My Army Captain Husband Posed as Another Woman’s Husband—I Jailed Him Chapter 09

My Army Captain Husband Posed as Another Woman’s Husband—I Jailed Him Chapter 09

I took a shot of a stimulant and insisted on attending the hearing.

The chief inspector began reading the evidence.

“Based on the statements of five relevant individuals, physical documents, and input from the subject’s unit clerk, our preliminary investigation has concluded the following.”

“Aiden married Naomi eight years ago. However, for the past five years, he has provided no financial support to his wife, failed to fulfill his duty to raise their child, and cohabited long-term with a third party, forming a de facto marriage with Melody.”

“Under marriage law, this constitutes bigamy.”

“Furthermore, before the investigation team could gather evidence, Aiden attempted to obtain a divorce certificate to evade punishment, illegally detained Naomi, and subjected her to public humiliation, causing her severe physical and psychological harm.”

“Given the seriousness and egregious nature of these violations, our recommended penalty is: dismissal

from military service and ten years of reform through labor.”

The attendees broke into heated discussion.

“Isn’t that too harsh? Aiden has one first-class merit and two second-class merits. It would be a shame to

dismiss him over personal conduct issues. How about demotion and a major demerit instead?”

“Right. Wasn’t he just deceived by Melody?”

“I think the penalty is deserved. No matter what, you don’t abandon and humiliate your lawful wife. That’s a

matter of principle.”

The chief inspector’s authoritative gaze fell on Aiden in the front row. “Do you have anything to say in his

defense?”

Aiden stood up. His eyes swept over me, sitting in a wheelchair.

Our gazes met and then broke apart.

“I disagree with this penalty,” he said.

Murmurs rippled through the room again.

Aiden ignored them and continued, “Five years ago, when Melody had her accident, the doctor said there was

only one treatment. I followed blindly, actually believing it was the best course of action.”

“I’d thought Melody would recover and return to serve the country. I’d hoped to fix my wrongs and wipe away

the stains on my record.”

“I considered the greater good. I considered the nation and the organization. But the one person I left out as

expendable was my own wife. I forgot that Naomi is a living, breathing human being with flesh and blood. And that my son needed my protection too.”

“I took advantage of the fact that Naomi and Enzo loved me and hurt them without restraint. They gave me so much. I can never repay it in this lifetime.”

He saluted the chief inspector at the head of the table. “Reform through labor alone won’t make up for what I’ve done. I request the death penalty.”

The hearing room fell completely silent.

“Aiden, you…” someone started to object.

Aiden raised a hand to stop him. He looked only at my eyes, his voice softening. “Naomi, I’m going to go keep Enzo company. I’m afraid he’ll be scared all alone over there.”

A wave of sorrow rose in my chest.

I managed a smile, bitter and painful.

The longing and guilt for Enzo, the hatred for Aiden along with the last traces of love worn thin, the regret and heartbreak over what we could have been-all of it swirled together, impossible to untangle.

For a fleeting moment, I saw Aiden from our wedding night.

He wore a neat suit, his palms sweating with nerves. He recited his pledge in a stiff, earnest voice.

“I, Aiden, make this vow to my wife, Naomi. Except for matters of principle, I won’t make her angry. I won’t

make her sad. I won’t make her regret marrying me.”

If only he had known then…

If only he had known it would end like this…

The stimulant was wearing off. I couldn’t hold on much longer. I nodded to the chief inspector, who was

waiting for my opinion. “Do as he says.”

After the hearing, I was completely drained. I lay in my hospital bed unconscious for two days.

Fortunately, the investigators who’d learned the full truth sympathized deeply with me. They pulled every available string to cut through red tape and secure the life-saving specialized medication I needed.

Per the doctor’s assessment, I had roughly three more years to live.

I refused to waste my remaining days confined to a hospital bed waiting to die. I craved peace and longed to

see the world.

So I sold the house Aiden left me.

After the divorce was finalized, I took my share of the money, packed a small bag and started traveling.

I planned to soak in all the spring scenery on Enzo’s behalf, then find a lush hillside to serve as my final

resting place.

At Aiden’s own insistence, he was eventually sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve.

If he behaved well, it could be commuted to life in reform through labor.

Melody, just as Aiden said, was sentenced to twenty years.

I didn’t know how Aiden got my address, but I often received letters from him.

[Naomi, my work detail is done for the day. I made you a grasshopper. You taught me how to make them

when we first met.]

[I saved up two months of allowance and bought a coat. Just imagining you in it makes me happy.]

[I miss you terribly, yet I have no right to yearn for you. All I can do is send distant wishes and pray your days

stay peaceful.]

[I can’t repay what I owe you in this life. In the next life…]

I tore up the letters. I told the mail carrier not to bring them anymore.

In the end, I settled in a quiet, picturesque village. When the wind blew, fallen blossoms drifted down like

rain.

I rested peacefully. All the tangled love and hatred felt like a distant memory from another life, and I’d finally found the peace I’d spent so long chasing.

Naomi, you’re finally free.