Blurb：
Jessica made a promise to her dying brother—marry Commander Samson Gardner, bound by his family’s no-divorce rule. But when Samson’s childhood sweetheart Celia Smith destroys her brother’s last gift, Jessica realizes love can’t be forced. As Samson sides with Celia repeatedly, Jessica contacts her mentor overseas to become a foreign correspondent, giving herself ten days to vanish from Samson’s life forever. With themes of betrayal, military romance, and strong female leads, this emotional story explores whether Samson can win back the woman he took for granted. Discover Jessica’s journey from invisible fiancée to international correspondent in this gripping tale of love, loss, and second chances.
Content：
Commander Samson Gardner was my fiance. In his family was an iron-clad ruleno divorces.
Before my brother died, his last wish was for Samson to marry me.
So, even after falling in love with his childhood sweetheart, Samson still decided to marry me as promised.
However, everything changed the day said childhood sweetheart destroyed the only watch my brother left me.
When Samson sided with her again, I didn’t argue. I simply reached out to my mentor overseas and started preparing to become a foreign correspondent.
Before leaving, I gave myself ten days to put things in order.
On the first day, I quietly hid the marriage application I was supposed to submit. On the third day, I turned in my resignation to the military.
The day I was to leave, Samson finally remembered the watch and promised to take me to buy a new one on his next day off.
Right after that, he ordered me, “Celia is inviting friends over for dinner tonight. Make sure the food is ready before you go.”
I agreed with a smileand then never showed up in his world again.
Afterward, Samson would stare blankly at the marriage application inside his drawer every time he saw my name in the news.
There, within his drawer, were the memories of an autumn not yet fully arrived, the lover he could never win back, and the watch he could never give…
Chapter 1
Day three of my silent standoff with Samson Gardner.
I finally managed to reach my mentor overseas and told him I wanted to join him.
There was a long pause at the other end before he finally spoke, though with great hesitation.
“Jess, you’re the only one left in your family now. You’re at the age when you should think about getting married. If you come here, how are you going to handle your personal life? Besides, things are changing fast on the international stage. The world isn’t nearly as stable or safe as it is back home. And you’re a young woman…”
I had already decided, but my chest still tightened with pain. If things had gone according to plan, I would’ve been marrying my childhood fianc next month.
But the relationship I thought was built on love turned out to be a crowded mess, where I was always the one giving in.
So, I chose to walk away and do something that actually mattered.
“Sir, my father and brother never backed down when things got hard. I won’t either,” I said.
He let out a long sigh. “I’ll have the office back home to get in touch with you as soon as possible. How much time do you need to get ready?”
“Ten days,” I answered.
After the call, I went back to the communication room. I had barely sat down when Samson showed up. With a stony expression on his face, he handed me the marriage application.
“Check your personal details again. We’ll need to turn this in soon.”
At that time, military personnel were required to submit a marriage application to their superior officers ahead.
After my father and brother died, we had been living together, so he could take care of me. Back then, no matter how late, he would always pick me up himself as he was afraid something might happen to me.
Ever since Celia Smith came back, however, everything changed. I became invisible in my very own home.
This time, Celia took my favorite watch. I tried to get it back, but Samson berated me. After that, he hadn’t been home for three days. Even now, he didn’t ask how I was doing after seeing me.
You couldn’t fake love. He was already over me. It was my fault for being too slow to realize it.
I hesitated, not wanting to make things worse, so I took the form from him. But all I could think about was how to make sure that the application never got submitted.
Maybe he thought I was making things difficult on purpose. He looked even more annoyed.
“It’s just a watch. If Celia likes it, why not just give it to her? Who are you trying to impress with this attitude?”
Then he added, “Jessica, when did you turn into someone so petty and unreasonable?”
I looked at him and felt the warmth drain right out of me.
Just a watch?
Of course.
That was always how he was.
From a pen and a notebook to my job and my room… If Celia wanted it, I was supposed to just hand it over. If I didn’t, then I would be the selfish one. If I tried to argue, he would simply yell at me and say I was worthless.
In just three months, I lost count of how many times this had happened.
Chapter 2
I could put up with everything else, but that watch was different.
It was a birthday gift from my late older brother, Norman, who had spent almost six months saving up for it.
Two years ago, he was killed during an undercover mission. They never even found his remains.
That watch was all I had left to remember him by.
Samson was already so unfair. Meanwhile, I was exhausted, and I didn’t even want to fight about this anymore. When I thought about my decision to leave soon, I felt strangely at peace.
I looked down at the application in my hands. “Let her have it.”
Samson paused. “You’re not just saying that because you’re upset?”
I didn’t even look up. “Yeah.”
There was no point in arguing anymore. What really mattered now was the marriage application in my hands.
To avoid complications, I couldn’t tell him yet that I was leaving.
Samson seemed satisfied, even letting his voice soften a little. “I’m off tomorrow. I’ll go with you to buy a new watch.”
Before I could refuse, I heard crying at the door.
Two female operators were helping Celia inside. Celia was limping, her face streaked with tears. When she got to me, she started crying even harder.
“Jess, it’s all my fault! Please don’t be mad at Sam anymore. I’ll give the watch back right now.”
Her hands shook as she pulled out the watch. But before I could react, it slipped from her grasp and hit the floor.
There was a sharp crack, and the face of the watch was shattered.
Before I could say a word, Celia started bawling. “I’m sorry, Jess, I didn’t mean to, I”
I picked up the watch, running my fingers over the broken face. My chest hurt so much it was hard to breathe, and my eyes stung. I just couldn’t hold it in anymore and asked quietly, “What’s the point of being sorry now?”
Celia immediately looked even more pitiful and threw herself into Samson’s arms.
“Sam, I really didn’t mean for this to happen! I just didn’t want Jess to blame you, so I hurried to bring it back. I”
She seemed too flustered to go on, so the other operators jumped in to help her.
“It’s just a watch. Celia just borrowed it, and it’s not like she was keeping it. Why are you making such a big deal?”
“She even hurt her knee and elbow rushing to return it!”
“We’re all on the same team. Isn’t helping each other what we’re supposed to do? Jessica, you are one of our best broadcasters! No need to be so petty!”
With everyone taking her side, Celia started sobbing even harder. Her whole body was shaking like she was completely devastated.
Samson gently patted her back, then shot me a hard look. “Are you happy now?”
Then he picked her up like a princess and murmured, “Don’t cry, I’ll take you to the hospital.”
Celia buried her face in his shoulder, and from an angle that no one else could see, she shot me a smug little smile.
I held onto the watch, ignoring her.
At the door, Samson suddenly stopped and looked back at me. “You. Don’t you have anything to say?”
I shot back, “Say what?”
Should I start crying and admit I was wrong? Or beg to tag along to the hospital? I wasn’t about to stoop that low.
Samson stared at me for a moment, then snapped, “Turn in the application yourself.”
I watched him hurry out with her in his arms, practically stumbling as he rushed.
I let out a bitter laugh. It was all so familiar. Back when I twisted my ankle, he would carry me to the clinic just like that. The only difference was, now he had someone else in his arms.
Of course, I was just a shadow in his life, someone to keep him company when he was lonely. Celia was the one he truly cared about.
One always had to return the life that one stole. How foolish of me to ever think I was the right person for him.
But none of it mattered now. I had already solved my first problem.
Samson was so focused on Celia, he would never suspect I would hide the marriage application.
And even if I turned it in normally, it would take at least ten days to get approved.
I would be gone long before the marriage application would be approved.
Chapter 3
After work, I went around to a few watch shops, but everywhere I went, I got the same answer.
“It can’t be fixed.”
When I got back to the house where I was staying temporarily, I drew a little sunflower on the back of the marriage application.
Samson taught me how to draw it when I was a kid.
But now, once I had drawn ten of these, he would have nothing to do with me anymore.
The next day, I still made a point to stop by Mr. Hall’s office.
Mr. Hall had been my father’s comrade and close friend. After my father was killed in action, Mr. Hall always looked out for me. He was almost like family.
He was also one of my superiors. Since I was leaving, I had to let him know, both officially and out of respect.
Mr. Hall frowned deeply after hearing my decision. “Are you sure about this? After so many years with Sam, are you just ending things like this?”
I nodded. “I’m not right for him.”
“Not right? Who can be a better match than you two around here?” Another one of my superiors, Mr. Jameson, came in with his mug and jumped in, teasing me.
I managed a bitter smile. Samson and I had grown up together. Because of my brother, he started giving me rides to and from school early on. After my brother died, Sam stepped up to look after me, no questions asked.
He came from a good family and was talented, and everyone expected he would move up fast. I wasn’t as exceptional, but I had earned a decent reputation at the broadcasting station.
Pretty much everyone assumed we were meant to be. No one realized the one he really cared about was the girl who had gone back to her hometownhis childhood sweetheart and the housekeeper’s daughter, Celia Smith.
“Don’t go quiet on us. Is there some kind of misunderstanding? Don’t do anything rash. I really think Sam cares about you” Mr. Jameson babbled.
“Alright, that’s enough. Go somewhere else, would you?” Mr. Hall cut Mr. Jameson off before he could finish.
Mr. Hall was quiet for a long time, then finally sighed and patted my shoulder. “You’re grown now. It’s good for you to see more of the world.”
As I left the office and walked away, I could still hear Mr. Jameson muttering, “It’s over just like that?”
Mr. Hall sounded annoyed. “Keep your voice down! Do you want to announce it to the whole world?”
Samson didn’t come looking for me for the rest of the day. But honestly, I didn’t care about the watch he promised me anymore.
That night, I drew another sunflower on the back of the application.
Eight days left.
–
On the third morning, the liaison from the home office delivered my ticket. My departure was right on schedule.
I had officially resigned. Mr. Hall must’ve already spoken to the supervisor, so everything went smoothly.
As I was packing up and carrying my box out, I overheard two operators gossiping in the hallway.
“Did you hear? Commander Samson wants his childhood sweetheart to work at the station.”
“I didn’t know we were hiring! Is it just temporary work?”
“No way. She’s his favorite. She’ll never settle for that.”
“That’s true. Worst case, Jessica can just give up her spot for her.”
“Stop.” One of them spotted me and quickly greeted me, flustered. “Hey, Jessica! What a coincidence!”
Both of them looked embarrassed to be caught gossiping about me.
I just nodded like nothing happened and kept walking.
I couldn’t blame them for thinking that way. When Celia first came back, Samson had already suggested I give up my job for her.
I had flatly refused, and that was actually how we had our first real argument.
But Samson’s favoritism had gotten so obvious that people didn’t even bother hiding their opinions anymore.
At this point, it didn’t bother me at all. If anything, I just wanted the next few days to pass faster.
Everything was in order. I just needed to finish packing.
When I got back home, I happened to overhear Celia talking about this.
“If I start working at the station, do you think Jess will be upset?”
Chapter 4
“The radio station isn’t Jessica’s personal territory and is owned by the military. If she can’t understand that, she doesn’t deserve to wear the uniform,” Samson said to Celia, firmly and confidently.
“But Jess hasn’t been home in days. I don’t want you two fighting because of me,” Celia said.
“She’s just being stubborn. This isn’t about you,” Samson replied.
Then, the whole mood changed as I heard Celia laughing. “Sam, don’t let go! Hold on, I’m going to fall! Ah! I’m falling! Sam! Catch me!”
When I walked in, I finally saw what was happening. Samson was helping Celia learn to ride a bike out in the yard, holding her steady as she wobbled along. In the end, Celia shrieked, fell off the bike, and tumbled right into his arms.
“Sam, am I really that stupid? Why can’t I get the hang of this after so long?”
Samson’s voice was gentle. “You’ll get it. Just keep practicing.”
Celia’s smile was radiant. “Sam, you’re the best!”
I couldn’t help remembering when I was learning to ride a bike as I watched the moment. I kept falling, no matter how hard I tried.
Samson eventually lost patience and took me to a hill, saying, “Just fall a couple of times, and you’ll figure it out.”
So, it turned out he did have patience. Just not for me.
“Jess, you’re back!” Celia spotted me first, waving with a big smile.
I nodded. Samson walked right over, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “So, you finally remembered you still have a home?”
He reached for the box I was carrying, but I stepped aside. “It’s fine. You’re busy yourself.”
Samson frowned. “You’re really so”
Just then, Celia called out to him, “Sam, the sun’s getting so hot. I’m going to get burned out here! Can you grab me a sun hat?”
“Sure.” He turned and headed inside. I was going to follow him.
“Jess.” Celia blocked my way with the bike.
“What is it?” I asked.
She glanced toward the door to make sure Samson was gone, then turned back to me. The sweetness in her expression vanished, replaced by a cold sneer.
“Jessica, you get it now, don’t you? I’m the one Sam really likes. If your brother hadn’t stuck you with him before he died, Sam never would have given you a second look. If you have any self-respect at all, you’ll back off and leave before you get kicked out and embarrass your family.”
She paused, eyeing me up and down, then made a show of covering her mouth, like she’d just remembered something.
“Oh, right. I forgot! Your whole family is dead! No one survived! No wonder you’re so desperate to hang onto Sam!”
She snickered behind her hand, her face full of smug disdain.
I felt my whole body go cold. My parents and brother had devoted everything to serving others, right to the very end. They had never let anyone down. Why should they have to endure this kind of humiliation?
I glared at her with my blood boiling. “Celia Smith Apologize. Apologize to my family!”
“Jessica!”
Before I could say another word, Samson came out of the house. He probably thought I was about to hurt Celia and immediately cut me off.
I froze. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Celia raise her eyebrows at me, then suddenly let go of the bike. The next second, pain shot through my side as something heavy crashed down on me. By the time I realized what had happened, I was on the ground, with the bike Celia was riding on top of me.
“Jessica!” Samson rushed over and tried to help me up.
But Celia grabbed his arm, her panic perfectly planned. “Sam, you scared me when you yelled! Oh no, I messed up again! Jess, are you hurt? I’m sorry! It’s my fault, I’m so easily scared that I can’t even hold onto the bike”
Samson moved her aside, picked up the bike, and bent down to check on me.
“Are you okay? Celia didn’t mean it, don’t pin the blame on her.”
I shook my head and turned away, my expression full of bitterness. That was when I noticed all my things scattered on the ground, my resignation letter backup and plane ticket lying right on top.
Chapter 5
Afraid Samson would notice, I ignored Celia and hurried to gather my things.
“I’ll help you.” Samson got there first and picked up my resignation letter backup.
I stared at the plane ticket underneath, my heart pounding, terrified he would see it.
Luckily, all his attention was on the resignation letter. I quickly tucked the ticket away.
“You quit?” Samson sounded genuinely surprised.
“Yeah.” I shoved everything else into the box.
He sounded annoyed. “You could have told me sooner. You wouldn’t let Celia have your job before, but if I had known you were quitting, I wouldn’t have bothered putting in so much effort.”
Maybe realizing he had come off too harsh, he changed his tone again.
“Might as well. My allowance is enough for us to live on. From now on, you can manage the house and take care of Celia.”
I gritted my teeth and pushed myself to my feet, trying to ignore the pain. He reached out to steady me. “Jessica, write a recommendation letter for Celia so no one talks about her behind her back when she starts at the station.”
I didn’t want to waste another second on this, so I just nodded. “Alright.”
For once, Samson actually smiled at me.
“I know I’ve neglected you lately. That’s my fault. Now that Celia’s job is settled, I’ll finally have more time for you. When the marriage application is approved, I’ll go with you to see your parents and brother. We can share the good news with them together.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, my chest aching. That day would never come.
Over the next few days, I quietly packed my bags, wrote a letter to the station chief, visited my family’s graves, and stopped by the veterans’ home to see my father’s old friends.
On my last day, Samson happened to be off work.
I was nervous, already thinking up excuses in case I needed to leave early.
However, he found me first. “Celia can’t ride a bike, so I’m taking her out for a picnic today.”
“Alright.” I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. That meant I could leave before he got back.
He then added, “Celia’s inviting friends over for dinner tonight. Make sure everything’s ready ahead of time.”
I hesitated. I would be on the plane already by that time.
Celia walked in, looking with a pitiful look on her face. “Sam, don’t make it hard for Jess. I can come back and cook for myself.”
Samson frowned, clearly unhappy. “You’re just sitting around, anyway. What’s so hard about making a few extra dishes? You’re really disappointing me, Jessica.”
I didn’t want any more issues before leaving, so I kept my voice steady. “I’ll get dinner ready. You two go have fun.”
For a second, Samson actually looked guilty. Then, as if he suddenly remembered, he said,
“I’ll take you to buy a new watch on my next day off, Jessica.”
Three hours before my flight, I finished cooking a big dinner, drew the last sunflower on the marriage application, and placed it neatly where I usually sit.
Mr. Hall drove me to the airport himself. Right before boarding, he gave me that familiar stern look. “Jessica, do your best out there. Don’t make our unit look bad.”
I saluted him. “I won’t let you down, sir!”
“Alright, get going.” Mr. Hall waved me off, sounding almost annoyed.
As I turned away, I caught a glimpse. The veteran who had never cried on the battlefield was quietly wiping his face as he looked to the side.
C
That night, Samson and Celia came home with a bunch of friends.
The house was quiet and dark, and Samson was already getting irritated. When he turned on the light and saw the table covered with food, his mood finally softened.
“Where’s Jessica?” someone asked.
“Maybe she went out. Let’s eat first,” Celia said, ushering everyone to sit down.
“What’s this?” One of the women at the table spotted the document and called out, surprised. “Commander, why is your marriage application with Jessica here?”
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