Chapter 5
The next day, just as dawn broke, Jayden and I packed our belongings and were escorted to the military base.
Since Ryker had such demanding work responsibilities, we’d decided to hold a small wedding ceremony in the base chapel.
At the entrance to the base, the young soldiers on duty called me “ma’am” with smiles, complimenting my beauty and Jayden’s cuteness. They joked that their commander had “hit the
jackpot.”
I smiled back, feeling a touch of awkwardness and guilt.
To be honest, during the three years Imourned Knox, I was deeply depressed and had little appetite,
living like a monk on a spiritual asceticism.
Even Jayden, trying to be strong for me, ate the same meager meals I did. He even started to look
underweight.
But looking at the fresh, unfamiliar surroundings, I felt I could finally let go of the past and start
anew.
Glancing down at my son, I saw his little face was filled with excitement about his new father.
As we walked deeper into the base, it became clear that while Ryker had agreed to a simple ceremony, he’d spared no effort in making it special.
The path to the chapel was decorated with balloons and fresh flowers. Soldiers lined both sides holding baskets, tossing white petals into the air as we passed.
Every detail showed how much the bride–to–be was valued.
Meanwhile, back at the Thorne house…
Knox, who had prepared to apologize to us first thing in the morning, waited downstairs, growing increasingly concerned when neither Jayden nor I came down for breakfast.
He looked up toward our rooms, feeling that something was off.
14:27
Three Years a ‘Widow‘… Until I Found His Secret!
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Chapter 5
Then, he went upstairs and knocked, but no one answered.
As the silence stretched on, that small feeling of unease grew until he couldn’t contain his anxiety.
Finally, he broke down the door with brute force, only to find the room completely empty.
In an instant, a wave of nervousness welled up in his heart…
Since faking his death and assuming his brother’s identity, he couldn’t share every moment with me anymore, but living under the same roof, we’d see each other daily.
In the past, I used to spend my days quietly at home, praying for him or grieving, rarely leaving the
house.
Knox couldn’t help but wonder–where could my son and I have gone so early in the morning?
Suddenly remembering the familiar wedding dress, his heart pounded with growing doubt, his earlier confidence evaporating.
As he rushed out, intending to ask my parents if they knew where I’d gone, a fellow soldier
delivering invitations intercepted him and dragged him toward the military district.
“Haven’t you had enough vacation time? Today’s our commander’s big day–as his subordinate, you
have to be there to celebrate!”
“I heard the bride’s previous husband died, leaving her and her son to struggle. It’s a blessing they’ve
found our commander–must be fate bringing them together.”
Knox, still distracted and worried about finding us, barely listened to his comrade’s chatter, responding with distracted nods.
It wasn’t until he entered the base chapel and heard people saying “Congratulations to Commander Ryker and Aria on their wedding” that he froze as if struck by lightning.
Panicked, he grabbed his comrade’s shoulders:
“Aria? Who did you say the bride was?!”
But before his friend could answer, I appeared, wearing my mother’s wedding dress, arm–in–arm with Ryker, walking directly toward his disbelieving gaze.
14:27
