Abandoned women are famous at the border

"Ava, Sophia will have the same status as you as my wife. Once she marries me, you both need to remember your roles."

Ethan James, Ava Anderson's husband, said this. After a year in the military, he had neutralized threats at the southern border and was now the most sought-after man at court.

This was the man who once promised Ava the world.

Ethan entered their chambers, his posture still rigid, but his eyes showed a flicker of guilt.

He looked at Ava, his voice firm. "Ava, I appealed to the Emperor, using my military merits, to marry Sophia and me."

The night was deep and dark, mirroring Ava's heart.

She stood beneath the high walls of their estate, looking at this familiar yet alien man.

Ava's voice trembled, sharp. "Equal status? Ethan, do you remember your vows? You swore you'd love only me and never take another."

Ethan blushed, avoiding her gaze. "Ava, I know this is hard. But Sophia fought alongside me; we faced death together. She's more than a comrade."

Ava's eyes flashed with sarcasm. "Comrades? You want to marry a comrade? Don't insult me with excuses."

"You know Sophia will be just a concubine."

Ethan's brow furrowed, fists clenching. This wasn't how it was supposed to go. He thought Ava would understand Sophia wasn't just a concubine.

He tried to explain. "Ava, no, Sophia is more than a comrade. We've shared life-altering experiences. I love her, and I have to marry her."

"Ava, we should both move on," Ethan said, each word heavy with unspoken meaning.

Ava wanted to laugh at the absurdity. He vowed to love only her, and now he spoke of moving on. He claimed to love Sophia, yet condemned her to be a concubine. He twisted logic to fit his narrative.

Seeing Ava's silence, Ethan continued. "Sophia marrying into the family isn't about replacing you. It's for the future of the James family. And with my mother so unwell, seeing Sophia might lift her spirits."

Ava's stomach twisted. Ethan's mother was indeed ill, and Ava had tirelessly cared for her, consulted countless physicians, and sacrificed sleep. Yet, Sophia's brief presence would magically cure her?

Ridiculous!

Ethan's eyes pleaded. "Ava, I know this is a lot, but please, for the sake of the James family and my mother, let me be with Sophia."

A steely glint entered Ava's eyes. "I demand to see Sophia. I want to hear it from her."

Ethan refused, his voice flat. "There's no need. Sophia is a general; she wouldn't involve herself in such matters."

Anger surged through Ava. Sophia disdained domesticity, but what about her? She longed to break free from this gilded prison as well.

Ava, too, was from a military family, trained from childhood, a master of the spear. If not for the deaths of her father and brothers on the battlefield, would she have resigned herself to this life?

She took a deep breath, steadying her voice. "I have one request: let me see Sophia."

Without waiting for a response, Ava turned and walked back into their chambers, leaving Ethan alone in the cold night air.