It's All Fate

1
It all started when they found my boyfriend's brother's DNAhis fingerprints, his fluidson my sister's body.
Thats when Julian Howard and I went insane.
I hunted his brother down and returned the favor in blood and bone.
And on the day of my sisters funeral, he bought out every digital billboard in the city center and plastered my most private photos across them for the world to see.
We were drowning in a sea of red, our hatred too wild, too fierce to contain. The love we once shared twisted into the sharpest of blades, and we plunged them into each other until we were both bleeding out.
Eventually, High Command had enough. They shipped one of us overseas and kept the other stateside.
The next time we met, Julian was a decorated Major General.
And I was riddled with a sickness that would kill me in less than three months.
After picking up my prescription, I headed back to the flower shop I owned, right across from the main gate of the garrison.
As I stepped inside, the large screen opposite was broadcasting a news segment on Julians return to D.C. The golden boy of the base, now the Armys youngest Major General, was back from his overseas tour. It was major news, and every network was scrambling for coverage.
I tore my eyes away and placed the fresh white daisies Id brought before my sister's photograph.
Suddenly, the door burst open and a young woman in a white dress rushed in, clutching a massive, dazzling bouquet of red roses.
She had a quiet look about her, but her voice was crisp and clear as she pointed to the imported Avalanche roses in the cooler. All of these. Ill take them all!
Right behind her was Julians adjutant, Marcus.
His steps faltered the moment he saw me, his expression growing strained. Linda, maybe we should try another shop?
No, she shot back instantly.
I sent Julian an eternal flower box from here once, and he said it was special. Tonight is his promotion dinner, and I want everything to be perfect.
She blinked her clear, bright eyes at me. Maam, my fianc was just promoted to Major General. He absolutely loves the flowers from your shop. I was wondering could we possibly use your space to host a small celebration for him?
I couldnt refuse. I simply nodded.
Could you add some lisianthus, too? she added softly.
I agreed, but my hands wouldnt stop shaking as I began to arrange the bouquet.
It wasn't fear, nor was it nostalgia.
It was the sickness, flaring up again. The kind there's no cure for.
Marcus, can you please help me? Julian will be here any minute, and I want to make him happy.
Marcus remained frozen in place. He knew better than anyone that seeing me would never make Julian Howard happy.
On the screen, Julian offered the cameras a practiced smile, but his eyes were devoid of warmth.
I imagine shes watching this, he said as the camera zoomed in, the scar high on his brow stark and clear. Im very much looking forward to this reunion.
Id given him that one with a combat knife. No particular reason. I was in a bad mood, and he was there.
And the puckered bullet hole just below my collarbone was his handiwork, from when hed deliberately aimed high during target practice.
No particular reason for that, either.
We've always believed in an eye for an eye. We took pleasure in seeing the other bleeding and broken.
On the TV, a female reporter was smiling. Major General Howard, will you be stationed in D.C. for the long term? I see youve brought roses. Are you on your way to see someone important?
He paused, his voice low. My fiance.
In the shop, the girl was meticulously arranging the roses and lilies. Hearing his voice, she glanced back at the screen.
Marcus, I heard Julian had an old flame in D.C., someone he was tangled up with for years. Do you know anything about that?
I kept my head down, trimming stems, but in my peripheral vision, I saw Marcuss gaze land on me.
Julian! the girl cried out, shattering the tense silence in the shop. She ran outside, so eagerly she forgot her coat.
Linda.
Outside, Julian caught her leaping form with one steady arm, draping his uniform jacket over her shoulders with the other.
She stood on her toes and pressed a rain-dampened kiss to his jaw.
Julian seemed to turn his head just slightly, avoiding it.
Across the misted glass of the window, our eyes met.
Linda started to turn, but he cupped the back of her head and pulled her into a deep, possessive kiss.
I looked away, snipping the last ribbon.
Marcus was now standing in front of me. He hesitated, then lowered his voice.
Sienna, I'm begging you It's his promotion day. At least for today, don't make a scene.
He paused, then added, The girl just turned twenty. Shes the lead performer in the militarys arts corps. Her smile it looks a little like yours did, when you were younger.
I nodded, my fingertips numb with cold. It does. And shes gentler than I ever was.
The door opened again. Julian walked in, holding a furled black umbrella.
Talking about my fiance?
His lips were curved into a smile, but his eyes were chips of ice as they fell on me.
Marcus held his breath, watching me, waiting to see if I would explode like I always did.
But I simply held out the prepared flowers. Your pre-ordered bouquet. Please check it.
Linda cupped her face in her hands, her eyes shining with adoration for Julian. Julian, smell it. Isnt it your favorite, champagne roses?
Julians fingers brushed against a petal, his thumb stroking the silk ribbon as he leaned in.
Too fragrant, he murmured, his voice lilting as he teased her. Cloying. Not really for me.
Linda looked down, confused. But its so delicate! Youre teasing me again!
She didnt see it. The moment she looked down, Julians eyes were locked on me.
The next second, the glass door was thrown open.
Howard! Congrats on the promotion!
A few officers in civilian clothes burst in, their grins freezing on their faces the moment they saw me. Their eyes darted from me to Marcus, full of alarm and suspicion.
I walked over with a tray of tea, and they took a collective step backas if I were carrying a live grenade.
Over the years, our battles on the training grounds had often involved them as collateral damage. They were just standard exercises, but I hadnt realized Id left them with such deep-seated muscle memory.
One of them nudged Marcus discreetly. What the hell is this?
Marcus just shrugged.
Please, have some tea, I said, turning to leave.
But Linda caught my wrist. Maam, could you take a picture for us?
No.
I gently pulled my arm free, refusing without a second thought.
I had barely turned when a shadow fell over me.
I looked up. It was Julian, his face a cold mask. I know how you people in business are, he said, his tone flat. Everything has a price. Name it. How much to buy your
He paused, his voice dripping with malice, as if waiting for me to lash out. When I didnt react, he finished coldly, ...services as a photographer.
I looked him up and down, then started to walk around him.
An old injury in my forearm screamed as he grabbed it. I stumbled, falling to my knees as a black credit card hit my face, the card's edge slicing a thin, bloody line across my cheek.
Theres enough on that card to buy your life.
I pushed myself back to my feet, my eyes locked on his.
Linda stepped between us, smiling brightly, trying to smooth things over. Julian, dont be like this
Im so sorry, maam. My fianc must be exhausted from his recent field exercises.
But his uniform was crisp, his breathing even. He was just looking for a fight, same as he had for the past decade.
For the first time, I truly believed it. His years overseas had made him arrogant. He had forgotten just what kind of person I was.
I knelt, picked up the black card, and stood before him.
A snicker came from the group of officers. Look at that, Howard. The woman hasnt changed a bit. Sees money and she cant walk away.
He held out his phone, a smug look on his face, clearly satisfied with my apparent submission.
I wrapped a thorny rose stem around the black card, then grabbed his wrist and ground it into his palm.
I didnt stop until I smelled blood. Then I snatched two cups of tea from the table and threw them in his face.
Your mouth is filthy, I said calmly. Allow me to wash it out.
In the same motion, I slapped the man who had spoken. You useless dog. If you can't use your mouth for anything but barking, shut it.
It all happened too fast for anyone to react. The only sound was the rain lashing against the windows.
Marcus leaned against the wall, downed a cup of tea in one gulp, and sighed. Why did you have to provoke her?
Linda, snapping out of her shock, stepped forward, her voice trembling with indignation. Maam! I know we were rude, but this is completely out of line!
Her face was flushed with anger. She raised her hand to strike me.
Ah! The moment her arm moved, I caught her wrist, twisted, and a sharp slap echoed in the small shop.
The only sound left was Lindas choked sobs.
Julian wiped the water from his face, his smile chilling. Hitting me is one thing. But touching my fiance thats where you crossed the line.
He pulled the weeping Linda behind him. How about I smash this place up for you? Would that make you feel better?
Linda bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes, and nodded.
In an instant, several soldiers rushed in from outside. Flower stands toppled, glass shattered, crystal vases exploded.
Icy rain and wind poured in, soaking my white shirt.
Julian grabbed my chin, forcing my head up. You werent wrong. But she needs an answer. Think about what you want for compensation. Write it down, send it to me. Ill pay it in full.
His eyes were dark, like he was interrogating a prisoner of war.
I shoved him away and broke into a violent coughing fit, frantically searching through the wreckage.
A small pill bottle rolled out. My eyes lit up.
But he was faster. He bent down, picked it up, and studied the label.
Six painkillers at once? You really do have a death wish.
With that, he casually tossed the bottle into a puddle of water, wrapped his arm around Linda, and left.
I knelt by the puddle, retrieved the bottle, and swallowed two more pills.
They didn't just kill the pain; they calmed the storm inside me.
I used to need half a pill. Now, even eight wasn't enough.
The pills were almost gone. My life, too, was almost over.
In the last three years, both my parents had died. My health never fully recovered, so I took a medical discharge and used my savings to open this shop.
Now it was destroyed, and I had nowhere else to go.
Maybe it was the pain, a fresh wave crashing over me, but I didn't have the strength to move. I just sat there, in the ruins, as the night rain soaked me to the bone.
Overnight, the gossip spread through the garrison: "Major General Howard Trashes Old Flame's Shop for New Fiance."
As dawn broke, I prepared to leave.
Before I went, I turned to the wreckage, sank to my knees, and bowed my head three times in a final, silent farewell.
Julian appeared behind me, seemingly out of nowhere, and yanked me to my feet.
Its just a broken-down shop. Is it really worth all this?
I wrenched my arm free, steadied myself, and then, with three sharp, clean motions, I slapped him across the face.
My parents' military decorations were in there, I said, my voice flat. Theyre gone.
He flicked his tongue against the inside of his bruised cheek and let out a cold laugh. Is that right? Three slaps for your parents medals? Sounds like I got the better end of that deal.
I ignored him, my gaze fixed on the ruins.
He stood behind me, his voice a low venom, deliberately saying things to cut me deep.
Sienna, Im talking to you.
I acted as if I hadn't heard, walking straight past him.
He caught up in a few strides, blocking my path.
Dont play stoic with me! Look at yourself. Your face is as white as a sheet. Who are you trying to fool?
Its just an old injury acting up. Makes me look a little tired, thats all. I looked up, forcing a smile that didnt reach my eyes. Julian, do you really think youre important enough to affect me?
But I knew the truth.
He had come back for this. To torment me.
If my body were what it used to be, I wouldn't have minded another round with him. Id have enjoyed giving him another taste of a bullet tearing through flesh.
But now, just standing here was draining the last of my strength.
The military hospital smelled sharply of antiseptic.
A group of army doctors stood around my scans, their faces grim.
The experimental medication I gave you last time, how much is left?
Its gone.
Gone?! Dr. Evans voice shot up. That was a three-month supply! Its only been a week!
Dr. Evans had been managing my case for a long time. The way he hesitated now, unable to meet my eyes, told me everything. My time was shorter than I thought.
Do you have any family? he asked tentatively.
You forgot, Doctor? I replied calmly. My father was killed in action. My mother is gone. My sister
Im all thats left.
He took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. But you were stable for three years. What happened this week?
I glanced at my phone. The news feed had automatically pushed an article to the top. A picture of Julian with his arm around Linda at the promotion dinner.
The person I thought I had stopped caring about could still wound me the deepest.
Julian was the one bullet in my life that always found its mark, killing without leaving a trace of blood.
Your prognosis is not good. Once youre off the medication, seven days, a month, three months it's all a critical period.
Take this, he said, handing me a small bottle. Three pills when the pain is unbearable. Remember, no more than three
Before he could finish, I had twisted the cap off, poured a handful into my palm, and swallowed them dry.
The number didn't matter. Not as long as it could silence the agony gnawing at my bones.
Seven days or three months. It made no difference to me.
After taking the pills, I slumped in a corner of the hospital corridor, my back pressed against the cold tiles. It was a trick Id learned. If I could make myself cold enough, numb enough, the pain would recede.
A cold sweat soaked through my clothes.
For ten minutes, I listened to the prayers and weeping from outside the operating room next door, all those desperate hopes hanging on the thread between life and death.
Mommy, isnt that the sister from the bed next to ours? Should we go say goodbye?
Her illness its not going to get better. Lets not bother her. Poor girl. Both parents died in service, and now shes so badly injured. Im afraid at the end there wont be anyone to even collect her body.
The little girl looked up, confused. But surely someone in the world must care about the pretty sister?
I blinked, my vision blurring, then focusing on my phone screen.
A text from Julian.
Hed been messaging me nonstop since last night, demanding to know what I wanted as compensation.
I thought about it. Maybe there was no one who cared. But there was, at least, someone to collect the body.
I dialed the number I knew by heart.
He answered on the first ring.
Decided what you want?
I took a breath, swallowing the metallic taste in my throat. If you really want to compensate me, Julian, you can collect my body.

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