Perhaps rendered speechless by my directness, Yolanda Evans looked both humiliated and awkward.
She could only hide behind Brett, as if I were the one bullying her.
"Eileen, you know we didn't mean it. What's the point of saying all this now?"
"Didn't mean it? It didn't seem that way when you were holding her, comforting her, talking about your future together."
My words hung in the air like a curse over their heads.
Even without the surveillance clips, I could recite their words by heart.
Because for me, they were etched in memory with such depth, such despair.
To nearly die, only to see my husband comforting his lover in his arms!
"Brett, before this, I never knew my hands, trained to save lives, could also be used to take one!"
I bit my lower lip, trying to control my trembling body.
I had been so terrified back then—fearful of killing, fearful of the risk that everyone might be killed!
I faced a real-life trolley problem. I had to save people, save all the hostages.
But at the same time, I could no longer be a doctor.
Even if the international community expressed understanding and sympathy for such actions, I could never cross that line within myself again.
So I hated it! My heart ached!
Why?
Why did the soldier who swore to uphold world peace, the husband who vowed to honor our marriage, choose betrayal?
"I..." Brett seemed to realize his earlier words might have been too harsh. He'd almost forgotten I was a doctor who saves lives, not trained to kill.
"Eileen, we understand how difficult this is for you. Just forgive us this once, okay? I already made sure Brett gave you the diamond ring."
Yolanda put on an act as if she had misspoken, but a hint of provocation already flickered in the corners of her eyes.
"You can keep that second-hand item for yourself."
By now, I had reined my emotions back in, looking at Brett with disdain. After all, it wasn't just the ring that was second-hand.
Halfway through the party, representatives from the Peacekeeping Corps arrived with the commendation medal.
Reporters swarmed forward, each hoping to capture the perfect shot of Brett the moment the medal was revealed.
Leading the group was Dominic Mills, looking sharp and impressive in his Peacekeeping Corps uniform, with his solid build and long limbs.
His gaze swept the crowd, finally meeting mine. We exchanged a slight smile.
This man had never disappointed her.
"Why isn't the medal being revealed yet?" Yolanda couldn't wait.
Dominic glanced at her, a flicker of coldness in his eyes that vanished quickly.
"Not everyone has arrived."
"Who?"
As the words left her mouth, a commotion erupted outside.
Several middle-aged academicians in white lab coats walked in, followed by a group of younger people also in lab coats.
The moment I saw them, I couldn't hold back the tears.
At least... at least in this world, there were still mentors and peers who cared about me.
"Isn't that the top medical experts in the country?"
"That's Mr. Lincoln, who achieved international recognition in gene editing research, isn't it?"
"And isn't there an academician who's the only one to win the Nopal Prize in Medicine..."
Exclamations rose from the reporters.
Brett's first reaction to such a grand scene was panic.
He had a premonition something bad was about to happen.
But it was too late.
Dominic had already opened the box containing the medal. "This is the peacekeeping forces' medal of honor for my doctor, thanking my doctor for paying a near-life price in this rescue mission!"
Seeing the name on the medal, the room erupted instantly.
"Why Dr. Jenkins? Shouldn't it be Colonel Graham?"
"Yeah, What's going on?"
"The Peacekeeping Corps wouldn't award it to the wrong person, would they?"
Only the medical professionals who had just arrived broke into thunderous applause for me.
"Eileen, I knew you were the best!"
"Hey, you've done us proud! You've worked so hard all these years abroad!"
"Eileen, our research group is throwing you a private celebration tonight. No annoying people allowed!"
Every word from my peers was a source of comfort, a feeling of being understood. Finally getting control of my tears, I stepped forward onto the stage.
