Chapter 1

My fiancé, a high-ranking Colonel, gave my hard-earned advanced training spot to his divorced childhood sweetheart.

"Valerie, Lana needs this chance more than you. Be bigger than this!" he told me.

To make up for it, he actually filed our marriage registration with his superiors, using it as an excuse to placate me.

This time, I didn't throw a tantrum. I didn't plan on being the Colonel's wife anymore, either.

I turned around and chose a transfer to a place that actually needed me.

"Dean Miller, I want to join the bridge construction project in the Alaskan wilderness."

1

"Valerie, bridge projects take a long time. You won't be back for at least three to five years..."

"The return date for this support mission is uncertain. Have you discussed this with Colonel Sterling?"

In the Architectural Bureau, Dean Silas Miller looked at me with a momentary flash of joy, followed by deep worry.

The terrain in the Alaskan frontier is harsh and building bridges is extremely difficult. They are desperate for talented architects.

But considering that married staff have families to worry about, the Bureau usually chooses single architects for these missions.

Seeing me volunteer for the project, he was naturally surprised.

I gripped the marriage report I had just taken back and looked at him firmly.

"Contributing to the nation's infrastructure is my mission as an architect!"

"As for my marriage application with Alistair Sterling, I intend to withdraw it."

My words shocked Dean Miller. He looked at me with sympathy.

"Did Colonel Sterling go with you for your check-up today? How is your hand recovering?"

I rubbed the hideous scar on my palm, feeling a surge of bitterness in my heart.

In the past, Alistair always used work as an excuse, saying he had no time to accompany me to the hospital.

It wasn't until today, when I ran into him at the hospital accompanying Lana Foster for a simple cough, that I realized he just didn't want to be with me.

"Thank you for your concern, Dean. My hand has recovered well. It won't interfere with my work."

In the end, Dean Miller didn't say anything more. He just gave me some warm instructions.

"Then prepare yourself well. We depart in three days."

The departure for Alaska was the same day Lana was scheduled to leave for her training in D.C.

Carrying my completed application, I walked out of the office with a heavy heart.

Suddenly, it started pouring rain outside.

Just as I was worrying about how to get home, an umbrella appeared over my head.

A steady male voice reached my ears. "Valerie, I've come to pick you up from work."

It was Alistair Sterling, arriving in his military Jeep.

In the five years we've been together, I rode my bike to work every single day. He never picked me up, even in wind or rain.

He always said that a soldier's family shouldn't use public resources for personal gain.

I didn't expect him to change his tune today and actually come for me.

Seeing my lack of movement, Alistair frowned and urged me impatiently.

"What are you standing there for? Get in the car."

Just as I was about to open the door, a young soldier ran over and saluted.

"Colonel Sterling, Ms. Foster is feeling unwell again. Please come quickly."

It was almost a reflex. As soon as Alistair heard this, he turned to follow the soldier.

But after a step, he paused and looked back at me.

"Go home and cook dinner first. Wait for me. I'll be back soon." Then he strode away.

The rain immediately soaked my face, and a chill seeped into the depths of my heart.

A colleague who had seen everything ran over to share her umbrella with me.

She couldn't help but complain. "Ever since Lana was assigned to the Bureau, she's been calling the Colonel every other day. What is even going on there?"

"Valerie, doesn't it make your skin crawl watching the Colonel care for her like that every day?"

I shook my head with a bitter smile, lowering my eyes to hide the flash of sorrow.

Actually, it did bother me.

But in the past, every time I questioned him, Alistair would just scold me for being unreasonable.

Now, I didn't want to care anymore. I was too tired to fight.

The storm came and went quickly. I rode my bike back at a slow pace.

When I got home, I took a hot shower and made myself a bowl of noodles.

I ate while working on the architectural blueprints I hadn't finished yet.

After a while, there was a noise at the door. Alistair returned, supporting Lana.