Desolation Is the End

1
As the wedding march played, my bride Captain Evelyn Reed detonated our lives. Her lover Aiden was on his deathbed.
She rose from the altar, tearing off her veil. Caleb, Aiden is dying. I have to go now. Her eyes showed no guilt.
Silence fell. The Commands top brass in the front pews watched with stony displeasure.
Evelyn, I said clearly, this is more than our weddingits an alliance between our families. Will you shatter the honor of both dynasties for one man?
Evelyn froze, shocked by my public challenge.
Whispers spread:
Poor Dr. Hall
They say shes carrying that mans child
In my past life, Id begged her to stay, but Aiden died alone and she miscarried from grief. She grew to hate me, tormenting me until my death and leaving my body to rot in the rainforests.
Now, reborn at the altar, I looked at Evelyn in white and felt only cold irony.
This time, everyone would see it was the Reeds who betrayed me. This time, Evelyn Reed would pay for her choice.
Captain Reed, its an emergency! A young woman in uniform burst into the chapel, interrupting the vows. Aidens fading fast! Hes asking for you!
Tears streamed down her face. Captain, please, you have to save him! Hes the father of your baby!
Even knowing the truth, the words were a dagger to the heart. She was already pregnant with another mans child.
My hand tightened around the velvet ring box. Across from me, Evelyns hand went limp, her face draining of color. What are you talking about? Whats happened to Aiden?
She turned to leave, ready to abandon the entire congregation.
Last time, this was the moment I stopped her, forcing her into a marriage that became my tomb.
This time, I wouldnt stand in her way. But I would make her fall.
I grabbed her arm. Evelyn, who is Aiden? And what did she mean, youre pregnant? I let shock and devastation flood my features, earning looks of pity from every guest.
The whispers started again. My God, the poor man. His bride is pregnant with her lovers child before the wedding is even over.
On the day of their union, too. What a slap in the face to the Hall family.
Evelyn shot me an impatient look. Caleb, its true, Im carrying Aidens child. It was an accident. But I cant let him die alone. Ill explain everything later.
She tried to pull away.
Wait, I said, stepping in front of her. Today is our wedding day. Youre going to walk out on me, in front of our commanders and comrades, for another man? What does that say about the honor of my family?
If you loved someone else, why didnt you tell me? Why wait until our wedding day to humiliate me like this?
A Hall son doesnt have to marry a Reed daughter.
She tore her hand from my grasp. Im not saying I wont marry you! But Aidens life is on the line! I cant just ignore that!
My eyes welled up, a single tear tracing a perfect path down my cheek. But this alliance was set in stone by our families. The invitations were sent, the union sanctioned by the Command. If you leave now, this marriage is void. You can explain that to our parents tomorrow. My tears fell like broken pearls.
In this life, I had learned how to weaponize weakness. I would make it clear to everyone that Evelyn Reed, and the entire Reed family, were the ones at fault.
Hearing the gossip around them, Evelyns parents, General and Mrs. Reed, turned beet red. Evelyn, stop this nonsense! her father boomed. Today is your wedding to Caleb! You will not walk out of here!
Get back here and finish the ceremony!
The young woman soldier dropped to her knees. General, Maam, please! Aiden is the father of your grandchild! Can you truly be so heartless?
Captain, she cried, turning to Evelyn, Aiden has followed you without name or recognition. Are you really going to let him die alone?
Father, Mother, can you? Evelyn echoed, her voice pleading. She then turned her glare on me. This is a dynastic union. The marriage is inevitable, so whats the rush? Is the great Hall family so desperate to marry me off that it cant wait a single day? Isnt that a little pathetic?
Her tone softened. Caleb, I know youre reasonable. Well be living together soon enough. Im sure you and Aiden can get along peacefully, cant you?
A cold smile touched my lips. Evelyn, you and I are not yet married. This union is not yet fact. I have no intention of becoming brothers with your lover.
I threw the ring box to the ground. If youre so determined to save him, I wont stop you. But the alliance between our families will not be jeopardized by your personal drama.
Does the Reed family name mean so little to you?
General Reeds face was a mask of cold fury. Evelyn, this union affects the standing of two Commands! Are you going to drag this entire family through the mud for some boy?
Evelyn was dismissive. Father, I agreed to the alliance, didnt I? What does it matter when the wedding happens? Youre making a mountain out of a molehill. She was completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation. Whats next? Are you going to dictate when were allowed to sleep together?
Seeing her fathers rage finally boil over, I took a step forward, a faint smile on my lips. I addressed her parents. General, Mrs. Reed. The alliance is between the Hall and Reed families. It doesn't specify which daughter I must marry.
Since Evelyn already has someone she loves, I wont stand in her way. Our engagement is hereby terminated. The woman I marry today will be her sister, Elara Reed.
The chapel erupted in gasps.
Evelyn laughed out loud. What did you say? You want to marry my sister? Shes just a border patrol grunt! I am a Special Forces Captain! The chosen successor to the Reed legacy! Have you lost your mind?
I met her arrogant gaze without flinching. And what of it? You may be the heir, but you cheated during our engagement and got pregnant by another man. Why would I marry someone with no loyalty? Elara may serve on the border, but she is a decorated soldier with integrity. She is a thousand times the woman you will ever be.
I gave her a mocking look. Or are you having second thoughts? Do you want to marry me after all? Oh, but dear Aiden I wonder how hes doing. Is he writhing in agony right now?
The young soldier tugged on Evelyns arm. Captain, we cant wait any longer! Aiden is running out of time!
Evelyn stared at me, her face a canvas of contempt. Fine. If youd rather marry my sister than be my husband, Ill grant you your wish. After I have Aidens baby, hell live with me in the Reed house. Caleb Hall, dont you dare regret this!
With that, she ripped the brides corsage from her dress, threw it to the floor, and stormed out of the chapel in a fury.
I turned to my aide. Contact my parents. Tell them to bring the alliance contract.
My parents arrived within minutes. My fathers face was thunderous. So this is the Reed familys honor! Do you take the Halls for fools? For your daughter to create such a scandal on her wedding day Dont blame us for what comes next.
I stepped between them. Father, its settled. I wont marry Evelyn. But the alliance is what matters, not the specific bride. With Evelyns infidelity and her pregnancy, I refuse to marry her. But she isnt the only daughter. There is still Elara.
My mother spoke in a low voice. Caleb, you dont have to sacrifice yourself. If we annul the contract now, the fault is entirely theirs.
I smiled faintly. Annulling a sanctioned military union was a messy affair. Switching the bride was far simpler. The Command wouldnt care if I married the first or second Reed daughter, as long as the alliance held firm.
Besides, in my previous life, after Evelyn had driven me to my death, it was Elara who had stood up at my funeral and condemned her sisters betrayal, opening everyones eyes to Evelyns true nature.
My father considered this, then nodded. He turned to General Reed. General, your thoughts?
General and Mrs. Reed agreed immediately. This is for the best. Weve wronged Caleb terribly. Someone, get Elara here at once.
My father held up a hand. Of course my son has been wronged. Captain Reeds deplorable conduct and public breach of this contract if word of this gets out, it will damage both our reputations. She was pregnant with another mans child during her engagement to my son.
If the Reed family offers no form of amends, the high command might assume you condone this behavior.
General Reed looked stunned. What do you propose?
I spoke up. Since you agree that I have been wronged, and my family has chosen not to escalate this into a public feud, there is a simple solution. I suggest, General, that you recommend to the Command that Evelyn be stripped of her promotion eligibility. Her key duties should be reassigned to Elara.
After all, as the designated heir, Evelyn has accomplished little besides bringing scandal to her family. Elara is a proven hero with a string of commendations. Dont you think she is far better suited for leadership?
Defeated, General Reed finally nodded. Very well. I will submit the recommendation to change the succession tomorrow.
Miss Elara is here.
I turned. Elara was standing at the back of the crowd. I didnt know how long shed been listening. Dressed in her dusty border patrol uniform, she looked weary from travel, but it couldnt hide her striking features. As she walked forward, her father placed a hand on her shoulder. The familys future rests on you now. Since your sister has no regard for her duty, let her have her freedom. The position of Reed heir is no longer hers.
Elaras gaze met mine. Dr. Hall, Im just a soldier. I dont understand all this romance and drama. I may not have time for moonlit walks. But I, Elara Reed, swear this: if we marry, I will be loyal to you for the rest of my life.
I smiled. I know.
As the wedding march began anew, I placed the veil on her head. We exchanged rings and became husband and wife.
Under the warm glow of the wedding lights, a weight lifted from my soul. This time, I was free of Evelyn Reed. And I had taken her future.
Lets see how she feels when she realizes she lost everything for the sake of her precious Aiden.
The story of how Captain Reed abandoned her groom at the altar for a lover spread through the entire military command overnight.
Three days later, when I accompanied Elara to her family home for the customary post-wedding visit, the Reeds had summoned Evelyn to return.
She didnt come alone. On her arm was Aiden, his cheeks rosy with health. For a man who was supposedly at deaths door just days ago, he looked remarkably well. He wore a designer coat and a custom watch, his arm wrapped possessively around Evelyns waist as they strolled in.
General, Mrs. Reed. Im Aiden. He didnt bother to hide his smugness, his other hand resting on her still-flat stomach.
The Generals face turned to stone. What is the meaning of this? How dare you bring him here today!
Father, Mother, Aiden is the man I love, Evelyn announced. He is the father of my child. I cant pretend he doesnt exist.
Aiden and I are truly in love. Weve decided to get married. Ill be filing the official request with the Command.
Aiden looked at her with theatrical devotion. Evelyn, my love, having you is all I need. Please, dont argue with your parents for my sake.
Evelyn hugged him tighter. My mind is made up. You will be my husband.
She then saw me, dressed in my formal suit, and her tone softened. Caleb, I know I wronged you on the wedding day, leaving you to face the guests alone. I didnt expect you to be so understanding and not make a scene. Ill make it up to you.
What I said about breaking the engagement was just in the heat of the moment. Ill treat you well from now on.
But Aiden is the father of my child, so he is the one I must marry. You can stay here with me. Aiden is a gentle soul, not suited for managing a household. You can run things here; it will give you some standing. You and Aiden must learn to get along.
I was about to respond to this torrent of nonsense when someone else spoke for me. Sister, what are you saying to my husband? Caleb, darling, its time to serve tea to the elders.
Elara stepped out from behind me, gently taking my arm.
Evelyn was dumbfounded. What did you say? Your husband? The person Caleb married was me! How could it be you?
Elara smiled, her hand tightening on mine. No, sister. You didnt complete the wedding. You ran off to be with your Aiden, remember? Everyone in the Command knows that the person who exchanged rings with Caleb and spent the wedding night with him was me.
Impossible! Evelyn shrieked. Father, Mother, how could you let this happen? Well be a laughingstock!
General Reeds face was dark. Youre just now realizing we became a laughingstock yesterday? If it werent for Elara, the Reed family name would be in ruins!
Suddenly, the formal announcement of a military courier cut through the argument.

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