When Kreson Airlines flight US1082 successfully made its emergency landing, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. But only Jonna Smith knew that she and Edmund Cane would never be the same. Edmund, who loved her deeply, had pushed her out when the armed kidnappers threatened everyone. He held Katherine Smith tightly in his arms and said firmly, “You’re her sister, Jonna. You have to protect her with your life.” Jonna trembled slightly but said nothing. A few days later, she left Kreson Airlines. As soon as the plane landed, Katherine, hiding in Edmund’s arms, refused to come out. She extended her little finger, which had been scratched, and cried out in pain. Seeing her tears, Edmund felt like his heart was shattering. He turned to Jonna, who was walking toward them, and angrily pointed at her. “Why didn’t you protect your sister? Are you happy now that she’s hurt? “No wonder your parents said you’re an ungrateful brat!” His harsh words and the venom in his tone made it seem as if Jonna were a murderer, not his wife. Jonna followed his gaze and saw Katherine’s little finger bleeding slightly. A wave of absurdity washed over her. He didn’t see the blood soaking her hair and face, nor did he see her blood-stained uniform. All he saw was Katherine. The tenderness and affection in his eyes were so overwhelming that it could make anyone believe in true love. If Edmund weren’t her husband, she would’ve applauded and given them her blessing. At that moment, her adoptive parents’ call came in, as timely as ever. There was no concern or inquiries as the familiar sharpness rang through the phone. “You little brat! If anything happens to Katherine, we won’t let you off. “We’ve raised you for years, and now you actually abandoned her in danger! Do you have no shame?” The woman’s voice, filled with sharpness and coldness, struck Jonna’s ears like invisible needles, causing her to wince. But she had long since grown accustomed to such baseless accusations and reproaches. Her existence had always been in service of Katherine. Katherine was the flower in the greenhouse, and Jonna was the leaf that sheltered it. Whenever Katherine cried, it was Jonna who was punished. She, the adopted daughter of the Smith family, was nothing more than a tool to care for her. Then came Edmund, pulling her out of the family’s mire, offering her warmth and protection. But three years into their marriage, Edmund’s protection had extended to Katherine, leaving no place for her. As she stared at the dark screen, she suppressed the bitter feeling in her chest and let out a sigh. In comparison to all these silent accusations and verbal abuse, she was more grateful that today’s accident hadn’t resulted in any fatalities. Otherwise, two hundred lives would’ve gone up in smoke. Perhaps it was the reminder from nearby colleagues that made Edmund realize his harsh tone. He paused, trying to soften his words. “Jonna, I’m sorry for what I said earlier… Don’t take it seriously. “I was just worried…” “You were worried that I wouldn’t be able to explain to my adoptive parents if Katherine got hurt. I understand.” Jonna’s voice was soft as if she completely understood his concerns. She looked at him and even smiled faintly. But inside, her heart felt like it was being torn, so painful and bitter that even her eyes burned with the sting of it. Edmund was about to say something but faltered. He opened and closed his mouth several times, finally falling silent. He didn’t notice Jonna’s smile which hid nothing but self-mockery and sorrow. As he rushed off, cradling the tearful Katherine in his arms toward the infirmary, he completely ignored the bloodied Jonna standing behind him. Watching him hurry away, Jonna couldn’t tell whether she felt colder or more hurt at that moment.
At some point, Katherine had surpassed her, becoming the one Edmund cared for most. His way of calling her changed from Katherine to Katie, while Jonna was still addressed the same way. Whenever she asked him about it, he would snap back impatiently, and his eyes were full of disapproval. “You’re her sister, and are you worried about how you’re called?” “No wonder Adam and Beth don’t care about you. Now, I finally get it.” He couldn’t see Katherine’s provocation and insults toward Jonna, but somehow, all the blame was placed on Jonna. He had forgotten the five years they had spent together, day in and day out, and how his eyes were always on someone else. Forgot it. Jonna bit her lip, and the sharp pain from the wound on her forehead cleared her mind just a little. She looked around, and the mocking gazes from the people around her hit her all at once. “Poor Jonna. She may be a captain, but what’s the use? She can’t even keep her own man or control her sister.” “She gave up her future for a man, transferring from the control center to civil aviation.” “In the end, her sister swooped in and stole her man. It’s hilarious.” Hearing their words, Jonna tried to smile but failed. The bitterness in her chest spread throughout her entire body. She couldn’t laugh. She had to swallow the pain in her limbs, using all her strength to widen her eyes and keep her tears from falling. She lifted her foot with difficulty and took one step at a time toward the infirmary. To those around her, she seemed even more pitiful than before. As she entered, Katherine’s soft and coquettish voice filled the air. “Edmund, my feet hurt. Can you rub them for me, please…” To Jonna’s shock, Edmund, who was notoriously obsessive about cleanliness, immediately crouched down and began rubbing her feet. He even gently said, “Your feet smell incredible. Does it feel good?” But just a few nights ago, when Jonna had asked him to help her grab her slippers, he had snapped, “Jonna, you’re an adult, and you’re not disabled. Don’t make me touch those filthy things.” The two voices overlapped at that moment, merging into one. Jonna felt an overwhelming bitterness while her eyes filled with tears. She lowered her gaze and bit her lip hard. With Katherine, he could be patient and accommodating, and even the stench of her feet became fragrant. But with Jonna, his habit was to control her and consider her filthy. At that moment, the sight of them exchanging smiles pierced her heart. Jonna’s fingers nearly crushed as she clenched her hands. The veins on her hands stood out as she fought the urge to escape. But in her haste, she accidentally pushed open the door to the infirmary. “Jonna, you’re here. Edmund’s massaging my feet. “You must be able to enjoy this kind of service at home too, right?” Katherine’s smile was sweet and innocent, but the smugness in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. Edmund, seeing Jonna, immediately panicked. He rushed over to help her to the bed. But as soon as he got closer, Jonna instinctively took several steps back. The thought of him using the same hands that had just touched Katherine’s feet to touch her made her feel as if she had swallowed hundreds of flies. It was utterly repulsed. She quickly turned to Dr. Rogers. “My forehead is hurting, and I’m feeling dizzy and nauseous. Could you take a look?” Edmund’s hand froze for a moment before he slowly withdrew it. He looked at her forehead as if he had just noticed her injury. “Why are you so careless? You didn’t even take care of yourself on the plane. You know you’re hurt. I would’ve been heartbroken if I had known.” As he spoke, his eyes softened with a tenderness that seemed to say he cared for her deeply. Jonna almost laughed in anger, and her nails dug into her flesh without her noticing. The wound, bleeding profusely, was visible to everyone else, but he couldn’t even see it. Just moments ago, he had scolded her for not protecting Katherine on the plane, and now he was blaming her for not taking care of herself. The same man wore two completely different faces. But no matter what he said now, Jonna wasn’t listening anymore. It all went in one ear and out the other. She no longer wanted to take it seriously. “I hit my head when protecting Katherine. So, should I just stop looking out for her from now on?”
“No way!” Edmund instinctively rejected her, but when he met Jonna’s almost amused look, he realized his reaction was too sharp and awkwardly forced a laugh. Katherine couldn’t stand being ignored and chimed in, “Jonna wouldn’t dare neglect me. Don’t worry, Edmund.” Her certainty, contrasted with Edmund’s unease, was evident to Jonna. But this time, deep inside, she quietly said, “No.” Dr. Rogers finished treating Jonna’s wound, set up an IV, and advised her to rest. Then she started complaining to her assistant, “I don’t know what Mr. Cane is thinking. His wife is hurt, and yet he’s fussing over his wife’s sister…” “Yeah, when I was giving Jonna her IV, I even heard her stomach growling…” Their entire conversation reached Jonna’s ears. She didn’t react. What could she say? Edmund was busy bringing Katherine delicious food and even gum to pass the time. And when he saw Jonna, he sheepishly apologized. “Jonna, sorry, I rushed off earlier and forgot your food…” The guilt in his eyes was real, but Jonna understood one thing. Edmund’s heart was no longer with her. It was completely occupied by Katherine. “Jonna, don’t worry. I’ll go get you something else…” Edmund hurriedly turned to leave but was stopped by Katherine. “Edmund, I haven’t had the soup you bought yet. Leave it for Jonna. “She has hurt her head, so she should eat something light. This soup is perfect for her.” Edmund shot her a disapproving glance, and his tone dripped with affection. “That’s nonsense. I bought this soup for you. I can’t just give it to someone else.” Even though Jonna had already grown numb to it all, hearing those words still made her heart lurch painfully. Someone else? So, she had always been “someone else.” They were the family. With those words, Edmund turned to leave, even shutting the door behind him because Katherine said she was afraid of coldness. At home, Edmund never closed doors. Whenever Jonna politely asked him to do so, she was met with sarcastic comments. “We’re at home. What’s with all the fuss… “At work, you’re the captain. But here, I’m your husband. Don’t even think about bossing me around.” Jonna’s stomach growled again, and Katherine glanced at her with mockery in her eyes. “Jonna, stop being so stubborn.” “Just have the soup. You’ve eaten my leftovers more than once, anyway.” Katherine’s beautiful face twisted with malice. She looked at Jonna as if she were a beggar with nowhere to go. Jonna shook her head, speaking in a tone so calm it was almost indifferent, “You can keep the soup. Edmund will bring me food later.” Katherine scoffed as if she had just heard a joke. Then, she sneered, “Believe it or not, if I call Edmund, you won’t get a single bite of anything.” With that, she pulled out her phone and dialed Edmund’s number. Jonna sharply caught a glimpse of the contact’s name. Instead of “Edmund,” it was actually “Honey.” Just as Jonna was staring at the screen, Edmund’s voice came through. “Katie, what’s wrong?” “Edmund, I finished my soup. Can you take me home? The infirmary smells terrible…” Even through the speaker, Jonna could hear the amusement in Edmund’s tone. “Sure, wait by the north gate of the airport, I’ll come pick you up right away.” Katherine, with a smile in the corner of her eye, deliberately asked, “What about Jonna? She hasn’t eaten yet.” Edmund paused for a moment, then replied, and his tone was irritated, “Don’t worry. She’s a grown woman. If she’s really hungry, she’ll order takeout.” The two of them continued to have a sticky-sweet conversation for a few more minutes before hanging up. At that moment, Edmund seemed to forget that the woman in the infirmary, covered in blood and receiving an IV, was his wife. The last shred of hope in Jonna’s heart shattered, and a chill ran through her body. “See that?” Katherine asked proudly, like a little girl who had just snatched a toy, and her eyes were full of arrogance. Jonna didn’t say anything. She silently turned away, avoiding Katherine’s gaze. Soon, tears soaked her pillow. Shivering, she pulled out her phone and typed a message to her former superior, Enric Swain: [Captain Swain, I’d like to return to the base. Is that possible?] Enric immediately called her back, and his voice was so loud. In the background, she could hear the sound of a plane propeller. He sounded surprised. “Sure! Of course, I’d love that!” But then his voice faltered with a hint of confusion. “Wasn’t I hearing that you were going to be promoted to flight instructor? What happened…” Enric seemed to sense her sadness through the phone and didn’t press further. Instead, he added, “If you want to join me, you should talk to your husband. After all, it’s not easy to build a family.” “Okay,” Jonna replied, knowing that Enric was acting out of kindness. The two exchanged a few more words before hanging up. She stared blankly at the cold white ceiling, and her mind raced. She had already turned down the flight instructor promotion Enric mentioned. Since last year, Jonna had been promoted to captain, and she had received a lot of disdain from her fellow pilots. Even Edmund’s gaze towards her had grown colder. Many of her colleagues said that if it weren’t for her, that promotion should have belonged to Edmund. Guilt filled her heart. Jonna tried to overlook Edmund’s indifference, thinking it was just a phase. She thought once he cooled down, he would come back to her. Until now, when she finally saw the truth. It seemed that drunken night the things he had said were all true. “Why do you need to show off so much? “You were the best during training. At work, you still have to compete with me for the top spot… “Can you just get lost? Get far away and never show up in front of me again!” Jonna squeezed her phone tightly, and her knuckles turned white. Her other hand pressed hard against her eyes as she sobbed softly. Tears slid slowly through her fingers, spreading across the white sheets, as muffled sobs echoed through the silent infirmary. At this moment, Jonna sounded like a small animal licking its wounds. She remembered how Edmund used to look at her with such intense affection. What had changed? Wasn’t it he who once rushed into the school infirmary, carrying her after she had been injured on the field, staying by her side all night and refusing to leave? Wasn’t it he who clumsily learned how to cook, burning a pot, but still proudly serving her two dishes? In every previous training exercise, she was the one Edmund protected, the one he loved. Why had everything changed? He had vowed to love her forever, but in just three years, all of his love had been given to someone else. Huh! Edmund’s “forever” was so short. That night, after finishing her IV, Jonna returned home and saw a message from Enric: [I’ve already talked to your boss. In three days, I’ll send someone to pick you up.] [Okay.] [Your husband… What about him? You’re leaving for at least three years. You two should really talk before you go.] Enric was genuinely concerned about her family. He didn’t want her to end up with any unnecessary tension because of work. Jonna instinctively thought of telling him that she and Edmund were getting a divorce, but the words caught in her throat. Enric, too, had gone through a divorce, and that made her hesitate. She swallowed the words down and simply replied: [Okay.] By the time she closed her phone, it was already at nine in the evening, but Edmund still hadn’t come home. She sent him a message, and an hour later, she received a cold reply: [I’m at Adam and Beth’s home. Do you want to come over?] Before she could respond, another message came in, as usual, vague and indirect: [Never mind. Don’t bother coming. If you do, no one can enjoy this meal.” Jonna froze, and her fingers hovered over the keyboard. After a long pause, she smiled bitterly. He wasn’t wrong. She was just a foster daughter of the Smith family, and her presence hardly meant anything. They only considered Edmund and Katherine their real family. After washing up, she turned off the lights and curled up in bed, motionless. The shock on the plane and the blood loss had left her utterly exhausted. Perhaps it was the decision she had made earlier that had lifted the heavy weight off her chest, allowing her to sleep soundly. The next morning, she was surprisingly refreshed. At the office, she saw Katherine handing out bags of apple chips while chatting away. “That robber was so terrifying! Thank goodness, the special forces rescued us. My heart is still racing! Here, have some snacks to calm your nerves.” The company had always been mostly female, and Katherine had mastered the art of using little tactics to win people over. Though the snacks weren’t worth much, they were effective. There were always people eager to back her up every time she stirred up trouble. When she turned and saw Jonna, Katherine’s eyes narrowed with a knowing smile. “Especially Jonna,” she said slowly, “She was so brave yesterday, playing the hostage for me. I’m really grateful, so all these snacks are for you. Consider them a little token of thanks.” Jonna’s gaze swept over the apple chips, but she didn’t react. Her expression was cold and unreadable. Katherine immediately pouted, and her eyes reddened, as she plaintively asked, “Are you still mad at me for yesterday? Don’t be angry, okay? “It wasn’t what I wanted. Edmund said you knew self-defense… Please don’t be upset with me.” The colleagues glanced at each other, exchanging knowing looks, before chiming in with supportive remarks, “Jonna is way too petty, still holding a grudge after all this time.” “Exactly. If it wasn’t for the Smith family, she wouldn’t even have a place to stay.” Jonna kept her lips pressed tight, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over her. The wound on her forehead throbbed with dull pain again. She had always been the one to make compromises for Katherine, but it was never enough. No matter how much she gave, Katherine, like a bottomless pit, was never satisfied. In the past, Edmund would have stepped in to defend her, but now… As Jonna thought of him, he walked into the room, still dressed in the same outfit from yesterday. She immediately pressed her lips together, and a moment later, a bitter thought crossed her mind. It didn’t matter anymore. Who he was with or where he went didn’t concern her. “What’s going on? So lively in here?” Edmund asked as he walked over. When Katherine saw him, her eyes lit up, and she quickly launched into her story. “Jonna refuses my apology, and now she’s turning down my snacks, too.” Edmund glanced at the apple chips and paused for a moment, and his gaze shifted slightly. Jonna’s heart skipped a beat. No one knew she was allergic to apples, but Edmund knew it all too well. Just as she expected him to call out her allergy, Edmund glanced at her coldly with a subtle disapproval in his expression. “You’re her sister,” he said with a hint of reprimand, “Family should stick together. Don’t make things difficult for her. Just eat the snacks.” As soon as Edmund finished speaking, he even carefully tore open the package and held the apple chips up to her mouth. Jonna stared at the apples right in front of her, and something inside her heart collapsed completely. Her nose burned, and she could feel the tears rising in her eyes. Three years ago, during training at the base, she had accidentally drunk a glass of apple juice. The pain was so intense that she collapsed to the ground, and her skin was covered in painful welts. Edmund had held her in his arms, and his eyes were red with panic, shouting hoarsely, “Doctor, help!” But now, Edmund was the one offering her the apple chips, telling her to eat them. She closed her eyes, swallowing the sharp pain that sliced through her heart. Steadying herself, she looked at him, and her voice was barely audible. “Are you sure you want me to eat this?” Edmund said nothing, but his cold eyes locked onto hers. Though he hadn’t said a word, it felt as though he had said everything. Jonna forced herself to hold back the shivers crawling up her spine. The fear began to seep through her veins, crawling like insects. She took a deep breath, and her fingers trembled as she reached out to take the chip and bite into it. Edmund muttered as if trying to justify his actions, “You’re an adult now, and your immunity is stronger. One apple slice won’t hurt.” His voice wasn’t loud, but to Jonna’s ears, it was the most biting sarcasm. When he loved her, she was precious. Now, when he no longer cared, she was just a pile of trash. At that moment, a knock echoed from the door. “Jonna, I need you to sign this.” Jonna forced herself to ignore the growing itch and picked up the pen, signing her name decisively. Edmund glanced at her from the side, asking, “What are you signing?” Jonna turned around, and her eyes locking onto Edmund’s, and replied softly, “The police report from yesterday.” At the mention of yesterday, Edmund’s face briefly flashed with guilt. He averted his gaze before turning and walking away. Katherine, seeing that her intended drama had achieved its purpose, followed him out. Jonna didn’t want her allergic reaction to be witnessed by her harsh colleagues, so she slowly made her way out. But by this point, her face had turned ghostly pale. Her pale lips had already been bitten, and blood trickled from the small wound, mingling with the sharp, metallic taste in her mouth. Yet she was oblivious to the pain as she clenched her jaw, her hands trembling, as though they might shatter into pieces. The pain mixed with an insidious itch spreading across her body. She gasped for breath, feeling as though her lungs were about to collapse. Just as she was about to take another step, her legs gave way, and she tumbled down the stairs, unable to rise again. She curled into herself, holding onto the last thread of hope, and dialed Edmund’s number. When the call connected, however, what came through was the sound of heavy, labored breathing, laced with intimacy. She shuddered violently, trying to scream for help, but it felt as though her chest had been blocked with stones. No words could escape. “Edmund… help me…” But the response wasn’t what she hoped for. Instead, it was Katherine’s breathy urging. “Honey… harder…” The muffled groan of a man followed, and each sound crashed through Jonna’s ears like thunder. The world around her seemed to shatter. She swallowed the metallic taste in her throat and ended the call. The next second, the phone slipped from her hand and Jonna lost consciousness. When she woke up again, she found herself lying in the infirmary. Dr. Rogers sighed helplessly when she saw her consciousness returning, “Captain Smith, the wound on your head hasn’t healed yet, and now you’ve had a severe allergic reaction. Even the toughest person can’t handle that. “You might as well stay here… Seeing you like this, I felt sad for you.” Jonna’s pale lips moved slightly, but she didn’t say a word, looking like a lifeless doll. The sounds of the man and woman’s breathy exchanges echoed in her mind over and over again. She shut her eyes tightly as if trying to block out the noise. Dr. Rogers, sensing her discomfort, wisely chose not to speak further. She hooked her up to an IV drip and handed her several packets of medicine. The cold wind was biting as nightfall approached. Jonna dragged herself home, stumbling with every step. As soon as she entered the door, Edmund was standing in the living room, his face as cold as ice. He immediately started scolding her, “Don’t call me whenever you want. It’s bad to take personal calls during work hours. “I’m the captain, so I should set an example. If there’s anything, we can discuss it at home.” His brows furrowed, and his tone was self-righteous, and Jonna nearly gagged from the hypocrisy. He couldn’t take personal calls at work, but he had no problem engaging in intimate moments with someone else. She really wanted to ask him. What example did he want to set? Was it the example of messy relationships or crossing boundaries with his wife’s sister? But Jonna was beyond exhausted, physically and mentally. She didn’t want to waste any more breath on him. At that moment, Edmund’s phone rang, and he answered in a flash, “Katie, what’s up? I’m listening.” In the blink of an eye, his cold demeanor had vanished, replaced with a voice dripping with indulgence. It was too easy to tell who the woman he actually loved was. Jonna stood there dazed for a moment, shaking her head as though she could shake off the bitterness that had built up inside her. After Edmund hung up, he casually mentioned, “The colleagues on the flight crew want us to join them for a camping trip and fireworks show. I’ve already agreed for both of us.” Jonna opened her mouth, ready to refuse, but he added another sentence, “Don’t think just because you’re the captain you can ignore everyone else. You still have to consider your colleagues.” Her quiet “I’m not feeling well” got stuck in her throat. She rubbed her temple and slowly nodded. It was fine. She was leaving anyway. She might as well treat it like a dinner gathering. By the time they arrived at the destination, a group of flight attendants and Dr. Rogers from the infirmary were already there. Some were setting off fireworks, while others sat around a bonfire, drinking. Katherine, as usual, was in full motion. When she saw Edmund, her eyes lit up, and she coquettishly tugged at his sleeve, urging him to go set off fireworks with her. A colleague nearby teased, “I think Captain Cane and Katherine make a perfect pair. He’s handsome, and she’s pretty. It’s definitely better than pairing up with a poker face.” When those words left their mouth, a few stifled chuckles could be heard. Katherine, clearly overjoyed, tried to act coy. “Don’t be ridiculous. Captain Cane is Jonna’s husband… How could we be a match?” “You two look great together. Anyway, you’re his wife’s sister. It’s better to keep it within the family, right?” The group chattered on, and just as they turned around, they spotted Jonna. The lively scene immediately fell silent. Jonna stood there as if she hadn’t heard anything. It didn’t matter to her at all. The “poker face” label had stopped hurting her a long time ago. Katherine, however, couldn’t stand Jonna’s aloof indifference. She stepped forward and grabbed her arm. “Come on, Jonna. Let’s go to set off fireworks together.” “You guys go ahead. I just want to sit for a bit.” Katherine’s face visibly darkened, and her eyes reddened as she looked down. Her voice carried a touch of vulnerability. “Jonna, why do you always reject me? You won’t eat the snacks I give you, and you won’t set off fireworks with me… “Is it because I took away Mom and Dad’s love? I can apologize if you want… Just don’t ignore me.” The colleagues around them eagerly fanned the flames. “Captain Smith just loves to throw tantrums. It’s one thing to act cold toward us, but now she’s putting on airs in front of Katherine.” Edmund, who had been listening nearby, frowned in displeasure. The next moment, Dr. Rogers scoffed and said loudly, “She’s still recovering from the wound on her forehead and is in the middle of a severe allergic reaction. “She’s supposed to be resting at home. But not only are you guys not letting her rest, you won’t even let her sit down to catch her breath.” With that, Dr. Rogers draped her shawl over Jonna’s shoulders as if to shield her from the chill in the air. The crowd exchanged glances, unsure how to react. Edmund cleared his throat, and his expression softened just a little. But a hint of irritation still lingered in his voice. “You should’ve told me you were feeling unwell back at home… You’re just too proud for your own good.” Jonna didn’t want to listen to his meaningless words. She silently shifted her gaze away. Even outsiders could see her pain and helplessness. But her husband? He could only find fault and place blame. Edmund didn’t push the issue further, settling down beside her. Katherine, still clearly unsatisfied, shot Jonna a resentful glare. “Edmund, I’m afraid of fire…” She pouted, making her meaning clear. But Edmund hesitated, and his gaze darted toward her briefly. In the end, Jonna gave in. “Go ahead. Your Katie is still waiting for you.” Edmund choked on his words, and a forced smile was on his face. “I’ll be right back. Wait for me.” His rushed departure and the urgency in his steps made it clear that Jonna’s pain and hurt were nothing compared to Katherine’s little pout. And Jonna? She would never wait for him again. Dr. Rogers seemed to sense her down mood. He gently comforted her while trying to engage her in conversation. “I heard from the higher-ups that the company is going to reward you for this incident,” she said. “They’re even preparing a media report. You’re about to be famous. “Impressive. You’re the only female captain in the country with this kind of honor. Edmund will surely be smiling from ear to ear.” Dr. Rogers smiled warmly, and her face lighted up. But when Jonna heard this, she only gave a faint smile, and her eyes betrayed no emotion. She had joined the airline for Edmund to stay by his side, never considering anything else. But life didn’t always go according to plan. She could never have what she wanted. Looking up at the dazzling stars in the sky, she couldn’t help but smile faintly, as though something had been released within her. Maybe as some sort of compensation, after the fireworks display, Edmund handed her his jacket. “It’s cold. Be careful not to catch a cold.” But Jonna didn’t move. She clearly remembered that the jacket had been draped over Katherine’s shoulders earlier. It was just like Edmund’s heart, broken in two. It had been tainted, and she no longer wanted it. She didn’t take the jacket, nor did she speak. Instead, she turned around and went home. The next day, as soon as Jonna returned to the office at the terminal, a message came through in the group chat: [Everyone, come to the conference hall.] She hurriedly tidied herself up and rushed to the meeting room, where Mr. Taylor, the head of the flight operations, greeted her with a smile. Turning around, he announced loudly, “As of today, Kreson Airlines has received 100 passengers’ thank-you letters. Jonna’s actions during the last incident greatly boosted the company’s reputation, and she is hereby named the Outstanding Captain of Kreson Airlines.” The next moment, applause broke out across the room. But Edmund, seated in the front row, raised his hand and shouted, “I object!” His objection echoed loudly in the otherwise silent conference room, and Mr. Taylor shot him a cold glance, remaining silent. Edmund hesitated for a moment and then met Katherine’s gaze. After a long pause, as if gaining the courage to speak, he declared with firm conviction, “Katherine was also held hostage by the criminals that day. Why doesn’t she deserve the honor?” The room went quiet. And then, hushed whispers began to ripple through the crowd. “The honor went to his wife. Why is he objecting…” Mr. Taylor overheard the comment and repeated it aloud. He walked over slowly and confronted Edmund directly. “You pushed Jonna out as a hostage before the kidnapper could even reach Katherine. “How dare she object? Even if she dares, do you have to play the hero?” “Edmund.” Mr. Taylor’s voice grew louder. “Don’t forget. The one who gets rewarded is your wife.” Each word was sharp, and Edmund grew pale as Mr. Taylor spoke. Jonna noticed his clenched fists. The veins on his hands were bulged. Normally, when he was being reprimanded, she’d rush to defend him. But this time, she stayed quiet. She just watched with her arms crossed. “Edmund.” Mr. Taylor pressed. “Don’t forget why Jonna came to Kreson Airlines.” That last sentence seemed to hit Edmund hard. His face turned red, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. Katherine tried to speak up, but Mr. Taylor snapped, “Enough! I don’t want to hear another word. This meeting is over!” The room emptied quickly, the tension lingering in the air. Edmund stood in front of Jonna, looking like he was about to crumble. “Why didn’t you help me out? You left me hanging like that…” Jonna gave him a small and ironic smile. She met his gaze. “Didn’t you tell me before not to interrupt when you’re talking to the higher-ups?” Edmund froze for a moment, then his face tensed with frustration. “I don’t know, Jonna. You’ve been acting weird lately… What’s going on?” Jonna couldn’t even maintain her polite smile. “You’ve been acting weird, too. You’re way more enthusiastic with Katherine than you ever are with me.” Edmund paused, struggling to come up with an excuse. “It’s not me, all right? It’s Adam and Beth. They asked me to help smooth things over…” But he couldn’t bring himself to say anything else when he met Jonna’s piercing gaze. “Edmund,” Jonna asked, and her voice was suddenly sharp, “What were you thinking when you pushed me out there? “Did you ever think I might die?” The words hit him hard. He froze, trying to find something to say, but Jonna cut him off. She handed him a document and flipped it to the last page. “Sign here,” she said flatly. “What’s this?” Edmund asked, and his voice was hesitant. “The commendation form. You wanted to get credit for Katherine’s actions, right? I’ve already signed mine. Now, it’s your turn.” As soon as he heard Katherine’s name, he didn’t hesitate. He signed his name without even looking at the form. Jonna watched him do it, and the dull ache in her chest grew. When it came to Katherine, it was like nothing else mattered to him. Jonna had already decided to let go, but the pain still lingered, quietly eating away at her. She shut her eyes for a moment, then spoke, and her voice was steady but final. “Edmund, let’s get a divorce.”
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