For the Greater Good

Fiona's voice carried a hint of urgency as she and Phillip walked into the adjacent room.Her increasingly labored breathing mixed with the creaking of the bed frame. Each sound felt like a hammer hitting my heart.I bit my lip hard as my eyes gradually turned red. I did not know how much time had passed, but the next room eventually became quiet."We should be more careful. Don't let Timothy find out."Phillip scoffed. "Relax, he loves you so much. What can he do even if he finds out?"Fiona's voice carried a touch of guilt. "Don't say that... He's a good person. I don't want to hurt him."I closed my eyes and sneered. In their eyes, I was just a fool they could manipulate at will.When Fiona pushed open my room door, her face was still flushed.I pretended to have just woken up. "Fiona? Where were you?""Honey, there's something I want to discuss with you." She sat on the edge of the bed. "You know my sister died suddenly in a car accident. She didn't even leave a child. It'

Early the next morning, my phone kept ringing nonstop. A flood of WhatsApp messages poured in. I tapped on them, and my blood instantly froze.Phillip had posted a photo on his social media. In the photo, he had a bruised face and a swollen nose, but he was smiling proudly with his big hand on Fiona's belly.The caption read: [Last night, I talked to Timothy, and the live-in son-in-law finally got it through his head. He's willing to let his wife have a baby with another man. How magnanimous!]The comment section was instantly in an uproar.[Gosh! Really?][Timothy's letting his wife have a baby with another man?][How pathetic!][A live-in son-in-law is really different. He even lent out his wife!][Hahaha! Lending out his woman to save the whole family? I'm dying of laughter!]My hands began to tremble.The phone rang again. This time, it was a notification from the family's group chat. Phillip had sent the same thing.The messages from relatives came one after another.[

I led five squad members, including Quentin Wimble, straight to Fiona's company.The black military SUV was parked downstairs at the company, catching the attention of passers-by. We were dressed in casual clothes, but our military aura could not be concealed.Entering the hall, the receptionist recognized me at once. "Hey, is that you, Timothy?"She chuckled under her breath. "Mr. Live-In Son-in-Law, how did you find time to come to the company?"The surrounding employees heard the commotion and gathered around."It's him, the loser who lets his wife have children with another man.""Seriously? He looks normal to me.""You didn't see the photos in the group chat? It's him!"The receptionist stopped me smugly. "Mr. Silton, Ms. Geller is very busy right now and has no time to see you.""Move aside," I said coldly.She answered sarcastically, "Oh, don't be so harsh. Although you're Ms. Geller's husband, you're just... a live-in son-in-law, after all."She deliberately emphasiz

Trial began. I sat in the spectators' section in court, watching Fiona and Phillip on the defendant's bench.Fiona had lost a lot of weight, and her face was haggard. She had lost her former radiance.Phillip was even more disheveled. His blond hair was messy, and his eyes were filled with despair.The judge solemnly declared, "Now, the verdict! Defendant Fiona Geller, convicted of tax evasion, money laundering, and bribery, is sentenced to 15 years in prison! Defendant Phillip Stanton, convicted of the same charges, plus the crime of illegally transferring assets, is sentenced to 20 years in prison. He will be deported after serving his sentence!"The gavel struck, and everything was settled.Fiona slumped in her chair, her eyes filled with despair. She turned to look at me with pleading in her eyes. "Timothy... Timothy, help me..."I looked at her expressionlessly and did not give any response. This was the price of betraying a hero.The bailiff stepped forward and put handcuf

After settling my parents' well-being, I returned home. Fiona's figure was nowhere to be seen in the empty house. I sat on the couch, reflecting on the past five years.From an energetic special forces soldier to a live-in son-in-law. From a humiliated loser to a hero returning to the unit. The ups and downs of life made me understand what true value was.Personal gains and losses seemed insignificant compared to the greater cause of the country.Just as I was lost in my thoughts, the phone rang. It was the commanding officer from my unit.The commanding officer's voice was still authoritative. "Skywolf, how are your considerations going? The unit needs you. New situations have arisen on the borders. We need experienced commanders."I took a deep breath and answered without hesitation, "Sir, Skywolf requests to rejoin!""Good! Set off tomorrow!" The officer's voice carried a sense of relief.…The next day, I put on my long-unused military uniform. The medals on my chest gleame