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My husband, Calvin Gallagher, was a company commander in the Third Battalion. His childhood friend, Jennie Frank, had lost her husband and was widowed at a young age. Her late
husband’s family bullied her for being weak, so Calvin took it upon himself to take care of her.
He looked after everything for her, from work to daily life, handling even the smallest details.
This time, he had even left me, injured, just to fetch water for her because her pipes were
broken.
I couldn’t compete with Jennie. She was delicate, with a soft voice, gentle eyes, and a
slender figure. She looked frail as if she couldn’t take care of herself.
And me? I was the complete opposite. I was tall, loud, efficient, and capable of handling
things on my own.
Back then, Calvin’s mother took one look at me and decided I was a good woman to build a
life with.
But now, what good was being practical? I couldn’t even keep my husband.
I turned to glance at the house next door. Jonathan Barnes had been my neighbor growing
- up. He was a year older than me and had become a battalion commander at twenty–six.
But during a mission, his face had been slashed, leaving a scar that made him look
intimidating. Young women were scared of him, so he was still single at his age.
I knocked on his door.
*Jonathan, can you fetch me a bucket of water? I hurt my knee, and it really hurts.”
Jonathan glanced at me and asked, “Where’s Calvin?”
“He went to Jennie’s to fetch water for her.”
“Unbelievable! Rebekah, aren’t you usually quite tough? Can’t even control your own
husband?”
My eyes welled up. “His heart isn’t with me. I can’t control him. Are you going to help me or
just let me die of thirst and hunger?”
Jonathan shook his head in exasperation, walked straight into my yard, grabbed the buckets,
and filled them up in two trips. Then he picked up an axe and started chopping firewood,
I took the opportunity to kill a chicken and started making soup, along with two side dishes.
Calvin, that heartless man, had given all our money and ration tickets to Jennie. Not a single drop of my chicken soup or a bite of my food would be left for him!
When the meal was ready, I limped over to Jonathan’s house, carrying the dishes.
Jonathan frowned. “Did you come to the wrong place?*
“Of course not. Thank you. Besides, I can eat in peace here. Otherwise, all this food would just
end up in that woman’s stomach!*
Jonathan said nothing, silently accepting my presence. He even washed the dishes and
walked me home.
As he stepped out of my house, Calvin finally returned. The two men ran into each other at
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14:53 Tue 11 Mar NO.
end up in that woman’s stomach!”
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Jonathan said nothing, silently accepting my presence. He even washed the dishes and
walked me home.
As he stepped out of my house, Calvin finally returned. The two men ran into each other at
the door.
Jonathan, what are you doing?”
“Helping.”
Jonathan threw out the single word and left without another glance.
I sat in my chair and held out my hand to Calvin. He looked puzzled. “What?”
“Living expenses…*
His face immediately darkened. “I don’t have any left.”
Actually, I knew deep down that things would turn out this way.
You gave it all to Jennie?”
“Calvin, do you not understand our family’s situation? Every month, you send two hundred dollars to your parents and your brother’s family!
“You earn five hundred and fifteen dollars a month. After sending money home, you still had
three hundred and fifteen left. And you gave it all to Jennie? What are we supposed to live on?*
Anger rose in my chest, and my voice got louder. Calvin, embarrassed and annoyed,
snapped back, “She’s a single mother with a child! Life is hard for her! And it’s not like we’re
starving!*
I let out a bitter laugh. I was injured and couldn’t even afford to stay in the hospital, yet he
was worried about her struggling life.
I nodded. “Yeah, her life is tough. So why don’t you take these over to her as well?*
I pointed at the clothes and bedding in the wardrobe.
Calvin waved a hand dismissively. “Jennie wouldn’t be comfortable wearing those. I gave her
money to make new clothes.”
A widow who still had the energy to tailor new clothes, and Calvin still thought she had it
rough.
I realized! couldn’t keep living with a husband like this. I needed a divorce.
He walked out without a backward glance, completely unconcerned about our life together.
I didn’t hesitate either. I went straight to send a telegram. His brother’s family wouldn’t be
getting any more money from me.
On my way back, I ran into Jennie. She was carrying a fabric bundle, her hair neatly combed, while Calvin followed beside her, loaded with shopping bags.
When she saw me, Jennie put on a regretful look. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry! Calvin felt bad that I didn’t have enough clothes, so he bought me all of them!
You don’t mind, do you?”
I smirked and raised my voice. “Of course not! He could empty the whole house, and I
wouldn’t care!”
D
“After all you lost your bushand! Calvin‘
et a kind
དཔལ་
carte esse people suffer!”
14:53 Tue, 11 Mar
“After all, you lost your husband! Calvin’s just a kind man who can’t bear to see people suffer
People in the courtyard overheard and started whispering
“Wow, Rebekah, you’re really generous!”
“Calvin said you were unreasonable, but I think he’s the one being ridiculous!”
“I should go ask my husband when he’s buying me something. Seems like I have it worse
than a widow!”
Jennie’s face turned green with embarrassment. Calvin was furious. “You gossipy women, what nonsense are you spouting?!”
“You did it, and you don’t want people to talk?”
“Your wife is wearing rags, and you’re buying now clothes for Jennie?”
“Yeah! What exactly is your relationship with her?”
Jennie, flustered by their remarks, burst into tears. “How can you all say such things?!”
She turned and ran away, sobbing, while Calvin quickly followed.
I laughed. The neighbors shook their heads and sighed. “Rebekah, don’t take this lightly. That
woman is trouble.”
“She told my husband the other day that her leg hurt. My husband told her to go to the clinic
herself!”
it.”
“Women like that need to be put in their place!”
“I know. Thanks for speaking up for me. Calvin’s just too gullible, and I can’t do anything about
I hobbled away, and the others shook their heads, murmuring in pity.
I had done this so they would all see, I was the one who deserved sympathy. As for Jennie, she wouldn’t have the chance to step on me to climb her way up.
me!”
When I got home, I was surprised to find Jennie there, crying as she leaned against Calvin. “Calvin, I never meant for this to happen. I don’t know why they’re saying such things about
When she saw me, she started sobbing again. “Rebekah, if you don’t like me, just tell me. Why drag Calvin into this?”
I shrugged and leaned against the doorway.
“Jennie, look at you, crying so pitifully. Calvin’s already revolving around you.”
Calvin was furious. “What nonsense are you spouting?”
I had had enough. “Am I wrong?”
“A widow is never short of gossip, yet you insist on running over there like a loyal dog. Our own household is barely getting by, but you don’t care at all. Do you think people are wrong to talk?
And now she has the audacity to come crying at my house? What a shame!”
As I spoke, I grabbed the broom and swung it at her. “You wretched woman! Go to hell!” Calvin shielded Jennie while dodging my attacks. I shouted, “You’re still protecting her? Get out of my house!
at home but vou’re happy to gobble up some rotten filth outside? I’ll
14:53 Tue, 11 Mar
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You won’t eat the food at home, but you’re happy to gobble up some rotten filth outside? I’ll
beat you to death!”
I lashed out at him furiously. Calvin took several blows, and Jennie’s face was also scratched.
Seeing this, Calvin finally lost his patience and shoved me away.
I crashed into the doorframe, the pain so sharp that tears welled up in my eyes.
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Rebekah, your heart is filthy, so you see filth in everything! I’ll deal with you when I get back!”
With that, he wrapped his arm around Jennie and stormed off. I watched their retreating
figures and spat on the ground.
“Shameless pair!”
When I turned around, I found myself staring into a pair of deep, piercing eyes.
I had forgotten that Jonathan was still here.
Jonathan frowned deeply. “Pathetic.”
I sniffled. “Jonathan, it hurts so much.”
“Let me see.”
I tried to get up, but my leg gave out beneath me, and I collapsed.
Jonathan quickly caught me, and my hand landed squarely on his chest. His body instantly
went rigid.
I gave it a little squeeze and felt it was solid.
“Can you stand now?” he asked.
As soon as he let go of me, I felt pain and screamed out loud.
“No, my leg hurts too much. I can’t walk.”
I clung tightly to his neck. His ears turned bright red. He took a deep breath, then, in the next
moment, scooped me up effortlessly.
He carried me in his arms and set me down on a chair. Then, he rolled up my pant leg, revealing a swollen, bruised knee and ankle.
“Do you have any medicine?” he asked.
I shook my head. He immediately picked me up again and carried me to his house. Digging
through a drawer, he pulled out a bottle of medicinal oil and began massaging it into my ankle.
The pain was unbearable. Tears streamed down my face.
“Ah! Gentle! That hurts!”
I cried out involuntarily, making his ears turn even redder.
Only after he had worked out the bruising did he finally let go.
“There. It should hurt less now. Go home,” he said.
I quickly grabbed his sleeve. “You want me to go home just like that? Calvin spent all our
money on Jennie today. There’s nothing left at home. I’ll starve!”
“Wait here,” he said, disappearing into the kitchen. A moment later, he returned with two plates of spaghetti. I took a bite. It was so bland.
“Jonathan, is this how you live?” I asked.
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14:53 Tue, 11 Mar
- MO.
Junutmun, IS HIS HOW you liver ruskeu
He shrugged. “It’s fine for one person. As long as I’m full, it’s good enough.”
“Haven’t you thought about finding a wife?” I asked.
He looked at me. “A wife? Who would want me?”
“I would,” I blurted out.
He frowned. “Rebekah, don’t joke about that.”
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“I’m not joking. Look at me now. What difference does it make whether I have a husband or
not?”
I lowered my head, eyes welling up. “Calvin is so infatuated with that woman that he’s completely lost his mind. Today, he even brought her back to our home. I’m about to be driven mad by him!”
Jonathan studied me. “I’m not like him. Finish eating and go home early. I have things to do.”
With that, he quickly finished his meal and left.
Trying to run? Not so fast! I had seen how red his ears were.
Taking a look around his house, I gathered up his dirty laundry, including his underclothes, washed them thoroughly, and hung them out to dry in the yard.
Then, I left a note: [I didn’t eat for free. I did some work.]
Only then did I lock up and return home.
Back in my room, the more I thought about it, the angrier I became. Jonathan’s flustered expression lingered in my mind. “Looks like I’ll have to train him properly from now on.”
Just as I was lost in thought, Calvin stormed back.
“D*mn it all,” I muttered under my breath.
I turned away and went into the guest room.
Seeing me limping, he immediately scowled. “Rebekah, come with me and apologize!”
He grabbed my wrist and tried to drag me outside. The pain was unbearable. I struggled desperately.
“Let go of me! Calvin, you’re hurting me! Let go!” I screamed.
“You’re unbelievable! You and Jennie are tangled up in some shady mess, and now you’re turning it around on me? I’m done with this marriage!”
Enraged, I kicked and punched him.
Calvin held onto me tightly, refusing to let go. “Fine! But first, you apologize!”
“I’ll apologize, and then I’ll divorce you!” I shouted.
“You think anyone else would want you?” he sneered.
“I would.”
Just as he finished speaking, a figure lunged out from the shadows and kicked Calvin away. “What kind of man bullies a woman?”
Before I could react, I was swept up into a strong embrace.
Calvin’s face turned red with rage.
“What the hell are you doing? Let her go!”
