I had been secretly married to my husband, a Major General, for seven years. Women were always trying to climb into his bed, but he never wanted to make our relationship public. At the celebration banquet following the military exercises, his comrades teased me about my relationship status. Even he leaned in with a smile: "Reporter Hayes, you've covered so many war zones, haven't you met anyone who caught your eye? How about I introduce you to someone?" In my past life, I couldn't hold back and pulled out our marriage certificate. His precious junior, the military's sweetheart, instantly teared up and ran out. Arthur Sterling didn't say anything at the time, but he grew increasingly cold toward me afterward. Until I was caught in an armed ambush while reporting near the border, my life hanging by a thread. He completely ignored my situation, instead choosing to teach Lily Summers how to shoot at the firing range. When Lily framed me for leaking classified military intel, I called him, crying. All he said was, "Handle it according to military regulations." That was when I finally understood. To him, I was just a prop to appease his family. Reborn into this life, I smiled: "I'm seeing someone. We're getting our marriage license at the end of the month." ...... The surrounding area instantly fell dead silent. Everyone was stunned. The smile on Arthur's face froze. His grip on his wine glass tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning white. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Lily, sitting right next to him, blinked her innocent eyes and beat him to it: "Reporter Hayes, you hide things so well! If no one asked today, were you planning on keeping it a secret from us forever?" I looked at her, my tone calm: "No matter how well I hide it, I am still the one and only wife." In my past life, I always thought Lily didn't know about my relationship with Arthur. I thought she was an unwitting, innocent party. It wasn't until I was lying in a hospital bed in a war zone, and she came to flaunt Arthur's blatant favoritism for her, that I realized she knew everything all along. Lily's smile faltered for a second. The other officers quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "Reporter Hayes is getting married? No wonder you always turn down our invitations to mixer events after missions! What unit is the lucky guy from?" "To be worthy of our chief reporter who runs through the frontlines, he must be someone special, right?" I looked up and smiled: "If there's a chance in the future, I'll definitely introduce everyone." As soon as the words left my mouth, a teasing voice rang out: "Reporter Hayes isn't just making this up to save face, is she? After all, you're nearing thirty. If you still don't have a boyfriend, people might start gossiping. Major General Sterling, wouldn't you agree?" Lily tilted her head toward Arthur. I gripped my camera tightly, and then I heard Arthur let out a low, affirmative "Mhm." Lily's smile turned provocative. But in my heart, a wave of self-deprecation washed over me. Even after being reborn, what was I still expecting? Right at that moment, a clear, crisp male voice came from the doorway: "Excuse me, is Reporter Stella Hayes here? I'm here to pick her up." Chapter 2 Everyone turned toward the voice. Standing in the doorway was a tall, striking man. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, his gaze was gentle and composed. He was still wearing a white lab coat, clearly having rushed over straight from the research institute. When our eyes met, I was taken aback too. He offered a slight smile: "Stella, let's go home." Whispers immediately broke out across the room. "Isn't that the youngest Chief Engineer at the military research institute?" "So he is Reporter Hayes' fiancé! What a perfect match!" I stood up and nodded politely to the crowd: "Excuse me, I need to take my leave." From the moment I stood up, I could feel a burning gaze fixed on my back, but I didn't turn around. Just as I was about to step out of the banquet hall, Arthur's voice rang out sharply, "Stella!" I paused slightly and turned back to look at him: "Is there something else, Major General Sterling?" His face was dark as a thundercloud, anger churning in his eyes. Lily smiled at me, "My commendation ceremony is coming up. Major General Sterling is going to celebrate with me. Would you like to join us, Reporter Hayes?" I glanced at the silent Arthur and shook my head: "No thanks. Congratulations on the commendation. I have plans." With that, I turned and walked away. The gaze on my back practically scorched me, only disappearing when I slid into the passenger seat of the Jeep. I buckled my seatbelt and thanked the man beside me: "Thank you, Chief Engineer Vance." Liam Vance started the car, keeping his eyes on the road ahead: "Don't mention it. I was just passing by after finishing some research." I smiled and didn't press further. He tactfully didn't say much either, only asking: "Where to? I'll drop you off." I gave him an address. We arrived quickly. Before I got out, Liam suddenly pulled out his phone: "Let's exchange contact info." I hesitated for a second, and he chuckled softly: "Who knows, maybe one day I'll need your help with something." I nodded and scanned his QR code. I turned and walked into the family housing building. This was the apartment Arthur and I requested when we got married. It wasn't big, but it was filled with seven years of my joy and anticipation. In the past, when we didn't have missions, we used to watch the news and discuss current events here. It's just that now, Arthur rarely comes back. As soon as I walked through the door, my phone started buzzing frantically. It was the editor-in-chief of the news department. "Stella! Hurry up and check the military forum!" Chapter 3 I clicked on the link, and the glaring headline instantly pierced my eyes. [Major General Arthur Sterling and the Military's Sweetheart, Junior Lily Summers, Officially Announce Relationship! The Perfect Military Couple is Overflowing with Sweetness!] Below the headline were two photos. One showed Arthur in his uniform, with Lily looking down as she pinned a medal of honor on his chest. The other showed the two of them embracing by the training ground, with fighter jets roaring past in the background. Arthur's caption was brief but agonizing: [Formal introduction: my love, @LilySummers.] Lily's reply was even sweeter: [For the rest of my life, protecting our country alongside you, my Mr. General~] I thought that after being reborn, I could face this calmly. But seeing it with my own eyes, my heart still felt like it was taking bullet after bullet. I waited seven years for a public announcement, and he gave it so easily to someone else. The editor-in-chief was shaking with anger on the phone: "Because of what you said at the celebration banquet, everyone is saying Lily inserted herself into your relationship." "Arthur is doing this to clear Lily's name!" "This is outrageous! You are clearly his legal wife..." "Chief," I interrupted him, my voice so calm it surprised even me, "has my transfer request to the International Military News Department been approved?" The line went silent for a moment: "Are you really going to give up your position domestically and go abroad?" "My mind is made up." I looked out at the neon lights beyond the window. "Seven years ago, I gave up the International Military News Department for Arthur. Now, I don't want to hold myself back for him anymore." Arthur and I grew up together in the military compound. We were childhood sweethearts, from our awkward teenage years to adulthood. After both our sets of parents sacrificed their lives during peacekeeping missions, we became each other's strongest pillars of support. Whenever we went on missions together, he always rushed in front of me, ruining countless bulletproof vests in the process. When he was severely wounded covering for his comrades, I stayed by his bed for three days and three nights without closing my eyes. On my twenty-fifth birthday, I received an invitation from the International Military News Department. It was my dream. That day, Arthur didn't say a word. He just held my hand, his eyes red, and stood there for an entire night. The next day, I declined the invitation, turned around, and applied to become a frontline war correspondent, dodging bullets in the crossfire. The conditions in the war zones were brutal. We were constantly exposed to the threat of bullets, artillery shells, and snipers. A comrade once asked me if it was worth it. Back then, looking at the notes Arthur left me before every mission, I felt it was all worth it. But now... A special notification tone on my phone broke my train of thought. It was Arthur. I hesitated for a moment, then pressed answer. Chapter 4 His voice was laced with anger: "Is it fun for you to put on this act with Liam Vance? Do you think this will provoke me?" "Have you forgotten who saved you when you were taken hostage by terrorists? You can't survive without me." I held the phone, saying nothing. From the other end of the line came Lily's sickly-sweet voice: "Arthur, come cut the cake!" Arthur responded to her, his tone softening: "Lily and I are participating in a joint exercise soon. Once the event is over, I'll clarify the public announcement to everyone. Stop throwing a tantrum." "Be a good girl and wait for me at home tonight. I'll bring you that mango cake you love." My thoughts drifted. Arthur was specially recruited into the military forces by the high command because he accompanied me to a press conference and caught their eye. At the time, I immediately opposed it. Because Arthur's original dream was to become a scientific researcher. If he entered the military forces, he would have nothing to do with scientific research in the future. But I never expected that Arthur would privately go see the military commander. Afterward, he held me, his eyes red: "Stella, I don't want you to live a hard life with me. I want to earn more merits so your life will get better and better." From then on, Arthur gave up his dream for me and threw himself into training. Because of our respective missions, the communication between us grew less and less. The first time rumors spread about him and the military's sweetheart junior, he drove seven hours through the night to reach my war zone. He hugged me, apologized, and said it was a misunderstanding. He promised he would handle it and told me not to overthink it. I suggested making our marriage public. He said he was afraid it would affect his image, afraid he would disappoint his superiors. He said it wasn't the right time. But he promised me that his wife would only ever be me, and the person by his side could only be me. In the end, considering his position, I didn't say anything more. Until later... Lily Summers appeared. While on a mission, she was harassed by someone. While running away, she fell into the water, and Arthur appeared and saved her. She seemed like a pure, innocent little white flower. Soaked to the bone, lying in Arthur's arms. That very night, the two of them sparked intense discussion online. That time, Arthur didn't say a single word. By the time I snapped back to reality, Arthur had already hung up. I didn't dwell on it. I contacted the administration department to inquire about divorce procedures. Before I left the country, I definitely had to resolve everything with Arthur. But what I didn't expect was that when Arthur came back that night, he actually brought Lily with him. Chapter 5 Lily peeked her head out from behind Arthur, a blush on her face. She ran into my room and said cheerfully: "Stella! We brought you mango cake, hurry up and eat it!" Arthur stood there, sounding a bit exasperated: "Slow down, you're drunk, be careful not to fall." He paused, then looked at me: "Lily had a bit too much to drink today. It's not safe for her to go back alone, so she's going to stay here for the night." "Oh right, you make a really good hangover soup, right? Make a bowl for Lily." Arthur cheating was one thing, but now he was bringing the other woman home, right out in the open?! And asking me to make her hangover soup?! I stood there, my entire body turning ice cold. "Is she your only comrade?" How could there only be one person at Lily's commendation ceremony?! Even booking a hotel would have been better than this! Arthur's face darkened: "Stella, since when did you become so unreasonable?" My voice trembled uncontrollably: "This is my house! Get out, both of you!" Seeing the corners of my eyes turning red, Arthur's tone softened: "Alright Stella, I'll contact someone to take her home right now." Arthur pulled out his phone, ready to make a call. But the next second, a piercing scream rang out. With a loud thud, Lily fell from the window sill of my room! Arthur's face went deathly pale. He dropped his phone and sprinted toward Lily! I had never seen such a panicked look in his eyes. "Lily!" Lily lay in Arthur's arms, her eyes tightly shut. Arthur's face was dark, his eyes brewing a violent storm as he glared at me. "If I said it wasn't me, would you believe me?" A vicious slap landed hard on my face. I was hit so hard I crashed into a pillar, and blood immediately seeped from the corner of my mouth. "Stella, if you're going to lie, can't you at least make it somewhat believable?" That slap completely shattered the last shred of fantasy in the depths of my heart. As Arthur gathered Lily in his arms and prepared to rush out, I called out to him. "Wait." I handed him the divorce application: "Sign this, otherwise you're not leaving." Chapter 6 Arthur glared at me furiously. In the past, whenever we fought, I would always pester him to write a guarantee letter and sign it, just to coax myself into forgiving him. Now, he didn't even look at what the document was and simply signed his name. Then, he took large strides, carrying Lily, and ran toward the hospital. At the moment he turned around, I saw Lily resting her head on his shoulder, giving me a victorious smile. The next day, my request to transfer to the International Military News Department was approved. But at the same time, the military forum completely blew up. [BREAKING! Chief Reporter Stella Hayes inserts herself into Arthur Sterling and Lily Summers' relationship, pushes her off a building, causing severe injuries!] Attached to the post were two photos. One was of my back as I returned to the family housing late at night. The other was of Arthur carrying Lily, following closely behind. The comments section exploded. [Is this true? Doesn't Reporter Hayes have a fiancé? Why would she insert herself into someone else's relationship?] [Yeah, Reporter Hayes doesn't seem like the type to do something like that.] Just then, a top comment surged to the number one spot. [Stella Hayes doesn't have a fiancé at all! She made it all up! She's had a crush on Major General Sterling this whole time! When Major General Sterling and Lily went public, Stella got jealous, snuck into his house beforehand, and pushed Lily off the second floor! I have proof. Stella used to be a massive fangirl of the Major General!] When Arthur first entered the military forces, not many people knew him, and I used to go visit him. I kept all of this extremely discreet. No one knew besides me and Arthur. But now, the proof photos posted by this user hit me right in the eye! Trembling, I called Arthur. He only answered on the fifth try. "Arthur, you did this..." Besides Arthur, I couldn't think of anyone else who would post those pictures! The other end of the line went silent. After a long time, I finally heard Arthur speak: "Stella, you're the one who made a mistake first." "What you said at the celebration banquet made our comrades mistakenly think Lily was destroying someone else's family. It damaged her reputation and subjected her to criticism. Going public with her wasn't just because of our joint exercise; it was mostly to salvage her reputation and make up for your mistake. I thought you would realize you were wrong, but instead, you pushed her off a building." Arthur's words made me laugh so hard tears almost fell. "If she isn't destroying someone else's family, then what is she? An innocent, naive little military flower?" "Stella, you are being incredibly immature!" Arthur shouted angrily, cutting me off. "Things have reached this point, and I don't want the conflict between you two to deepen. Apologize to Lily, and I'll have her publicly state that she forgives you. We'll let this matter pass." I lifted my chin, refusing to let the tears fall. "Arthur, we can't move past this. Today, I'm leaving. You and Lily can have each other."
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