A Soldier’s Fall, A Husband’s Rise From Ruin novel
Just as the security staff were about to look over my ID, she stepped inside and their voices softened. Captain Morales! Youre here too.
She gave a small nod, her eyes landing on me.
He came with me.
I calmly declined and took my pass from my pocket.
Theres no need. I brought my pass.
She glanced at the pass in my hand and stayed silent for a few seconds. Archie Ortiz, after all these years, you still blame me.
I smiled without replying.
My thoughts had already been taken up by the person who was about to get the award; nothing else had room to enter.
When the rehearsal finished, I gathered the clothes I needed to collect on the way home, threw my bag over my shoulder and headed out.
With the early autumn wind kicking up dust, the sand was hitting my eyes by the time I got to the camp shuttle stop.
After I wiped the dust from my eyes, I noticed Charlotte Moraless military-plated SUV waiting in front of me.
Noticing my red eyes, she frowned. Get in. Im giving you a ride.
Theres no need, I planned to take the shuttle.
She stared me from top to bottom and when her eyes stopped on the bag hanging from my shoulder, her tone softened.
How have you been all these years?
Pretty good.
Charlotte clearly didnt believe me.
Get in, Im giving you a ride.
The shuttle bus behind us kept honking, yet she still didnt move.
With everyone staring at us, I had no choice but to open the door.
Odette Villa Compound, I told the address.
Everything paused for a second and the womans voice became tight.
Why are you still living there? That place has been on the demolition list for years and you stay there alone and
She stopped. But I already knew what she meant.
That was the place where my mother lost her life.
Ten years ago today, she refused to attend my wedding with Charlotte.
I jumped from the tenth floor.
Even though the back seat had some space, the heat was too much, so I lowered the window.
Youll catch a cold if you sit in the wind, close it. If you feel warm, Ill turn it down.
Smiling, I shook my head.
I havent done that in a long time, do whatever you want.
The car stayed quiet until her phone rang.
Honey, is rehearsal done? Are you heading back?
The voice coming through the speakers was familiar, but it sounded deeper than before.
Im on my way. I met Archie and gave him a ride.
On the other end, it went quiet for a while.
Archie came back? Its been ages! Why didnt you tell me? We should get everyone together.
I had known Alexander Johnson for more than ten years and I had never heard him talk like this.
He used to speak little, always buried in tactical drawings.
When someone with connections took his spot in the competition, he only wiped his tears in secret.
It was I who smashed that persons sand table in front of the whole unit, wrote a full report and sent it up the command chain to help him reclaim his place.
I later learned that people who received support really did look brighter.
It was just running into him. He had something to do, so I dropped him off and came back.
Running into each other was luck. What was wrong with inviting an old teammate to eat?
Alexander, enough.
The other end of the call went silent.
Charlotte always spoke softly when she wanted someone to listen, but once she settled on something, no one could sway her.
Alexander should have understood this more than I did.
The call ended suddenly, right as the car stopped at the family apartment building.
Thanks.
I stepped out of the car, but she still called after me.
Archie, who was the dress you picked up today meant for?
My wife.
Letting out a small snort and a weak smile, Charlotte seemed to think I was still acting stubborn toward her.
The same outfit that you used to get these ready for me five years ago, too.
So?
Calmly, I met her eyes and didnt look away.
Dont act strong in front of me. All these years, I only hoped you could live well, not like this.
Like what?
In the glass of the car window, my own reflection appeared.
A simple training outfit, heavy boots and a small bag packed with groceries.
I looked like a regular family member barely managing her daily costs.
However, compared to the past, when I had to keep myself perfect every day, this was not so bad.
Not annoyed, I smiled.
I thought it was okay.
For a moment, her expression shifted slightly. Archie, you really were different from before.
Yes, many people told me that.
After saying that, I went upstairs, never turning back.
I pushed open the door to my fifth-floor apartment. The room looked the same as it had the year before.
Next to the old TV sat a picture of my mother in her military uniform; the candle in front of it had long gone out.
I lit three sticks quickly, tied my apron and stepped into the kitchen.
Three dishes and one soup were placed on the table in a short time. Across from me sat a bowl of untouched rice.
Slowly, I ate.
Mom, today I ran into Charlotte.
Dont get angry yet. Your son couldnt be pushed around by her. And I wasnt as stupid as before.
Only the loud wind outside the window answered me.
With no desire to eat, I put down my utensils and walked into my room, taking out an old photo album.
Look how tough you were back then. Staring at pictures all the time really was dull.
Before I even opened the album, a picture slid to the floor.
I bent down to pick it up. The picture showed Charlotte, Alexander and me.
Three young faces smiled brightly at the camera.
I had dragged the two of them to stand in the center, smiling the biggest, my right cheek still holding the marks from training.
That was the summer when I was thirteen.
Debt collectors came to the house of the Morales family to cause trouble.
The neighbors shut their doors and windows and even my parents didnt dare get involved. But I moved forward.
The stick that should have struck Charlotte instead landed straight on my face.
My cheekbone was crushed and I spent the entire summer healing.
Heartbroken, my mother ordered me to stop seeing the Morales family.
Until Grace Morales, dragging her injured leg, knelt at our door and thanked us over and over.
She softened.
For the next ten years, our dinner table always had a pair of utensils and a bowl set aside for Charlotte and she always got a share of new clothes during holidays.
When she wasnt busy, she helped Grace run the small store and when someone came making trouble, she could shout at them so coldly that they didnt dare come back.
They called each other sisters.
But no one imagined that the younger sister who once tripped over her words would end up in the bed of her older sisters husband.
When I returned home, everything inside had been smashed apart.
My mother stood in the center of the ruins, crying hard, with clear handprints on her face, while my father stood in front of Grace behind him.
Lets end the marriage. You can take everything, I only want Grace.
Beside me stood Charlotte, who hurried to pull Grace away, but my mother slapped her twice.
I pushed her aside, watching her fall to the floor, staring at me in disbelief.
In that moment, tears were falling then, but I still said the most painful words.
Mom, why did you slap Charlotte?
All those mixed memories stay stuck in this tiny photo.
After I divorced Charlotte, I burned everything tied to her, but one photo still slipped through.
Just as I was about to toss the photo into the trash can, a knock sounded at the door.
Thinking it was Caroline, the neighbor who always brought apple pie around this time, I opened the door.
But I saw Alexander holding Charlottes hand.
He laughed loudly. Archie, long time no see! After all these years, you havent changed at all.
Charlotte couldnt turn me down, so her sudden visit didnt bother you, right?
I quietly looked at the two of them.
I didnt ask you in. What did you want?
Faced with my short response, Alexander looked a bit uneasy as he glanced at Charlotte beside him.
Alexander wanted to check on you. He brought a gift, no bad thoughts.
Charlotte set the gift box at the doorway.
Alexander quickly explained, This razor worked well for me and I thought you might need one too. Back then, we shared things like this a lot.
I lowered my eyes to look at it; it seemed to be the same kind the guard used.
That picture
Alexanders eyes grew wet, his voice rough. Archie, after all these years, you still havent moved on.
I crushed the photo into a ball and tossed it into the trash can. Youre overthinking it.
He lifted his hand as if he wanted to set it on my shoulder, then stopped halfway.
I get that youre holding something in your heart. If you were still together, today would be your wedding anniversary.
What happened back then wasnt my choice. If you really let it go, let us take you out for a meal. If you had any difficult moments in life, just say it; were old comrades.
I was about to refuse him right away. Suddenly, the altar candle sparked.
I gave a small smile and changed my answer. Alright.
Alexander became much more chatty and his little gestures kept coming.
While talking about their trip to Spain last month, he picked up lip balm and touched it to her lips while waiting at a red light.
Every winter, I had to remind you, why did you never learn?
Charlotte grabbed his hand, somewhat upset. Stop that.
Oh, honey, I forgot Archie was here. Archie, you wouldnt mind, right? Charlotte and I were always like this
I interrupted Alexander.
Of course not.
Ive watched you two rolling around in bed back then; this is nothing.
The car turned quiet. It finally stayed still.
As I looked out at the road, I thought that if my mother had still been alive, she would have been shocked by all the changes.
Back then, my father insisted on divorcing my mom for Grace, nearly driving her out of her mind.
And my hidden marriage to Charlotte completely crushed her.
At the start, I only hated my father and Grace.
Their betrayal was what turned my mother from a clear and neat woman soldier into a doubtful and resentful woman.
Time slowly wore down her strength.
Later, I hated myself.
After arranging my mothers funeral, I went alone to the border unit during what should have been my honeymoon, staying there for a month.
At that time, I didnt hate Charlotte.
She was like a pearl lost in dust, a female soldier who had suffered yet stayed strong.
Before leaving, I asked Alexander to look out for her.
In our newlywed place, he cared for her well, cooking four dishes and a soup that were neat and delicious.
I truly felt grateful to him.
That year, the three of us grew even closer.
Charlotte treated me kinder and kinder.
With the money from my first merit reward, she spent everything to get me the tactical watch I liked.
On my birthday, she lit fireworks across the whole city to celebrate.
Each time we came back from field training, she would cancel all her schedules to stay with me.
I never doubted anything. She cared about me deeply.
Until one day, by chance, I went to her office by myself.
From behind the half-open break room door, I heard close noises.
I pushed the door wide.
Two naked bodies hit my eyes like sharp knives.
I cried out without control.
Her reaction was fast. Who let you in!
Get out!
I grabbed whatever I could reach and threw it at her like someone who had lost their mind.
Charlottes forehead was bleeding, yet she still tried hard to cover the man beside her.
I broke everything I could reach in the room. But I still did not dare step toward them.
They were the two people I had cared for most in my life.
Fear tightened in my chest and my teeth shook. Alexander, look at me.
He, with red eyes, tried to kneel toward me from under the blanket.
Archie, I was wrong.
Charlotte and I should not have done this, but we truly love each other.
Please, please, grant us your blessing.
His small, pressured look was almost the same as back then, when he was surrounded by thugs on the training ground.
Back then, to help him, I, as an outstanding trainee, had taken my first punishment.
Charlotte and I had given him our wedding bouquet in person, wishing him happiness.
Now he was in my wifes bed, asking me to give them my blessing.
Tears dropped down my face and my voice shook. When did it start?
His lips trembled, unable to say a word.
She answered instead. Does it matter? Havent you made enough trouble? This was a military camp, not your home.
Isnt it important?! Charlotte! Isnt it important?!
I shouted until my throat hurt, my eyes burning red.
She quickly pulled on her coat, her eyes calm. Fine! Ill tell you!
Last March, when you pushed to go to the border post, that was when we started.
I didnt hide it on purpose, but you had just lost your mother and I didnt want to hurt you again, so I kept quiet and let this marriage stay as it was.
Alexander had already given too much; I couldnt watch him break again. I planned to divorce you after your mothers death anniversary.
Since you know now, we might as well say everything.
Lets get a divorce. Say what you want. I only wanted Alexander.
At that moment, I finally understood.
Back then, when I chose Charlottes side and pushed my mother away, how painful had it been for her?
Before I divorced Charlotte, I made a huge mess.
I took photos of them looking messy, printed them into flyers and dropped them into every companys mailbox.
Banners showing their affair were hung all over the headquarters building.
I reported Alexander to the Political Department for wrongdoing.
The forum at the National Military Command University, where he studied, was packed with criticism.
At his graduation ceremony, I had paid someone to show our old photos on a big screen.
The memories I valued ended up turning into weapons, but Charlotte had protected him.
He finished his studies smoothly at the top National Military Command University.
He was even about to open a solo art exhibition.
To clear a path for Alexander, Charlotte finally came to face me.
Alexanders dream was about to happen; dont trouble him.
I was already out of control with anger.
How was it trouble? I was ready to let everyone at the show enjoy your amazing pieces.
A document was tossed at my face.
If you wanted to keep your mothers resting place safe, sign the divorce papers and stay away from me and Alexander from now on.
When my mother was buried, I was crushed. Charlotte handled the whole funeral, including picking and buying the burial plot.
Now she was even moving things in that space in the martyrs cemetery.
I got angry and splashed the coffee on her face.
That night, I cried myself to sleep beside my mothers grave.
The next day, I still went to the Political Department to finish the official paperwork.
The outcome was not what I expected; Charlotte only handed me an old family apartment that was already worn down.
You reported me for breaking rules and now most of my assets have been frozen. This is all I could give you.
If Alexander had not spoken up for you, you would not have gotten a single coin.
I had never been able to win against Charlotte, not even when I was young.
She was calm and careful, never acting on impulse and she knew how to use plans and status to get what she wanted.
Since I was the kind of person who rushed in without thinking, I often attacked in a way that hurt them a lot but hurt me even more.
I stayed quiet, as she wanted.
Before selling the home and being sent to the border post, I still went to Alexanders art show.
It came from a sudden thought.
His good-looking face was shown on a huge screen in the main city square; the show was named Key to the Heart Within.
Those were words we used to write in letters when we were young.
They were the clean hopes of youth. They were the real blessings from my comrades.
With the last bit of my hurting longing, I put on full gear and the moment I walked into the place, I felt like a cornered mouse watching someone else celebrate until I saw Key to the Heart Within.
The picture showed two bodies holding each other.
I had kissed the mole on the womans chest many times.
The man kissed her, the bed behind them covered with light green sheets and outside the window were blooming magnolias.
Those were the kinds I had picked myself at the service counter.
The pink flowers moved in the wind, peaceful and pretty. That was my home.
So that place was also where he and Charlotte had their first intimate moment.
So her heart went to him and the key to her heart went to Charlotte.
Suddenly, I felt a strong sickness in my stomach. I vomited all over the floor.
This startled the two people greeting guests.
A low voice leaned close to my ear, Comrade, were you okay?
The heart badge on his chest shone; it matched the key shape on the womans sleeve pins.
I pulled the badge off and dragged it across the canvas.
The sound of the canvas tearing shocked everyone and people gasped.
In the mess, security pushed me down to the floor.
With my cheek against the cold floor, the woman comforted the upset man while they both looked at me like I was a sewer rat.
Call the police, she said.
I started laughing and the sound kept getting louder.
The crowd stepped back in fear.
Because the amount involved went over ten thousand dollars, I was sentenced to three years in prison, with added payment for material and emotional loss.
I attempted suicide several times in prison, but each time, someone found me in time.
A year later, I was released early for good behavior, with no money.
But I had figured out many things. When the car reached the place, Alexander went to the restroom.
Beside me, Charlotte stood and spoke in a low voice. Im sorry.
We were wrong back then. Ill tell Alexander to act more cautiously from now on.
I raised my eyebrow. She had never bowed her head to me before, but now she apologized without hesitation.
I looked at her, confused.
No need. You two were a couple. I only remembered things when I saw you both. I didnt mean anything else.
Pain showed in Charlottes eyes and her face turned a bit pale.
I didnt understand and I didnt want to think about it.
Thankfully, Alexander returned; he seemed to have forgotten everything that happened in the car.
The three of us used to put our money together for a barbecue, lets enjoy it today.
Charlotte refused. Back then, Archie stayed with us. He had a weak stomach and couldnt eat spicy food. How could you forget?
It is fine, my stomach is okay now.
Years of healing had already brought my body and mind back to their best condition.
My phone suddenly rang.
On the screen, the word Wife stood out clearly.
I answered the call.
Her light tone held a small bit of hurt.
Honey, taking this kid out for filming was far more tiring than leading soldiers. You would definitely say I got thinner when you came back.
From the background came a little boys loud protest. No! Daddy, Mommy had troupe guys asking for her number today and they talked so happily
You troublemaker! Are you trying to trick your mother? Those were reporters!
Hearing the sounds on the other end, I couldnt stop myself from smiling.
When I looked up, a womans interview was showing on the malls big screen; she looked cool in her military uniform.
Beside her, the little one had bright eyes, cute like a New Year picture doll.
After talking for a few more minutes, I ended the call and took a photo of the screen.
Once it was sent, I saw the two people beside me standing frozen.
Archie, you were married? Alexander spoke first, sounding unsure.
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