Shattered Dreams, Lingering Years

On the day Brett Graham threw his big victory celebration, he held my hand and told everyone I was his destiny.

Even though we were already divorced.

He declared to the whole room that he didn't regret his life-or-death decision, especially since his wife had been among the captives.

Too bad the truth was, on that battlefield, the person he was trying to save wasn't me. It was his mistress.

Just as Brett thought his bright future was finally within reach, the name on the military commendation medal turned out to be mine.

Looking down at Brett from the stage, I spoke frankly to the cameras. "I believe if a peacekeeping soldier, during a hostage exchange with the enemy, only cares about the safety of his lover, it's a true disgrace to the profession."

"Dr. Jenkins, why had we never heard you and Colonel Graham were a couple before this?"

"Was it because you were among the hostages that Colonel Graham acted so recklessly?"

"Colonel Graham seems to be injured. As his wife, do you have anything to say to the public?"

Stepping off the plane, I was immediately swarmed by reporters. A flicker of irony was all that showed in my eyes.

This was my first time back in the country in a year.

I glanced at my watch. It was 10 P.M. Brett had said he'd pick me up at 9 P.M.

Even now, he couldn't keep a promise.

I wasn't sure whether to feel heartbroken or angry.

Luckily, the Special Dispatch vehicle arrived.

"Dr. Jenkins, get in. We'll take you back."

The one speaking was Dominic Mills, leader of the team assigned to protect us medical personnel.

"Thanks, Dominic."

Once I was in his car, my mind finally started to settle.

"Dominic, I owe you one from the field. Not sure I'd be here without you."

"Don't mention it, Dr. Jenkins. I couldn't just stand by and watch so many people sacrifice themselves."

Right. No decent person could stand to watch that many people walk into death.

But Brett could.

He did it all for Yolanda Evans.

Then, I remembered that surveillance footage was still on my laptop. What a show.

Just then, my phone rang.

I knew without looking that it was Brett calling to pick me up.

But there was no way I would answer.

Just thinking of him brought back the scene of him risking everyone, just to save Yolanda.

The phone rang for a long time. I didn't pick up.

Until our car was forced to a stop.

"Dr. Jenkins, I'll check it out."

"I'll go."

I'd already seen Brett's license plate.

"Is this how the Peacekeeping Corps operates now?" I deliberately taunted him.

"Can't we talk about this at home?" He said, his voice suddenly low, clearly noticing Dominic in the car.

"At home? We're divorced."

My face was cold.

"Divorced? Have you forgotten what I said to you on the battlefield yesterday?"

Our eyes locked. Brett suddenly couldn't speak. He looked away, guilty.

"What happened yesterday was an accident. And if we go public with our relationship now, it's a win-win for both of us."

I was silent for just three seconds, but the atmosphere plummeted.

"And, if I smoothly make Colonel..."

His words cut off as my slap landed on his face.

The sound was sharp and clear.

"Brett, did you forget the bullet that whizzed past your ear?"

Now it was his turn for silence.

"You risking your own neck is one thing. But you risked everyone's lives! Do you even know how many nationalities were in that group?"

As I spoke, my heart ached.

"I just made a bad call this time. I was trying to save you all..."

"No, you weren't. You were saving Yolanda!" Saying it felt like a hand was squeezing my throat, the pain intense.

"I'm sorry, believe me, I didn't mean to... "

"Enough!" I forced down the rage, struggling to state the facts calmly. "You heard her secret SOS message to you, and you abandoned the plan, tried to sneak her out alone!"

He said nothing more. Clearly, any excuse was useless against the truth.

I clenched my fist, then let it go, a sense of release washing over me. "You really are crazy about her, aren't you? So crazy you'd throw everything away?"

"Eileen, you're the only one I love." Finally, he responded.

"No, no. You're not getting it. What I mean is, a morally bankrupt, love-struck fool like you being a Colonel makes me sick."

"I know you handled the rescue. But you have to see my side too."

"What do you know? Do you know after you blew the plan, those terrorists wanted to execute everyone? Especially after Yolanda ran first? The feeling of a gun pressed to my head!"

"I'm sorry... " He apologized again.

"But luckily I was armed too. I just never expected, after I fired, the first thing I'd see was you holding Yolanda."

Every word felt like cutting out a piece of my heart.

In our five years of marriage, we'd spent more time apart than together. Yolanda was his childhood friend. I turned a blind eye when they lived together overseas.

Who could have guessed how deep their connection really was?

"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."

Bang! I slammed the door shut. I wouldn't waste another second on that loser.

The victory party was held at the Aceville Global Hotel. I appeared in a long white embroidered dress.

But a woman in a striking red dress, radiating a bold, dazzling aura, had already captured everyone's attention.

Glass of champagne in hand, she clinked glasses with everyone in the room. An uninformed observer might have mistaken her for the hostess of this celebration.

"Ms. Evans, we've heard so much about you. The success of this rescue operation is largely thanks to you, isn't it?"

"Indeed, your translation skills are said to be top-notch in the country."

Yolanda's smile widened at the praise. "Oh, it was all Brett's doing. I just helped a little."

With a few coy remarks, she deftly steered all credit back to Brett, making them seem like some dream team.

I showed little reaction. Yolanda sure was persistent, always making sure she had people singing her praises wherever she went.

As soon as I arrived, those who truly understood the details of the rescue operation gathered around.

"Dr. Jenkins, is it true you fired your weapon on-site?"

"Under such dangerous circumstances, how did you manage to maintain complete trust in Colonel Graham?"

"It's said you and your husband have spent very little time together since marrying. Is that true?"

Before I could answer a single question, Brett had already snatched the microphone.

"My wife just returned to the country and isn't feeling her best. You can direct your questions to me."

Hearing this, the reporters all gushed about how incredibly doting he was.

Only I knew that Brett was scared I might say something he didn't want heard.

"So, Colonel Graham, what do you believe was the key to the final success of the rescue operation?"

"I believe it was due to meticulous planning and the close coordination among the peacekeeping forces."

"Alright. My next question is, was it because your wife, Dr. Jenkins, was among the hostages that you acted so fearlessly?"

"Of course not. As a peacekeeping soldier, my duty is to uphold world peace. However, my wife's presence did give me extra courage."

He answered the reporters' questions while gazing at me with a look of deep affection.

The reporters had had enough of this display of affection.

Only I felt sick looking at his hypocritical act.

"Dr. Jenkins, what did you see when you fired your weapon? Your expression in the surveillance footage seemed particularly sorrowful."

A female reporter pushed through the crowd, asking the question she most wanted answered.

I had just taken the microphone. My lips barely parted when a sharp female voice cut through the air.

"Eileen was so sad because she saw Colonel Graham get injured while trying to save her!"

As Yolanda's voice faded, all eyes turned to the bandage wrapped around Brett's ear.

He was indeed injured.

"Just a graze," Brett quickly added, picking up Yolanda's thread.

Brett couldn't help but watch my expression closely, searching for any reaction.

But I remained utterly calm throughout, seemingly unbothered by Yolanda's interruption.

Brett finally relaxed a little, gently placing his hand on my waist. "Thank you, darling."

Hearing his intimate tone, I simply and subtly pushed his hand away.

"If you had told me back then that the person you liked was me, I would never have married Eileen."

"Brett, I'm so scared. I wish I could just hold you before I die."

I recited, word for word, what the two had said in the surveillance recording.

What I was waiting for was the moment this hypocrite, Brett, lost control of his expression upon hearing these words.

Look at what he did and the people celebrating him today. What a stark contrast and bitter irony this was!

"Eileen, if you're angry, blame me. It has nothing to do with Brett."

Yolanda seized the moment to step between Brett and I, tears welling in her eyes, threatening to fall.

"Blame you? Blame you, the crucial translator, for running away when the crisis hit?"

I stood at 172cm, looking down at Yolanda from a height.

No matter how glam Yolanda dressed, she was nothing next to me.

"Did no one teach you? A translator holding a military position has the same duty as a soldier on the battlefield! And this is how you fulfill it? Treating everyone's safety as a joke for your own personal gain?"