I was secretly married to Fleet Commander Marcus Thorne for three years. All that time, people kept trying to set him up with socialites and heiresses, but he never once publicly acknowledged me. At the gala dinner after the commendation ceremony, my fellow officers, emboldened by alcohol, dared to tease me. Even he, holding a glass, smiled and said: “Audrey, if any of them catch your eye, why don’t you give them a chance?” In my previous life, I couldn’t hold back. I threw our marriage certificate right in his face. The war reporter he’d saved on the battlefield immediately burst into tears and ran out of the banquet hall. Marcus Thorne didn’t say a word, but after that, he became even colder towards me. It wasn’t until I was captured by enemy forces during a border mission, on the verge of death, that he delayed sending help. Instead, he stood by the war reporter’s side at her press conference. Later, that same reporter falsely accused me of leaking military intelligence. I held a scalpel to her throat, demanding she produce proof before speaking. But Marcus Thorne revoked my medical license, saying, “Handle it according to military regulations.” Only then did I understand. I was nothing more than a burden he could discard at any moment. Given a second chance, I smiled and raised a toast to him: “Already taken. He’s got a six-pack and stamina that could power a city. He keeps me busy all night.”
The room went silent for a beat, then erupted with cheers and jeers. Marcus Thorne’s face instantly darkened, the veins in his hand, clutching his glass, bulging. He shot me an icy glare. Serena, seated beside him, nervously clutched the hem of her dress, biting her lip as she looked at him. “Dr. Audrey, what kind of joke is that? How unbecoming for a female officer to say something like that. You must be drunk.” I’d always been aloof, almost icy, in the military, and suddenly being embroiled in gossip made me the hot topic of conversation. “I can’t believe it, Dr. Audrey keeps her secrets well. Who’s the lucky one that finally stole her heart?” “I thought Dr. Audrey only cared about surgery! Didn’t realize she had someone warming her bed!” I met Marcus Thorne’s gaze calmly: “He understands how to respect me. Naturally, I’m willing to trust him. That’s my bottom line.” In my past life, I thought war reporters like Serena, risking their lives to film, were truly dedicated to journalistic ideals, just wanting to convey the truth to the world. It wasn’t until my license was revoked and she smugly told me she’d been after the Commander’s wife position from day one that I saw her true colors. Serena’s eyes turned slightly red. She looked piteously at Marcus Thorne, seeking help. Lieutenant Commander Dawson, Marcus Thorne’s adjutant, stepped in: “From the sound of it, Dr. Audrey’s guy must be truly exceptional. You should bring him around sometime and let us meet him.” “If he ever dares to let Dr. Audrey down, we’ll show him what military regulations really mean.” I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle: “Oh, he’d be terrified.” The moment the words left my lips, there was a sharp *CRACK*. Marcus Thorne had crushed the wine glass in his hand. Serena frantically grabbed his hand, carefully clearing away the shards while cautiously saying: “It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t suggested we toast Dr. Audrey, she wouldn’t have drunk so much…” “Dr. Audrey spends all her time in the operating room; how would she know anything about men and women? She must just be confused from the alcohol, right?” She looked up, her eyes filled with expectation and pleading as she gazed at Marcus Thorne. My expression hardened, my eyes fixed on Marcus Thorne. Watching him nod after a moment of silence, my heart felt like it was being ripped apart. Serena let out a breath of relief, a flicker of triumph in her eyes. I only felt pathetic. Even after living a second life, I still foolishly hoped to hear a word of honesty from him. Just then, a man in a perfectly tailored suit pushed open the door and entered. He took my wrist, saying softly: “Who says? I, for one, admire a woman like Dr. Audrey.” Everyone’s expressions varied, and even I was stunned. Murmurs spread among my fellow officers: “That’s Dorian Blackwood, The Maritime Baron, who controls the Southeast Asian seas! Even Commander Thorne has to be deferential to him!” “Since when did Dr. Audrey know Dorian Blackwood?”
My wrist burned where he held it. I met his gaze and calmly rose. “As you can see, this wild dog is hard to tame. I’ll be taking my leave.” Dorian Blackwood chuckled softly, naturally putting an arm around my shoulders and leading me out. I knew a burning gaze was fixed on my back, but I didn’t turn around. Just as we reached the door, Dorian Blackwood suddenly leaned in, his lips almost brushing mine. Marcus Thorne spoke, his voice cold: “Audrey.” I pressed my palm against Dorian Blackwood’s chest and turned to face him: “Commander Thorne, do you need something?” He clenched his jaw, his eyes blazing with fury. But before he could speak, Serena grabbed his arm and said timidly: “My birthday is after midnight. Marcus promised to celebrate with me. Dr. Audrey, would you like to stay and join us?” I glanced at Marcus Thorne. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and he remained silent. “No need. I have other plans.” Raising my hand, I gripped Dorian Blackwood’s collar, straightened my back, and left, ignoring Marcus Thorne’s sharp gaze. I sighed with relief as I sat in the passenger seat and looked at the man beside me: “Dorian, what brings you here?” Dorian Blackwood dropped his flirtatious demeanor, returning to his usual laid-back, casual self: “Making Commander Thorne uncomfortable is always a pleasure for me.” I pursed my lips, saying nothing more. He suddenly leaned closer: “How about a little demonstration of my moves? I promise you won’t regret it.” I raised an eyebrow, pushing him back half an arm’s length: “No need. Just take me home.” As we reached my door, Dorian Blackwood called out to me: “Dr. Audrey, remember, you owe me one.” I turned back, meeting his searching gaze. He curved his lips into a smile: “Perhaps someday, I’ll need your help, Dr. Audrey.” I wasn’t in the mood to guess his intentions and simply pushed open the door to my house. This house rarely had visitors. A photo of Marcus and me was still displayed in the living room. Marcus faced immense pressure in the fleet; his only peaceful sleep happened here. He said that I and this home were like his sanctuary, a place where his weary soul could finally find peace. But it had been a long time since he’d been back. The alcohol went to my head, and I drifted into a hazy sleep, only to be woken by a call from my assistant, Harper. “Dr. Audrey, Commander Thorne went public with Serena last night!” “Commander Thorne used celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday as an excuse to send her a ten-tier birthday cake!” My limbs suddenly felt cold, and I involuntarily tightened my grip on my phone. Marcus Thorne and I had known each other for five years and been married for three. I had longed for this public acknowledgment day and night. He had given it so casually to another woman. Harper gritted her teeth in anger on the other end of the line: “It was clearly you, Dr. Audrey, who was always by Commander Thorne’s side. How could he…?” “They’re saying you were obsessed with Commander Thorne, and he had no choice but to announce his relationship with Serena to make you give up!” “Those two shameless dogs!” I thought I could face it calmly after being reborn. But when reality was cruelly laid bare, my tears still betrayed me and fell. After a long silence, I cut her off: “Have you prepared everything I asked for?” Harper paused, then reluctantly asked: “Dr. Audrey, are you really leaving?” I tossed the framed photo on the table into the trash. Ten years ago, I gave up reuniting with my biological parents for Marcus Thorne. Now, I wouldn’t sacrifice my life for anyone again.
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