Chapter 1

On our thirtieth wedding anniversary, I was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer.

But my husband, Edward Miller, the commander, handed me a divorce agreement.

"Susan, let's get divorced. I'll walk away with nothing. All our savings will be yours for your treatment," he said.

"Why?" I demanded, my voice hoarse.

Edward replied calmly, "You can't pass away as my wife. Or Lottie will only be the wife of a widower. Lottie is too proud to be made to suffer like this."

I coughed up a mouthful of dark blood and shut my eyes, refusing to accept my fate.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on my wedding night.

Edward, twenty-three years old, looked at me and said, "Susan, I'll marry you, but I won't touch you. I swore to Lottie that I'd keep myself pure for her, always."

I nodded. "Then let's get divorced."

*****

The lively wedding ceremony finally wound down, and the guests dispersed.

Edward settled into a chair, watching me with a serious expression.

"Susan, we need to talk," he said. "You know my family forced Charlotte and me apart. I... I just can't get her out of my mind.

"I can give you the status of my wife, and all my salary will go to you. But I can't give myself to you. I promised Charlotte I'd stay faithful to her until she comes back for me."

Hearing those familiar words, I felt my mind spin. I was completely dazed.

I'd actually traveled back to my wedding night when Edward came clean to me.

In my previous life, I was just a clueless girl, swept up by the messy, heartbreaking romance between him and Charlotte Evans, so I said yes without even thinking.

Edward told me that if he didn't fake a marriage with someone, his family would make Charlotte's life hell.

Charlotte was a rich girl who got exiled due to her family's political stance.

Edward, on the other hand, was the Miller family's only son, whose parents and grandparents were all military, and whom everyone had pinned their hopes on.

For Edward's future, the Miller family would never in a million years let him marry a girl with a controversial background.

To appease Edward, the Miller family agreed he could marry anyone he wanted, anyone but Charlotte, as long as the girl had a clean background.

So, Edward ended up choosing me.

My family had been farmers for three generations, so my background was clean.

Plus, I was just a naive country girl, easy to push around.

But this time, Edward, I was not going to be part of your messy romance anymore.

I lifted my head and met his eyes with a cool, steady look. "Alright then. Tomorrow, come with me to the courthouse so we can file for divorce."

Edward stared at me, stunned. "Why?"

I flashed a smile, revealing my dimples. "Because I didn't have a choice either. I was pushed into this marriage. I've got someone I care about too, just like you and Lottie. But I can't be with him yet, not now."

For a moment, Edward looked like he'd just swallowed a live fly.

I sneered inwardly. So, you could get to have your precious girl, but I couldn't have my own beloved boy?

When I said I had someone in my heart, too, Edward pulled a face, forcing out a smile that looked downright awkward.

"Oh, is that so? Well, whatever," he muttered. "Guess that makes us even. But there's no point in getting divorced. You can't marry him yet, can you?"

I shook my head, resolute. "No. I won't have his pride hurt by people calling him a homewrecker."

Edward's expression soured even more. He looked like he wanted to say something.

But I'd already picked up the quilt and said, "I'm worried he'll get jealous, so let's just sleep in separate rooms tonight."

Seeing Edward's stunned face, I couldn't help but feel a wicked sense of satisfaction.

This time, you got to enjoy a cold, lonely bed and a sleepless night for once.