"Gayle couldn't refuse me, so his sudden visit didn't bother you, did it?"
I calmly observed the two of them. "I won't invite you in. What's the matter?"
Diana, met with a curt reply, looked at the man beside her with a slightly aggrieved expression.
"Diana wanted to see you. She brought a gift; there's no ill intent."
The man placed the gift box in the entryway.
Diana immediately introduced, “I really like this skincare set and I thought you might need it too. We used to share these things often.”
I glanced at it; it seemed to be the same one my housekeeper used.
“That photo…” Diana’s eyes suddenly reddened, “Geneva, after all these years, you still haven’t let go.”
I crumpled the photo into a ball and threw it in the trash, “You’re overthinking it.”
She made a move to hold my hand, then stopped in mid-air.
“I know you have a knot in your heart. If you are still together, today should be your wedding anniversary.”
“I had no choice in what happened back then. If you’ve truly let go, let us treat you to a meal. Don’t hesitate to tell us if you have any difficulties in life; we’re old comrades.”
I was ready to refuse almost without thinking.
The incense on the altar suddenly sparked.
I smiled slightly and changed my mind, “Okay.”
Diana became much more talkative, even her small gestures.
While recounting her romantic trip to Turkey with her man last month, she applied her own lip balm to his lips with her finger while waiting at a traffic light.
“Every winter I have to remind you. Last time you kissed me too hard and it bled. Never learn?”
The man grabbed her wrist, slightly annoyed. “Stop it.”
“Oh dear, I forgot Geneva is here. Geneva, you won’t mind, will you? Gayle and I are used to it…”
I gently interrupted, “Of course not.”
“I’ve seen you two rolling around in bed together back then. This is nothing.”
Silence fell over the car.
Finally, quiet.
Looking at the scenery along the way, I thought that if my mother were still alive, she would be amazed by the changes.
Back then, my father insisted on divorcing Julie, almost driving her insane.
And my secret marriage to Gayle completely destroyed her.
At first, I only hated my father and Julie.
It was their betrayal that turned my mother from a decisive female military officer into a suspicious and resentful woman.
Time cruelly eroded her vitality.
Later, I hated myself.
After my mother's funeral, instead of my honeymoon, I went alone to the border defense company and stayed for a month.
At that time, I didn't hate Gayle.
He was a hidden gem, a soldier with a troubled past yet unwavering resilience.
Before leaving, I asked Diana to take care of him.
She took excellent care of him, cooking skillfully in our newlywed family apartment, preparing four dishes and a soup, each delicious and visually appealing.
I was truly grateful to her.
That year, the three of us grew closer.
Gayle treated me even better.
With my first merit award bonus, he used it all to buy me the tactical watch I wanted.
On my birthday, he celebrated with fireworks all over the city.
Every time we returned from field training, he would cancel all meetings to be with me.
I never doubted it.
He loved me to the core.
Until that one time, by chance, I went to his office alone.
From behind the ajar door of the lounge came suggestive sounds.
I pushed the door open.
Two naked bodies pierced my eyes like daggers.
I screamed uncontrollably.
His movements to protect the woman beneath him were lightning fast.
"Who let you in! Get out!"
