Our Fated Love

Until traces of my girlfriend's brother’s fingerprints were found on my sister's body. Stella and I completely lost it. I broke her brother, destroying his life bit by bit; She, on the day of my sister’s funeral, rented out every billboard in the city center, broadcasting my sister’s most intimate secrets. We saw red, consumed by a hatred so furious, so incandescent. The warmth we once shared transformed into the sharpest blades, tearing at each other until we bled profusely. Eventually, the military stepped in, sending one of us to a distant post and keeping the other stateside. When we met again, Stella was a decorated Major General, renowned for her valor. And I was terminally ill, with less than three months left to live. … After picking up my medication from the hospital, I returned to the flower shop I owned, directly across from the military base. The moment I stepped inside, the electronic screen opposite was broadcasting news of Stella’s return to the capital. The former "Rose of the Northern Command," now the youngest female Major General in the Army, was back from her overseas deployment. Naturally, it was a major story, eagerly covered by all media outlets. I averted my gaze and placed the freshly delivered white daisies before my sister’s framed portrait. The door suddenly burst open, and a young man in military uniform rushed in, clutching a large bouquet of dazzling red roses. He looked fresh-faced, but his voice was crisp and clear. Pointing to the imported 'Snow Mountain' roses in the refrigerated display, he declared, “These, I want all of them!” Trailing behind him was Stella’s adjutant, Captain Sarah Chen. Seeing me, her steps halted abruptly, her expression becoming extremely awkward: “Liam, maybe we should try another shop?” The young man immediately refused: “No way!” “I sent Stella a preserved flower box from this shop before, and she said it was very special. Tonight is her promotion ceremony, and I absolutely have to make it grand.” He blinked his clear eyes at me: “Sir, my fiancée just got promoted to Major General, and she absolutely loves the flowers from your shop. Could I borrow your space to hold a small celebration for her?” I couldn’t refuse, only nodding. “Sir, could you add more Eustomas?” he softly added. I acknowledged him, my hands trembling as I arranged the bouquet. It wasn't fear, nor nostalgia. It was my illness, flaring up again. The kind that had no cure. “Sarah, quickly help me! Stella will be here any minute, and I want her to be happy.” Sarah stood rooted to the spot. She knew better than anyone that Stella was never happy to see me. In the news footage, Stella smiled appropriately for the camera, but there was no warmth in her eyes. “He must be watching the news too, right?” The camera zoomed in, making the scar above her eyebrow particularly clear. “I’m really looking forward to… this reunion.” That was a mark I’d left with my combat knife. No particular reason, just a bad mood, and I lashed out at her. And the hideous bullet hole below my collarbone was a gift from her, a deliberate raising of her aim during target practice. No reason for that either. We always believed in an eye for an eye, relishing the sight of each other bleeding, half-dead. On TV, the reporter chuckled and pressed on: “Major General Shen, will you be stationed in the capital long-term after this return? And seeing you with roses, are you going to meet someone important?” She paused briefly, her voice low: “My fiancé.” The young man in the shop was meticulously adjusting the placement of the roses and lilies. He looked back at the screen, hearing her words. “Sarah, I heard Stella had a first love in the capital she was entangled with for many years. Do you know about that?” I lowered my head, trimming flower stems. In my peripheral vision, Sarah’s gaze fell upon me. “Stella!” The young man’s light cry broke the stagnant air in the flower shop. He exuberantly ran out, even forgetting his jacket. “Liam.” Outside the door, Stella smiled and stroked his head, draping her military jacket over his shoulders. The boy lowered his head and pressed a rain-kissed kiss on her forehead. Stella seemed to subtly tilt her head, avoiding it slightly. Our gazes, separated by the misted glass window, abruptly met. The young man was about to turn around but was pulled into a deep kiss by her. I averted my eyes, snipping the last ribbon in my hand. Sarah had already walked up to me. She hesitated for a moment, lowering her voice: “Julian, please… she’s being honored today. At least today, don’t embarrass her.” She paused, then added: “This boy just turned twenty. He’s a new recruit, a sniper. His smile… reminds me a little of you when you were young.” I nodded, my fingertips numb with cold. “He’s quite similar. He’s more cheerful than I ever was.” The door was pushed open again, and Stella walked in, holding a folded black long-handled umbrella. “Talking about my fiancé?” Her lips curved into a smile, but her eyes were like frozen blades, fixed on me. Sarah held her breath, staring at me. She was waiting, waiting to see if I would lose control like before. But I merely handed over the prepared bouquet: “Your custom-made ‘Wish’ bouquet, please check it.” Liam propped his chin in his hands, gazing at Stella with adoration: “Stella, smell it. Isn’t it your favorite champagne rose?” Stella’s fingertips brushed over the petals, her thumb stroking the ribbon, as she leaned in to sniff gently. “Too fragrant, cloyingly sweet. Not really my style.” Her voice rose at the end, her eyes curving as she teased Liam. Liam suspiciously lowered his head and sniffed: “It’s clearly very elegant! You’re just teasing me again!” He didn’t see that the moment he lowered his head, Stella’s gaze remained fixed on me. The next second, the flower shop’s glass door was violently pushed open. “Major General Shen! Congratulations on your promotion!” Several officers in dress uniforms rushed in, smiling, but their smiles froze the moment they saw me. Their gazes followed me, wary and scrutinizing, all turning to Sarah Chen. I carried the prepared tea cups over, and the officers all simultaneously took half a step back—as if they feared I was carrying explosives. In those years, Stella and I had brutalized each other during drills, and I’d certainly “taken care” of them too. But those were just regular confrontations. I hadn’t expected them to have such profound muscle memory. Someone subtly nudged Sarah’s elbow, lowering their voice: “Captain Chen, what’s going on here?” Sarah shrugged, not answering. “Please, have some tea.” I turned to leave. But Liam grabbed my wrist: “Sir, can you take a photo for us?” “No.” I gently brushed his hand away, refusing without hesitation. I had barely turned halfway when a shadow fell over me. I looked up to see a cold-faced Stella, her expression indifferent: “I know, you run a business, everything’s conditional. Name your price. How much will it cost to buy you…” She paused, her tone nasty, as if waiting for my rebuttal. Seeing no reaction from me, she coldly finished her sentence: “…buy you to take our photo.” I looked her up and down, said nothing, and tried to walk around her. The old scar on my forearm was suddenly pressed hard, and I stumbled, falling to my knees. A black card slapped against my face, its edge leaving a bloody scratch. “The money on this card is enough to buy your life.” I forced myself to stand, my eyes fixed on Stella. Liam, smiling, stepped between us, trying to smooth things over: “Stella, don’t be like that…” “I’m sorry, sir. My fiancée must be tired after her drill.” But her epaulets were perfectly aligned, her breathing steady. She was simply looking for trouble with me, just as she had for over a decade. This time, I truly believed that she had been utterly free-spirited these past few years overseas, completely forgetting what kind of person I was—one who always demanded an eye for an eye. I crouched down, picked up the black card, and stood firm before Stella. Those around us let out a scoff. “Major General Shen, this person really hasn’t changed a bit. Stops dead in his tracks at the sight of money!” She confidently offered her phone, seemingly pleased with my sudden “compliance.” I wrapped a rose stem around the black card, then gripped her wrist, pressing it hard into her palm. Until I smelled blood, then I stopped. I casually picked up two cups of tea from the table and splashed them onto her face. “Your mouth stinks. I don’t mind helping you wash it.” As I raised my hand, I also slapped the person who had just spoken: “You pathetic cur, if you can’t use your mouth right, shut it!” It all happened too fast; no one reacted. Only the sound of rain hitting the glass remained. Sarah leaned against the corner, tilting her head back to gulp down a large cup of tea, sighing, “Why did you provoke him?” Liam snapped back to reality, craning his neck to argue with me: “Sir! We were in the wrong first, but what you’re doing is too much!” His face flushed with anger, and he raised his hand as if to strike. “Ah!” The moment he made a move, I grabbed his wrist and swiftly delivered a backhanded slap. Only Liam’s cries of pain echoed in the confined space. Stella wiped the water from her face, her smile chillingly cold, “Hitting me is one thing, but touching my fiancé is where you crossed the line.” She shielded Liam, who was covering his face, behind her: “Shall I have this shop smashed to vent your anger?” Liam bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes, and nodded. Several military personnel instantly flooded in from outside. Flower stands toppled, glass shattered, crystal vases exploded. Cold rain mixed with wind poured in, drenching my white shirt. Stella grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up. “You’re not wrong, but I have to give him an explanation. Think about what compensation you want, write it down, and send it over. I’ll accept it all.” Her gaze was heavy, like she was scrutinizing a prisoner of war. I shook her off, then suddenly coughed, frantically searching through the wreckage. A small pill bottle rolled out, and my eyes lit up. She bent down faster than me, picked up the rolling pill bottle, and stared at it intently. “Six painkiller pills at once? You really have no fear of death.” With that, she casually tossed it into a puddle, then took Liam’s hand and turned to leave. And I knelt by the puddle, retrieving the pill bottle, and swallowed two more. Besides pain relief, this medicine also had a sedative effect. From half a pill initially, to now, eight pills couldn’t suppress it. The medicine was almost gone, and my life was nearly at its end. In three years, my parents had passed away. My illness kept relapsing and never improved, so I retired from the military, using all my savings to buy this flower shop. Now it was destroyed, and I didn't know where to go next. Perhaps the pain once again swept through my limbs and bones; I no longer had the strength to even move. So I simply sat amidst the chaos, letting the night rain drench me. Overnight, news spread through the military compound: “Major General Shen smashed her ex-lover’s flower shop for her new flame.” As the morning light dawned, I prepared to leave. Before I did, facing the widespread wreckage, I slowly bowed three times. Stella appeared behind me without me noticing, pulling me around abruptly. "Just a broken flower shop. Is it worth all this?" I pulled free from her hand, stood steady, then raised my hand and delivered three sharp slaps across her face. "My parents' military honors were kept in the shop. They're gone now." My voice was calm. She curled her red lips into a sneer. "Is that so? Three slaps for your parents' medals of valor. That sounds like a good deal for me." I ignored her, simply staring at the wreckage. She was behind me, saying things designed to wound me. "Julian, I'm talking to you." I acted as if I hadn't heard, walking straight out. She caught up in a few strides, blocking my path. "Don't pretend to be calm with me! Look at yourself now. Your face is as white as paper. What are you trying to prove?" "Just an old injury flaring up, looking a bit tired, that's all." I looked up, forcing a cold smile. "Stella, do you really think you're something that can affect me?" But I knew perfectly well. Her return this time was specifically to make trouble for me. If my body were still as strong as before, I wouldn't mind tangling with her again, letting her taste a bullet through the chest. But now, just standing already drained all my strength. In the military hospital, the smell of disinfectant was overpoweringly acrid. Several military doctors exchanged worried glances over my test results, their expressions grim. "How much of that special medicine I prescribed you last time do you have left?" "It's all gone." "All gone?!" Dr. Lee's voice shot up. "That was a quarter's supply! It's only been a week!" Dr. Lee had been in charge of my injuries for a long time. His hesitant demeanor instantly made me realize my time was probably truly limited. "Do you... have anyone else in your family?" she asked tentatively. "Old Lee, have you forgotten?" My voice was calm. "My dad died in the line of duty, my mom is gone, my sister..." "Anyway, I'm just a useless life." He took off his glasses, rubbing his temples forcefully. "It was quite stable for the past three years, wasn't it? How did it get this bad in just one week..." I looked at the news automatically pushed to my phone screen. A photo of Stella, arm in arm with Liam, attending her promotion ceremony, stood out. The person I thought I no longer cared about could still wound me the deepest. Stella was the most accurate bullet in my life, killing without spilling blood. "Your condition is very grim. After stopping medication, seven days, one month, three months... all are critical periods." "Take this bottle of medicine," he handed me a small pill bottle. "Take three pills when it hurts. Remember, no more than three..." He didn't finish his sentence. I had already twisted open the cap, poured a handful into my mouth, and dry-swallowed them. The number didn't matter, as long as it suppressed this bone-gnawing pain. Seven days or three months, to me, made no difference. After taking the medicine, I squatted in a corner of the hospital corridor, my back pressed against the cold tiles. This was a method I'd figured out myself: freezing myself to hypothermia could also alleviate the pain. Cold sweat drenched my clothes. For ten minutes, I listened to the prayers and cries from outside the operating room next door. Those most fervent wishes, all hinged on the razor's edge of life and death. "Mommy, isn't that the big brother who was in the bed next to ours? Should we go say goodbye to him?" "His illness... it won't get better. Let's not disturb him. Oh, what a poor child. Both his parents died in service, and he's so severely injured himself. I'm afraid in the end... there won't even be anyone to claim his body." The little girl looked up innocently: "But there must be someone in this world who cares about Big Brother, right?" I blinked hard, my blurry eyes focusing on my phone screen. It was a text from Stella.