She Saved Her First Love While I Bled
She simply looked at me, her eyes flat and cold, and said: Rhys Beaumont, dont take this to your father. Hes the one who will be destroyed.
I didn't believe her. Crying, I told my father the truth.
That night, he jumped.
In that instant, my world fractured and collapsed.
I drove a stolen SUV straight through my mothers second wedding reception, smashing the ballroom to hell.
The next day, she put me on a plane to Berlin.
My wildest years were spent overseas. I tasted every flavor of blonde bombshell and went through lovers like clean socks. The line of people chasing me stretched from Ibiza to Paris.
But just as a stunning girl in a silk slip was sitting on my lap in a penthouse suite, a curt wire from my mother summoned me back to Capitol City.
Her demand: I was to marry Major General Stella Kincaid.
I knew the rumors. She was ice. Stoic, famously ascetic, and rigidly disciplineda woman who had never, they said, let a man touch her hand, let alone her.
The thought of marrying someone so utterly joyless choked me.
I did everything I could to derail the engagement.
I hired the most expensive escort in the city and brought her to a military gala as my date. Stella, in her razor-sharp dress uniform, merely walked in, gave me a look that could freeze water, and silently led me back to The Compound.
I deliberately caused a scenea full-blown, drunken riotright outside the base gates. She personally appeared at the Joint Chief's office the next morning to smooth it over, silencing the scandal before it could even whisper.
I was the disaster, and she was the cleanup crew.
It wasn't until I got thrown into the city jail for a bar fight that she finally broke a mission for me. She interrupted a massive combat drill, leaving over a thousand troops mid-exercise just to come get me.
As she bandaged my torn knuckles, her voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
I dont care how much trouble you cause, Rhys. Or how many headlines you make.
I can manage all of that.
I only care if you are hurting, here.
1
My heart seized in my chest.
No one had ever truly cared about me. Not with that sincerity, not since my father.
Stella Kincaids single sentence shattered every one of my defenses.
My voice was hoarse when I finally spoke. Do you have an unfinished love? A ghost of a soulmate you couldnt keep? Because the woman I marry can only have room in her heart for me.
Stellas gentle gaze rested on my face. No. Only you.
And so, I married her.
After that, a saying circulated in the social circles of Capitol City: Dont cross Major General Kincaids husband, Rhys Beaumont.
Because no matter the scope of the mess I created, the Ice General would always be standing behind me, using her formidable power to protect me.
I really thought that my small, fragile light had finally penetrated her cold heart.
It wasn't until I went to the base to drop off some forgotten files that I overheard a conversation between her and a colleague.
Major General Kincaid, whats the biggest lie youve ever told?
Stella was silent for a moment, then she slowly replied:
Someone once asked me if I had an unattainable, lost love.
I lied and told him I didnt.
Boom!
A sonic boom detonated in my skull. I froze instantly.
She had someone?
Then why the hell did she lie to me?
Just as I was about to burst in and demand an explanation, an aide rushed in and whispered something to her.
Stellas usually perfect composure fractured. Her face went tight, and she rushed out.
I hailed a cab and followed close behind.
The car stopped outside an abandoned, half-finished building on the outskirts of the city.
A distraught man was holding a boy hostage with a knife.
The moment Stella saw the boy, her voice went taut, vibrating with an intensity Id never heard. Let him go!
The captor sneered. Stella Kincaid! They say your greatest love is Rhys Beaumont, but I know the one you truly carry in your heart is himLeo Sinclair! You busted my operation, drove me to the wall! Today, Ill show you what true despair tastes like!
Stella fought to maintain her calm. Your fight is with me! Let him go and come for me!
Let him go? Fine! The man kicked a military-issue blade toward her. Stab yourself once in the heart! Then Ill consider it!
Stella didn't hesitate. She bent, scooped up the knife, and plunged ithardtoward her own heart.
I was hidden in the shadows, my nails digging crescent moons into my palms to stifle a scream.
She was willing to sacrifice herselfto kill herselffor another man?
The captor roared with insane laughter. It looks like you truly do love him desperately! All the more reason to kill him!
But as he raised his knife, the embedded Special Forces team swarmed in and subdued him.
Sirens wailed as the ambulance rushed in to take Stella away.
Through the chaos, no one noticed methe man standing in the corner, his face ghost-white.
Just then, Leo Sinclair walked over.
I stared, rigid. What what exactly is your relationship with Stella Kincaid?
Leo offered a bitter, self-mocking smile and laid out the sickening truth. Two years ago, he and Stella were deeply in love and planning to marry.
But then he was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive blood disease. The only cure was an incredibly scarce, breakthrough gene therapy drug called Novagen.
The only person in the entire city with guaranteed access to the Novagen supply was my mother.
Stella had gone to her, pleading for the drug.
My mothers condition: Stella had to marry me and conceive a child with me.
The truth hit me like a lightning strike.
No wonder she was so relentlessly and abnormally fixated on our intimate life, almost every night...
The colossal shame and heartbreak nearly tore me to pieces.
I spun around and marched straight into General Beaumonts penthouse.
My mother paused in surprise when she saw me, but I went straight to the point.
Did you use that Novagen drug to force Stella Kincaid to marry me?
Eleanor Beaumont smiled, utterly unbothered.
So what if I did? I did it for you! Stella is a Major General, a rising star! You have no idea how many"
I slammed my hands down, flipping the solid wood table. My eyes were burning red.
Im giving you two options! First: you give the Novagen to Stella Kincaid! Second: you use every ounce of your influence to grant Stella and me the fastest divorce possible!
Otherwise, I will level this place, and none of us will walk away.
My spine rigid, I turned and left.
I didn't go back to The Compound. I went straight to the nightclub I frequented.
For three days straight, I drowned myself in the haze of the club, drinking and dancing, trying to numb the growing emptiness and coldness in my chest.
A girl sidled up. Hey, handsome. Drinking alone is boring. How about I keep you company?
I frowned, annoyance flaring, ready to tell her to get lost.
The next second, a sickening crack of bone snapped through the noise, and the girl screamed, crumpling to the floor.
I looked up into the cold, stunning face of Stella Kincaid.
Go. If I see you touch him again, Ill make sure you dont walk.
The woman scrambled away, terrified.
But my heart was a block of ice.
What are you doing here? My voice was devoid of warmth.
Stellas brow furrowed. I was on an urgent deployment for the last few days. I got back and heard youve been here for seventy-two hours. Theres a limit to how much you can indulge your temper, Rhys. Its time to come home.
Urgent deployment?
My heart felt like it had been shredded by a thousand micro-bullets.
Was 'urgent deployment' her code for 'getting a knife to the chest for your sweetheart?'
I didn't call her lie. I turned my face away, my tone flat. Im not going back.
I pushed past her, trying to walk out.
But Stellas arm shot out, grabbing my waist and hauling me back to her.
Stella Kincaid! What the hell are you doing! I was shocked and furious, thrashing against her.
Ignoring my struggle and kicks, she pulled me deeper into a dimly lit corner behind the main dance floor.
Rhys Her voice was raw, her breath ragged. Do you know how long its been since you performed your duties as a husband?
If you wont come home well do it right here
No! I wont! Stella Kincaid, if you touch me today, I will hate you forever!
My shame and rage were immense, but they were eclipsed by the crushing pain in my core.
Dont be scared the lights are dim. No one will see us
She gave me no more chance to resist, forcing me to push into her.
The dry, abrasive friction made my body instantly tense, and a choked cry of pain escaped me.
Just endure it Stellas voice was thick with suppressed need. I can handle this pain, you can handle this. We still have a child to conceive.
A child to conceive
Those three words were a poisoned blade, plunging deep into my chest.
I lifted my head suddenly, my voice deadly. Stella Kincaid, what if I told you I dont want to have a child with you?
Stellas movements instantly stalled.
Rhys, I can yield to you on everything else, but not this. This is non-negotiable.
Her words, which were meant to sound so deep and loving, became a sharp, mocking tool in my ear.
She couldn't see my pain, my despair, my terror. All she saw was Leo Sinclairs survival.
Suddenly, a scream ripped through the corner.
I twisted my head. Leo Sinclair was standing not far from us, his face chalk-white, tears streaming down his cheeks, looking right at us.
The next second, he spun around and ran, sobbing.
Stellas face instantly changed. She pulled away from me almost instantaneously and ran after him!
I staggered to my feet, adjusting my wrinkled clothes, feeling like a lifeless puppet as I walked out of that repulsive corner.
But as I exited the clubs back door, I heard a shout from above: Someone jumped!
I instinctively looked up, and saw a figure plummeting from the roof of the club.
CRASH!
A heavy, sickening thud. The falling body landed squarely on me.
I didn't even have time to scream before I lost consciousness. I woke up in the military hospital, hearing the frantic voice of a nurse.
Both patients are severely wounded! Internal bleeding, multiple fractures but we only have one operating room left! The patient who goes second has a high risk of death! Major General Kincaid, you must choose who do we save first?
Then, I heard Stellas hoarse voice. You have to save both! Cant we arrange a transfer?
We cant, Major General! Their condition is too unstable for travel! You you must make a choice now
A suffocating silence.
Finally, I heard Stella Kincaid speak, one word at a time: Save Leo. First.
I already knew the answer. But hearing her make that choice, with my own ears, my heart felt like it was instantly ripped apart. I couldnt breathe.
When I opened my eyes again, Stella was sitting by my bedside.
She leaned in immediately when she saw I was awake. Youre up? How are you feeling? Anything else hurt?
I slowly turned my head, avoiding her touch. You already gave up on me at the operating room doors. You chose to save him. Why are you putting on this performance of concern now?
Stellas body stiffened. Clearly, she hadnt expected me to overhear.
Leo is a close, old friend. He was gravely ill, and his body has been very weak. In that situation, if he didnt get surgery immediately, he would have died Thats why I chose him first.
She paused, then looked back at me. But I immediately called in the military's mobile surgical unit, so you received timely treatment as well... Rhys, I didnt abandon you.
I laughed coldly. Stella Kincaid, if hes just an old friend, then why did he lose control and jump when he saw us together?
Stella fell silent again.
After a long moment, she said, Leo once had a deep love, a partner he couldn't be with for many complex reasons. His emotions have been unstable. Seeing us that night perhaps it triggered something, making him act rashly.
I hadn't realized she was such a good liar.
I remembered vividly on our wedding night, when Id half-jokingly, half-seriously said: Stella Kincaid, I hate being lied to more than anything. My father lived and died by my mothers lies. If you lie to me, Ill walk away and never look back.
She had gently stroked my cheek, her voice low. I wont lie to you.
And now, the lies were piling up.
Love, to me, had always been optional. If it worked, great. If not, I'd move on.
The second I confirmed she was lying, she was already gone from my world.
Seeing my silence, Stella changed the subject.
She pulled out a polished wooden box containing a set of shimmering military medals.
I remember you said you were looking for your fathers belongings that your stepfather sold off. Stella offered the box to me, her voice gentle. I searched everywhere, finally tracking them down at a military museum overseas. I completed the set for you.
My eyes flickered, resting on the familiar, aged gold.
My heart was lightly squeezed by an invisible hand, and a wave of soreness hit the back of my throat.
I reached out and took the box.
Ill take the gift, but I wont say thank you.
Because soon, Ill be sending you one hell of a gift, too.
Stella frowned, about to ask what I meant, when an aide knocked and reported a few urgent details.
Her face immediately hardened. She stood up. Rhys, I have an emergency task. I have to lead the team. Rest well.
Watching her hurried exit, my mind was crystal clear.
Emergency task. It was just code for rushing to the next room to comfort the fragile soulmate she prioritized over everything else.
The following days were spent in quiet recovery.
I walked past Leo Sinclairs room countless times, and through the slightly ajar door, I always saw Stella meticulously, personally, taking care of him.
I would just glance over and move on, a calmness settling in my heart.
After all, she would soon no longer be my wife. Who she cared for was none of my business.
One afternoon, I returned from a checkup to find my bedside table had been moved.
My stomach dropped. I yanked the drawer open.
My fathers war medalsgone.
I grabbed the nearest nurse. Who was in my room? Where are my things?!
It it was Mr. Sinclair. He said he was retrieving something for you
My eyes turned to ice. I stormed straight toward Leo Sinclairs room.
Leo was leaning by the window, and he looked at my frigid expression, seemingly having expected me.
Where is it? What did you do with the box?
Leo stared back, speaking softly.
I left it in the hospitals morgue.
If you want it, you can go get it yourself. The hospital morgue was on the second basement levelcold, dark, and silent.
I have claustrophobia, and Ive been terrified of the dark since I was a child. A primal terror shot through me.
Gritting my teeth, I shoved open the heavy, freezing metal drawers one by one.
In a cabinet tucked away in a corner, I saw the familiar rosewood box.
I sighed in relief, snatched the box, and turned to leave, but then I heard a heavy CLANG.
The steel door of the morgue had been locked from the outside.
Leo Sinclair! Open the door!
I threw myself against the door, pounding and screaming hoarsely.
Leos voice, laced with a smug chuckle, drifted through the steel.
Enjoy your stay, Mr. Beaumont. Youll have plenty of company down there
His footsteps faded into the distance.
Let me out! Open the door!
I threw all my weight against the door, shouting, but the only response was the deafening silence and the bone-chilling cold.
My injuries were unhealed. The fear and the cold rapidly depleted my strength.
Eventually, I slumped against the freezing metal door, my consciousness fading until I passed out.
I dont know how much time passed, but I dimly woke to muffled voices outside the door.
Stella Im so sorry. I only meant it as a joke, telling him I left his stuff in the morgue, I didnt think hed actually go in Now the police are here, saying Im facing unlawful detainment charges What should I do?
Then came Stellas low voice.
I already signed the waiver of prosecution as your family member. Its handled. Dont worry.
Lying on that cold floor, listening to their exchange, my heart turned to ash.
Leo Sinclair almost killed me in here, and Stella Kincaid had casually signed a waiver for him?
An uncontrollable rage surged, shooting straight to my head. I grabbed a glass bottle from a nearby utility cart and hurled it, shattering it against the steel door.
The door flew open instantly.
Stella walked in, with Leo right behind her.
I pushed myself into a sitting position, my weak body shaking, my eyes fixed on Stella.
He nearly killed me. What right did you have to sign that waiver?!
Stella looked at my pale face, a complex flicker in her eyes.
Rhys, Leos intentions were innocent. It was a misguided joke. He didn't think youd take him seriously.
A joke? I laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. Stella Kincaid, you know me. This isnt over!
Stella pressed her temples, her voice strained with fatigue. What do you want?
I ignored her and ordered the aide standing by the door. Go. Bring me ten buckets of ice water.
Soon, buckets of steaming cold, icy water were brought in.
I pointed at the water, my gaze on Leo Sinclair.
You. Pour all ten buckets over yourself, from head to toe. When youre done, this is over.
What?! Leos eyes went wide with disbelief. He turned to Stella, pleading. Stella, I my body cant handle that! The doctor said I cant get cold!
Stella immediately turned to me. Rhys, stop this madness! You know Leos condition. This will kill him!
Did he think about whether it would kill me when he locked me in the morgue?!
Leo looked at the buckets of ice water, trembling, his eyes filling with tears.
Stella took a deep breath, removed her dress uniform jacket, and reached for a bucket.
Fine. If you insist on this, Ill do it for him.
Stella! No! Your stitches havent healed!
Its nothing.
Watching her willingness to go to such lengths for Leo Sinclair, my heart was instantly crushed, pain turning to numbness.
Stella lifted the bucket, looking at me, her eyes warning.
After I do this, I expect you to stop harassing Leo.
I didn't speak. I just watched her, frigid.
Stella raised her arm, about to dump the ice water over her head.
But in that instant, I lunged, grabbed the trembling Leo Sinclair beside her, and with all my strength, poured the entire bucket of ice water over his head!
AHHH!
Leo shrieked, soaked instantly, shivering violently.
Stella spun around at the sound. Seeing the sight, her face turned to fury. Rhys Beaumont! What did you do?!
I looked at her, my expression cold and resolute.
He seems to enjoy the icy atmosphere of the morgue. I was just being kind and letting him experience it again.
A flash of pure, burning anger ignited in Stellas eyes. But she had no time to scold me. She immediately grabbed her uniform jacket and wrapped Leo in it.
But in her frantic rush, her elbow struck my unhealed wound with brutal force.
I was caught off guard, stumbling backward. Thud! My forehead slammed into the sharp corner of the nearby coffee table.
Excruciating pain shot through me. Warm liquid immediately flooded my face, staining the white tile floor crimson.
My vision swam. I looked up to see Stella anxiously wiping Leos face, holding him carefully in her arms to warm him, never once glancing at me, the man bleeding out on the floor...
I bit back a cry, covering the gushing wound with my hand, forcing myself to stand despite the pain and dizziness. Step by step, I turned and walked out.
Later, I received nine stitches in the ER.
The nurse bandaged me up, sighing. How did you get so badly injured? Where is Major General Kincaid?
I closed my eyes and didn't answer.
During my hospital stay, I could still overhear the nurses whispering about how Stella Kincaid was tirelessly caring for the feverish Leo Sinclair.
I listened, my heart a barren landscape. I couldn't even feel the sting of sadness anymore.
Before my stitches were even removed, I checked myself out.
As I walked out of the hospital, I got a call from my mother, Eleanor Beaumont.
The divorce papers have been approved.
Im releasing the official divorce statement online tomorrow. When thats done, I will deliver the Novagen to Stella Kincaid.
She paused, her tone laced with a final warning.
Once you have the signed papers, you will disappear and stay gone! Do not come back and cause any more trouble for me!
Hearing her cold voice, my numb heart felt no stir.
I spoke into the receiver, my voice icy. Eleanor Beaumont, you are truly sickening.
Without waiting for her reaction, I hung up.
I picked up the luggage I had packed long ago. Without a single moment of lingering, I drove straight to the airport and boarded a flight to a foreign country.
From that day on, Rhys Beaumont was erased from Capitol City.
Meanwhile, Stella Kincaid had cared for Leo Sinclair in the hospital for days without sleep, until an emergency military operation finally demanded her attention.
She hadn't even reached the door to her office when she saw a group of her colleaguesBrigadier Generals, Colonels, even a Joint Chiefall gathered, discussing something with agitated excitement.
A particularly outgoing Colonel saw her and immediately rushed over, his face glowing with anticipation.
Major General Kincaid! Perfect timing! Is it true what the internet says?
Now that you and Rhys Beaumont are done, does that mean the rest of us get to fairly compete for him?
Stella, Mr. Beaumont is gorgeous and his spirit is so bright and wild. There isn't a single person in the city who doesnt secretly adore him. I've been crushing on him forever! I only held back because he was your husband! Now Im finally free!
Exactly! Introduce us! We are all lining up already!
They spoke over one another, their words overflowing with admiration and a fierce determination to win Rhys.
Hearing their excited chatter, Stella felt a tidal wave of never-before-felt, savage rage surge through her, burning her composure to the breaking point.
Introduce him? Compete? Line up?! Do you know what you are saying?! Her voice was bone-chilling, radiating a terrifying authority. Rhys Beaumont is my husband!
They were startled by her sudden, violent fury, looking at each other in confusion.
A close female colleague cautiously showed her a phone screen.
You you dont know? Mr. Beaumonts mother already posted your divorce statement online today
Stella snatched the phone, her eyes locking onto the bold, black letters on the screen.
BREAKING: KINCAID-BEAUMONT POWER ALLIANCE COLLAPSES! Major General Stella Kincaid and Socialite Rhys Beaumont File for Divorce Today.
First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "329833" to read the entire book.
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