I grabbed everything within reach and smashed it like a madman.
Gayle, blood trickling from his forehead, still fiercely protected the woman in his arms.
I smashed everything I could in the room.
But I dared not approach them, since those were the two people I loved most in my life.
Fear gripped my heart, my teeth chattering as I said, "Diana, look at me."
The woman, her face swollen from crying, struggled to kneel before me from under the covers. "Geneva, I'm sorry."
"Gayle and I shouldn't have done that, but we truly love each other. Please, please, grant us your blessing."
Her humble appearance was exactly like when we first met, cornered by thugs in the training field.
It was then that, to protect her, I, as an outstanding trainee, received my first disciplinary action.
I had personally handed her my wedding bouquet, wishing her happiness.
Now she laid in my husband's arms, begging me to grant her my blessing.
Tears streamed down my face, my voice trembling as I asked, "When did it start?"
Her lips trembled, unable to speak.
He answered for her, "Does it matter? Haven't you made enough of a scene? This is a military camp, not your home."
"Does it matter? You asked me, does it matter, Gayle?!" I screamed hoarsely.
He stood naked, his gaze calm. "Fine, I'll tell you!"
"Last March, you insisted on being transferred to the border post and that's when we got together."
"I didn't intentionally hide it from you, but you just lost your mother and I didn't want to hurt you further, so I let you maintain this marriage."
"Diana has already sacrificed too much; I can't see her suffer any more. I originally planned to divorce her after your mother's death anniversary."
"Since you've found out, let's lay it all out."
"Let's get a divorce. Name your terms. I only want Diana."
At that moment, I finally understood.
Back then, when I stood on Gayle's side and pushed my mother away, how heavy was that push?
Before divorcing Gayle, I made a huge scene.
I took photos of their disheveled state, printed them as flyers and stuffed them into every company's mailbox.
Banners exposing their relationship hung all over the building.
I posted accusations on the forum of Diana's university.
At her graduation ceremony, I hired someone to play our old photos on a large screen.
Those memories I cherished became weapons that hurt.
But Gayle protected her.
She graduated smoothly and was about to hold a solo art exhibition.
To pave the way for Diana, Gayle finally faced me squarely.
“Diana’s dream is about to come true, don’t disturb her.”
I was already burning with lust.
“How is it disturbing? I’m ready to let everyone who sees the exhibition appreciate your masterpiece.”
A document was slammed in my face.
“If you want to protect your mother’s final resting place, sign the divorce papers and stay away from me and Diana from now on.”
When my mother was buried, I was devastated. Gayle handled all the funeral arrangements, including choosing and purchasing the burial plot.
Now, even this cemetery plot, he could tamper with.
I threw coffee in his face.
That night, I cried myself to sleep on my mother's tombstone.
The next day, I still went to finalize the divorce.
The result was unexpected—Gayle only gave me an old, run-down family apartment.
“You reported me and now most of my assets are frozen. This is all I can give you.”
“If it weren't for Diana pleading for you, you wouldn't have gotten a single penny.”
I had never been able to outmaneuver Gayle, not since childhood.
He was calm and meticulous, never acting impulsively, skillfully using schemes and power to achieve his goals.
While I was the type who always acted without thinking, charging straight ahead, hurting the enemy eight hundred while losing a thousand of my own.
