"I was injured in combat and became sterile. So, whose child is in your belly?" At the military commendation ceremony, my officer husband publicly produced a medical report stamped with a red seal. Every word was an ice pick. The crowd was shocked, then looks of contempt pricked my face like needles. The husband who held my hand last night saying "You've suffered" was now shielding the sister of a fallen hero behind him. I finally understood. He wanted to be the hero of loyalty, marrying his comrade's sister to care for her life. But constrained by his status, he could only make me, his wife, the sinner. "Luke Vance, remember what you said today. This child has nothing to do with you." I tore up the military housing application in front of everyone and left the hall in the snowstorm. Seven years later, a boy with eyes just like his coldly pushed away the military's cooperation invitation. When he demanded a paternity test with a green face, the boy said nonchalantly, freezing him instantly: "Uncle, your sterility report was confirmed by the organization. How could you father a genius like me?" Chapter 1 The conference room was so quiet you could hear the sycamore leaves falling outside. The subordinates who came with Colonel Luke Vance all lowered their heads, pretending to read files. Luke slammed the contract on the table, suddenly reaching out to grab Andy's thin wrist, dragging him out without a word. Just then, a calloused hand firmly gripped Luke's wrist. I used all my strength, nails digging deep into his skin. Luke looked up and met my eyes, cold as frost. The subordinates behind him also looked up. Time seemed to stop. I saw something crack in Luke's eyes, then shock, then an absurd scrutiny. "M... Mary?" People behind him gasped. "Mary? The Colonel's wife who cheated seven years ago?" "Didn't she disappear at the train station? How..." I knew what they were shocked about. Seven years ago, when I left the military compound, I only had a train ticket. Later, news spread that a pregnant young woman disappeared at the station. Everyone thought it was me. Including Luke. "Mary? You're alive? How do you have the face to come back?" I ignored him. Taking advantage of his momentary slack, I pulled Andy back to my side. A red circle already formed on Andy's wrist. I squatted down, gently rubbing the mark. "Does it hurt?" Andy shook his head, eyes fixed on Luke. I straightened up. My tone should be calm, at least I couldn't hear any waves. "Colonel Vance must be mistaken. I am Dr. L.F. Lee, Technical Director of Deep Blue Salvage." "L.F. Lee?" A staff officer behind Luke repeated subconsciously. "Yes." Before the words fell, the door was pushed open again. Scarlett burst in, sweat on her forehead, looking rushed. She glanced at Luke first, then her eyes swept over me, pupils shrinking slightly. "Sister Mary?" She stepped forward, trying to take my hand, but I dodged sideways. Her hand froze in the air, then she smiled again. "It really is you! Where have you been all these years? We were worried to death..." Her eyes turned red as she spoke, acting better than seven years ago. "You left without a word, we thought... thought you did something foolish. Later hearing about the station, Brother Luke couldn't sleep for days. It's good you're back, as long as you're alive..." Clever words. Every word reminding everyone. I was once an "unchaste" woman, a wife who "embarrassed" her husband, a burden who "disappeared." Disgust deepened in Luke's eyes. "Mary, I don't care what you call yourself now. Take that child and leave." I glanced at Luke and Scarlett sticking together, then looked at the secretary standing by the door, afraid to speak. "Joey, notify everyone." My voice wasn't loud, but clear enough for everyone. "Deep Blue is willing to cooperate with the military, but there is a condition. The representative must change. We start talking when the person changes." "Mary!" Luke's face turned iron, stepping forward aggressively, "Do you know where you are? How dare you act wild here?! Take this bastard—" "You are the ones who should leave." I calmly cut off his insult, taking Andy's hand, walking back to the desk step by step. The leather chair was wide and steady. I sat down calmly, looking up at his burning eyes. "Since seeking technical cooperation, the military should at least send—" I tilted my head slightly, mouth curling into a faint, cold arc, "Someone with clear eyes and basic manners. Don't you think, Colonel Vance?" Joey was too scared to breathe, looking at Luke, then me, helpless. "See them out." I said. Chapter 2 Andy stayed in the office waiting for me until I got off work. I led him out of the office. Just reaching the lobby, two figures stepped out from the side shadows. Luke stood there, epaulets removed, jacket on his arm. Scarlett followed him closely. They blocked the way between us and the door. Outside the glass door, the sky darkened, streetlights flickering on. "Mary, two choices. One, let the kid do a blood test with me. Before the result comes out, you go nowhere." "Two, I don't mind making you, your adulterer, and this bastard disappear for real this time." Luke's last sentence scraped the tenderest meat of my heart like ice mixed with gravel. Scarlett stood behind him, fingers twisting the strap of her worn green bag. Her voice was soft and light as a feather, but carried a chill that drilled into bones. "Sister Mary, even if you don't think for yourself, think for the child." She moved half a step forward, looking "pityingly" at Andy behind me. "This place isn't big. For school, work, everything needs a background check. If his file says his mother has issues, bad conduct..." She paused deliberately, observing my face, voice lower but audible to us three, "The child's life is ruined. He won't be able to lift his head anywhere." "Even if..." She lowered her eyes, showing appropriate difficulty and "kindness," "Even if back then, Brother Luke's injury... doctors said there might be a chance, but after so many years, who knows? Sister Mary, I know it's hard raising a child alone, but you can't gamble with his future. For the child's good, just..." Slap—! A crisp, loud slap cut off her "persuasion." I used all my strength, palm numb. Scarlett was knocked to the side, hair messy, sticking to her instantly swollen cheek. She covered her face, staring in disbelief, tears filling her eyes instantly, hanging on lashes, looking pitiful. Next second, a heavier force slapped my face with wind. My vision went black, ears buzzing, metallic taste of blood in my mouth. Face burning, I stumbled back, hitting the cold rough wall to stand steady. Dust fell on my shoulder. Luke blocked Scarlett like a wall. He shook his hand as if touching something unclean, looking at me with undisguised disgust and cold disappointment. "Mary!" His voice low but heavy, "You dare hit people after what you did? What did Scarlett say wrong? She's doing this for who?!" Always like this. No matter when or where, no matter the truth, he always stood by Scarlett without hesitation. Seven years ago at the ceremony, in front of the clinic, and now. Even if Scarlett almost killed me and my unborn child, in his eyes, she was always the weak, innocent "sister of a hero" needing protection, and I was the scheming, unreasonable one. "Mom!" Andy rushed out like an enraged little leopard, small fists flying at Luke, "Bad man! Don't hit Mom!" "Andy! Come back!" Ignoring the pain, I hugged him tight, shielding him with my body. The child trembled in my arms. I felt his rapid breathing and suppressed tears. Can't let him fight. Absolutely not. He's too small to be dragged into adults' dirty wars. I looked up, over Luke's shoulder protecting Scarlett, at his once familiar, now strange face. Dim corridor light cut cold lines on his face. "Colonel Vance." My voice hoarse but clear, every word fished from ice water, "Whether you were injured or how bad, you know better than anyone. Why pretend to be confused and force this dirty water on me and my child?" His eyes flickered violently, jaw tighter, but didn't refute immediately. I straightened up slowly, released Andy, and took his hand. His hand small and cold. I squeezed it, trying to pass some warmth. "Want a blood test?" I met his scrutinizing gaze, tone calm and strange to myself, "Fine. Tomorrow morning at nine, City First Hospital, lab entrance. Be there." Finished, I didn't look at his changing face, picked up Andy, turned, and walked out of this suffocating corridor step by step. Pushing the heavy door, cold winter wind hit my face like a sobering slap, dispersing the burning pain and nausea. I carried Andy to the old green Jeep by the wall. Settled him in the back, covered with a blanket, then sat in the driver's seat. Didn't start the car immediately. From the canvas bag, I took out the bulky satellite phone. "It's me." "If the stuff I wanted is ready, send it to me the fastest way." Chapter 3 Five days later, Norfolk Workers' Cultural Palace Auditorium. Red banner: [Military-Civilian Advanced Technology Exchange Conference]. Packed with representatives from the military, research institutes, and factories. Noisy, smell of tea and smoke. I sat by the aisle, Andy quietly looking at a ship catalog beside me. Just then, Luke sat next to me with Scarlett. He lowered his voice. "Mary, the report is out. If you don't want this report leaked, cooperate with me on the salvage mission." "And apologize to Scarlett. Or, you don't want your child to have a mother with a bad background, right?" I closed the catalog, tone nonchalant. "I will cooperate with the mission, but not with you." "As for apologizing... my way is another slap. Wonder if Miss Scarlett can take it?" Luke looked at me darkly. "Seems you don't care about your son's future?" I blinked, changed tactics. "I can agree to your conditions. Destroy the report after the meeting. My child and I will have nothing to do with you, Luke Vance." Luke sneered mockingly. "Heh, now you know this report can't see the light?" "Do those two things, and I'll destroy it." Meeting halfway, the host announced. "Next, speech by military representative, Colonel Luke Vance!" Amidst applause, Luke walked to the podium steadily. Adjusted the mic, scanned the audience, eyes fixed on me. "Comrades, today is a happy day, but I must speak of something heartbreaking." His voice spread through speakers, silencing the hall. My heart sank. Luke took a yellow envelope from his briefcase, holding it high. "This is the paternity test regarding the child my ex-wife carried seven years ago." "As a soldier, I shouldn't discuss private matters here. But when personal issues affect military image and purity of cooperation, I must clarify!" "Today, I will prove my innocence in front of all comrades!" He moved to open the envelope. Just then, the projector at the back of the hall lit up... A beam cut through the dimness, hitting the screen. The noise stopped instantly. All eyes glued to the image. A familiar face appeared. Dr. Zhang, the military doctor who issued Luke's disability report. Hair white, sitting on a simple bed, nervous, facing someone unseen. "I... I confess." Dr. Zhang's voice trembled through speakers. "Seven years ago, I changed Luke Vance's medical report. His reproductive system wasn't damaged. All indicators were normal. It was... Scarlett and Luke Vance who found me, gave me $5,000, to change it to 'Permanent Reproductive Dysfunction'." This exploded like a bomb in the hall. Chapter 4 Crowd boiled instantly. Whispers rose. Countless eyes turned to Luke and Scarlett. The video continued. "Scarlett said she's a hero's sister, no one to care for her, Colonel Luke is her only reliance." Dr. Zhang buried his head lower, voice full of regret. "She said Luke's wife Mary was too strong, not suitable. As long as Luke thought he was sterile, he would break with Mary. Then she could stay by his side legitimately. I was confused, took the money, did wrong. Harmed Comrade Mary, misled Colonel Luke. My conscience was uneasy all these years, finally I can tell the truth." Video stopped. Beam died. Deathly silence in the hall, only heavy breathing. Just then, Andy stood up. Small figure, under everyone's gaze, walked to the podium, holding a thick envelope. He handed it to the host, loud voice: "Uncle, please project these for everyone." Host stunned, looked at Luke, then me, finally followed Andy's request. First projected were bank transfer records. Clearly showing seven years ago, Scarlett transferred $5,000 to Dr. Zhang in three parts. "This is proof of Auntie Scarlett paying Dr. Zhang." Andy pointed, speaking clearly. Then, several letters appeared. Scarlett wrote to her cousin in the countryside, detailing how she and Luke plotted against me. Every word piercing. Scarlett and Luke lost all color, paralyzed in chairs. Crowd erupted. Luke swayed. Staring at the evidence, fists clenched, nails digging into palms. Huge regret and anger drowned him. He turned to me, eyes full of pain and guilt. "Mary... I..." I didn't look at him, gently pulling Andy back. Seven years of endurance and grievance finally found an exit. But I felt no pleasure, only bone-deep coldness. "Colonel Vance, can you look at the report in your hand now?" My voice calm without waves, like a cold dagger, piercing Luke's last luck. Luke remembered the envelope. Hands shaking, opened it, took out the report. Seeing "DNA comparison confirms Luke Vance and Andy Lee are biological father and son, probability 99.99%", he was struck by lightning, frozen. Report drifted to the floor. Eyes empty, muttering: "Biological son... Andy is my son... I actually..." Just then, accident happened. Back door kicked open. Men in black jackets, fierce faces, rushed in with iron bars and daggers. Leader scanned the hall, fixing on Scarlett, shouting. "Scarlett, took our money and want to run? Not so easy!" Scarlett screamed, hiding behind Luke. "Brother Luke, save me! They are loan sharks! I... I borrowed to clear connections, couldn't pay back..." Thugs rushed up, swinging bars at Scarlett. Luke instinctively shielded her, fighting them. But unarmed against many with weapons, he was losing fast. Arm slashed deep, blood gushed. "Mom, careful!" Andy pulled my hand nervously. I shielded Andy, watching the chaos alertly. Crowd fled in panic. Host tried to call police, kicked down by a thug. In the rush, Andy and I were separated. A thug approached Andy. Closest was Luke protecting Scarlett. "Luke Vance! Save Andy!" Luke wanted to move, but stopped by Scarlett's scream. Subconsciously, he still protected Scarlett. I pushed through the crowd, lunging at Andy, pushing him away. Critical moment, sirens wailed outside. Police rushed in, controlling the scene. Turns out, Andy predicted Scarlett might have backup or trouble. So he contacted police early. Thugs tried to run, subdued. Scarlett was taken away for fraud, bribery, and illegal loans. Crying and struggling, looking at Luke with hate, no longer soft. Luke held his bleeding arm, watching Scarlett taken away, eyes extremely complex. He won the report, but lost everything. Protected Scarlett, exchanged for wounds and endless regret. Police took statements. Medics bandaged Luke. He walked to us, eyes full of guilt and pleading. "Mary, Andy, I know I did many wrongs. I don't ask for forgiveness, but I want to make up. Andy is my son, I want to see him grow up, do a father's duty." I looked at his wound, then Andy, heart unmoved. Silent Andy took out a small recorder, pressed play. Luke and Scarlett's voices. "Vivian (Scarlett), don't worry. As long as the report says the kid isn't mine, I can ruin Mary. She and the bastard will never turn over." "Brother Luke, what if Andy is yours?" "Even if he is, I won't recognize him." Recorded by Andy when following them. Small but remembered my words, keep evidence of harm. Hearing this, Luke turned pale, shaky. Looking at Andy in disbelief: "Andy, you..." "I thought you might have some conscience." Andy's voice disappointed. "Now I know, you don't deserve to be my dad." I looked at Luke's desperate eyes, finally speaking. "Luke Vance, seven years ago, for 'comradeship,' you humiliated me publicly, put me and my unborn child in desperation." "Snowy day, I left with a ticket, hiding in a fishing village, almost died in childbirth. Seven years, carrying cargo by day, studying salvage by night, holding up a home. Andy pointed at as a bastard without a dad. You'll never know how much he suffered." "You say make up. It's not just words. You owe us a lifetime can't repay." My voice rose, "I tell you, I will never forgive you. Andy doesn't need a father like you." Finished, I took Andy's hand to leave. "Mary, wait!" Luke shouted, despairing. "I know I was wrong! Really! I have nothing now, rank gone, reputation ruined, even fertility..." Before finishing, he coughed violently, blood at corner of mouth. Fighting thugs, his abdomen was hit hard, endured till now. Medics rushed to help. Doctor said gravely: "Severe abdominal impact, reproductive organs likely damaged. Needs immediate surgery." Luke lay on the chair, watching us leave, eyes full of infinite regret and despair. Finally understood, his biggest mistake was losing Mary and Andy. All caused by himself.
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