you would stay obedient, raising both children for us, while I could go out to work.”
“And when you grew old… when you were close to death… only then would we tell you the truth.”
“If a single word I’ve said is a lie, may I be struck by lightning.”
Ethan’s eyes nearly burst with rage.
He glared at Evelyn, hatred burning so fiercely it seemed he might devour her alive.
Not a trace of affection remained.
“Bitch! I’ll kill you!”
A mocking smile curved my lips.
Weren’t they supposed to be first loves?
Star-crossed lovers torn apart by fate?
The couple everyone in Nanshan envied?
So deeply in love, inseparable?
Then why—
At this moment—
Was there no love left at all?
Men…
No, people in general.
When they love, it’s all passion and devotion.
When they don’t—
They’d rather tear each other to pieces.
How ironic.
Clang—
I tossed the knife aside.
“Ethan Cole, you’re not worth dirtying my hands.”
“My life with Leo will only get better from here.”
“And you… will rot in the gutter for the rest of your life.”
I turned around and met my father’s approving gaze.
“Not acting on impulse—that’s my girl.”
Outside the courtyard, the helicopter had already landed.
The entire town had been drawn out by the deafening noise, gathering around in awe.
They circled the machine, curious yet hesitant, not daring to get too close under the watchful eyes of the guards.
Someone spotted me and immediately put on a flattering smile, completely different from the mocking face they’d shown before.
“Emily! Oh my—this helicopter is here for Commander Cole, isn’t it? As his sister-in-law, you must be getting a taste of the good life now!”
“Could you ask him to let my son take a ride too?”
“Oh, and next month my boy’s getting married—could we borrow this helicopter for the wedding procession?”
My father looked at me deeply.
That look seemed to say—
This is the place you insisted on marrying into, no matter what.
Not a single normal person here.
I rolled my eyes.
Then, under the stunned gazes of the townspeople, I boarded the helicopter.
The spinning blades whipped up a storm of wind and dust, sending sand flying straight into their faces.
They seemed to still be shouting something—
And in the distance, a bloodied figure crawled out of the house, waving frantically at me.
I lifted my head.
And chose not to care anymore.
About any of them.
The sky stretched wide above me, painted in crimson sunset hues.
And at last—
The darkness in my heart began to fade.
My father took my rough, calloused hands in his.
Tears streamed down his face.
“You grew up pampered.
You never even washed a single bowl.”
“How did your hands become rougher than our housemaid’s in just a few years? You’re only twenty-seven…”
I fell silent.
There was nothing to say.
In the end, it was my own fault—
Too naive, too easily deceived by Ethan’s sweet words.
Then trapped for years under his monstrous lie,
Never even given a chance to breathe.
I worked three jobs.
Selling breakfast in the morning.
Helping with farm work in the afternoon.
Doing laundry at night.
With a child to raise, no proper company would hire me.
I could only take whatever odd work I could find.
Barely scraping by.
But at least—
Everything was over now.
I followed my father straight to the hospital to see Leo.
The moment I saw that small, frail figure lying on the bed, tears fell uncontrollably from my eyes.
The doctor offered a few words of reassurance.
“You brought him in just in time. The surgery was very successful.”
“His arm has been fully reattached. As long as he recovers properly, there won’t be any lasting damage.”
“We’ve also used the best pain medication, so he won’t suffer much.”
Only then did I finally breathe again.
A servant wheeled in a dining cart, filled with an array of exquisite dishes.
Even after all these years, my father still remembered that I loved sweet flavors.
Sweet-and-sour ribs, crispy mandarin fish, and a variety of soft rice cakes.
Leo stared at them with wide eyes, practically drooling.
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Mom… can I have a bite? Just a tiny one.”
I adjusted his hospital bed, set up the tray, and placed the dishes neatly in front of him.
“Leo, from now on, you can eat as much of this as you want.
”
“Really?”
“But… aren’t these expensive? Mom works so hard to earn money. I don’t want you to suffer. Just a little is enough for me.”
My chest tightened.
All these years, my son had known nothing but hardship.
Even in these difficult times, most children still had a few coins for snacks.
But Leo had nothing.
No toys.
Not even the smallest treats.
He could only squat by the roadside, staring longingly at the candies and biscuits in other children’s hands.
That was why he’d been bullied.
Even forced to bark like a dog.
I stood up and led my father, who had been discussing treatment plans with the doctor, into the room.
I gently placed his hand over Leo’s.
“Leo, this is the grandfather I told you about.”
“You were unconscious before—you didn’t know. He was the one who sent the helicopter to bring you here.”
“Grandpa is amazing. From now on, we won’t have to live such hard lives anymore.
You’ll live in a big house, ride in cars, have a whole room full of toys… and even keep a puppy if you want.”
Leo stared at me, stunned.
He rubbed his ears, then pinched himself hard.
“Ouch… that hurts.”
“So it’s not a dream… I really have a grandpa!”
He threw himself into my father’s arms, crying loudly—
as if releasing all the pain he had endured over the years.
My father gently stroked his head, then shot me an annoyed look.
“You chose to suffer, fine. But you dragged my grandson into it too.”
Leo suddenly seemed to remember something.
“Mom… what about Dad?”
The air fell silent.
After a moment, I spoke softly,
“Leo… actually, that man today wasn’t your father.”
“I lied to you all this time.”
“Your father… passed away many years ago.”
“Passed away? That means… he died?”
“How did he die?”
…Such a curious child.
I rubbed my temples, choosing my words carefully.
“Many years ago, there was a flood in Qingshui Town. The water swallowed the whole village.”
“Your father died while saving people.”
“But it’s okay, Leo. Even without a father, you still have me… and your grandpa. We’ll always be with you.”
He nodded, half understanding.
But soon, his attention was captured by the delicious food in front of him.
His world had never truly included a father anyway.
So he adapted quickly.
Even after transferring to a new school, when some children still mocked him for not having a father—
Leo no longer hid away crying or lashed out in fights like before.
Instead, he proudly showed off his new toys.
“Hmph, what’s so great about having a dad?”
“My grandpa bought me imported car models, chocolate cookies—and I even have a driver taking me to school. Do you?”
Children are simple.
Give them something fun or tasty, and they’ll come running.
Soon enough, they all wanted to be Leo’s friend.
He became more cheerful, more open.
And I finally let out a long breath.
…
As for Ethan and Evelyn—
they fell into their own living hell.
After recovering for over half a month, Ethan limped back to the Nanshan unit.
The moment he arrived, he snapped at everyone.
“What are you all staring at? Get back to training! Have I been too lenient with you?”
“Where are my things? Who moved everything out of my quarters?”
“So I’ve been gone half a month and now there are thieves in Nanshan?”
“All units, assemble—!”
A young recruit nearby sneered.
“No need to assemble, sir.”
“You’ve got eyes under those brows, don’t you? Didn’t see the big notice posted at the gate?”
“Every word is written loud and clear. How do you still have the nerve to act like nothing happened?”
A bad feeling rose in Ethan’s chest.
Before he could ask—
a guard hurried over.
“Comrade Ethan, report to the superior officer’s office immediately. Everyone else, disperse.”
Uneasy, Ethan walked in.
The moment he stepped inside—
A stack of documents was thrown at him, papers scattering across the floor.
“You’ve been dismissed. Pack your things and get out.”
He picked up the files.
Every single page detailed accusations of misconduct.
He opened his mouth to explain—
But in the end, lowered his head in silence.
…
“Miss, that man named Ethan has been kneeling outside the Shaw residence all day, insisting on seeing you. Should we—”
I lounged lazily on the sofa, spitting out a grape skin.
Without even lifting my eyelids, I said,
“Throw him out.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Moments later, screams echoed from outside the gate.
After a round of beatings from the guards, Ethan fled in disgrace.
Before leaving, he shouted from afar—
“Emily! Just wait! I’ll prove my sincerity to you!”
I thought he would come up with more tricks to pester me.
But later, I saw the news.
He had tried to drag Evelyn and her son to apologize to me—
But when they refused,
He killed them both in a fit of rage.
Even the six-year-old child.
The neighbors whispered in shock.
“What kind of hatred is that? Even killing a child…”
“I heard the kid was calling him ‘Dad’ while begging him to stop.”
“That can’t be his real son, right? No parent would do that.”
“When the police came, he refused to leave, laughing like a madman, saying Emily would forgive him.”
“Who’s Emily? No one around here has that name… Could it be he killed his wife and child just to please his mistress?”
“Terrifying…”
I frowned.
Even now, Ethan was still causing trouble for me.
He was already as good as dead—and yet he still wanted to drag my life into chaos.
At this rate, people in the capital would start digging into my past sooner or later.
More gossip. More noise.
Just then, Leo had been watching a TV show and became fascinated with Europe.
So I made a decision.
I had my father arrange our immigration.
And I took Leo to a small coastal town in southern France—
To begin a completely new life.
All the past entanglements—
Let them fade away with the wind.
From now on—
Every single day of the rest of my life would be the best one yet.
END
