The Architect's Exit, Building Bridges in Alaska

My fianc, a high-ranking Colonel, gave my hard-earned advanced training spot to his divorced childhood sweetheart.

Valerie, Lana needs this chance more than you. Be bigger than this! he told me.

To make up for it, he actually filed our marriage registration with his superiors, using it as an excuse to placate me.

This time, I didn't throw a tantrum. I didn't plan on being the Colonel's wife anymore, either.

I turned around and chose a transfer to a place that actually needed me.

"Dean Miller, I want to join the bridge construction project in the Alaskan wilderness."

"Valerie, bridge projects take a long time. You won't be back for at least three to five years..."

"The return date for this support mission is uncertain. Have you discussed this with Colonel Sterling?"

In the Architectural Bureau, Dean Silas Miller looked at me with a momentary flash of joy, followed by deep worry.

The terrain in the Alaskan frontier is harsh and building bridges is extremely difficult. They are desperate for talented architects.

But considering that married staff have families to worry about, the Bureau usually chooses single architects for these missions.

Seeing me volunteer for the project, he was naturally surprised.

I gripped the marriage report I had just taken back and looked at him firmly.

"Contributing to the nation's infrastructure is my mission as an architect!"

"As for my marriage application with Alistair Sterling, I intend to withdraw it."

My words shocked Dean Miller. He looked at me with sympathy.

"Did Colonel Sterling go with you for your check-up today? How is your hand recovering?"

I rubbed the hideous scar on my palm, feeling a surge of bitterness in my heart.

In the past, Alistair always used work as an excuse, saying he had no time to accompany me to the hospital.

It wasn't until today, when I ran into him at the hospital accompanying Lana Foster for a simple cough, that I realized he just didn't want to be with me.

"Thank you for your concern, Dean. My hand has recovered well. It won't interfere with my work."

In the end, Dean Miller didn't say anything more. He just gave me some warm instructions.

"Then prepare yourself well. We depart in three days."

The departure for Alaska was the same day Lana was scheduled to leave for her training in D.C.

Carrying my completed application, I walked out of the office with a heavy heart.

Suddenly, it started pouring rain outside.

Just as I was worrying about how to get home, an umbrella appeared over my head.

A steady male voice reached my ears. "Valerie, I've come to pick you up from work."

It was Alistair Sterling, arriving in his military Jeep.

In the five years we've been together, I rode my bike to work every single day. He never picked me up, even in wind or rain.

He always said that a soldier's family shouldn't use public resources for personal gain.

I didn't expect him to change his tune today and actually come for me.

Seeing my lack of movement, Alistair frowned and urged me impatiently.

"What are you standing there for? Get in the car."

Just as I was about to open the door, a young soldier ran over and saluted.

"Colonel Sterling, Ms. Foster is feeling unwell again. Please come quickly."

It was almost a reflex. As soon as Alistair heard this, he turned to follow the soldier.

But after a step, he paused and looked back at me.

"Go home and cook dinner first. Wait for me. I'll be back soon." Then he strode away.

The rain immediately soaked my face, and a chill seeped into the depths of my heart.

A colleague who had seen everything ran over to share her umbrella with me.

She couldn't help but complain. "Ever since Lana was assigned to the Bureau, she's been calling the Colonel every other day. What is even going on there?"

"Valerie, doesn't it make your skin crawl watching the Colonel care for her like that every day?"

I shook my head with a bitter smile, lowering my eyes to hide the flash of sorrow.

Actually, it did bother me.

But in the past, every time I questioned him, Alistair would just scold me for being unreasonable.

Now, I didn't want to care anymore. I was too tired to fight.

The storm came and went quickly. I rode my bike back at a slow pace.

When I got home, I took a hot shower and made myself a bowl of noodles.

I ate while working on the architectural blueprints I hadn't finished yet.

After a while, there was a noise at the door. Alistair returned, supporting Lana.

"Valerie, Lana caught a chill. Make her a bowl of hot ginger tea to warm her up."

I didn't even look up. I didn't rush over to greet them like I used to.

I responded calmly, "We're out of ginger. I can't make it."

Lana spoke up sweetly, "Alistair, I'm fine. Don't trouble Valerie."

Alistair paused for a moment, perhaps surprised by my cold reaction.

Then his gaze fell on the bowl in front of me. "Then give Lana a bowl of noodles. Extra broth, no onions."

I finished the last bite of my noodles and took my design materials toward the study.

"I'm finished. I have work to do. You can cook for Ms. Foster yourself."

With that, I closed the door to the study, shutting out their stunned expressions.

Half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.

Alistair walked in and handed me a fountain pen.

"Lana said she felt bad for taking my attention today. She's afraid you're angry. This is her apology gift."

I adjusted my glasses, glanced at it, and pushed the pen away.

"I'm not angry. I have no use for this pen. Give it back."

Hearing this, Alistair frowned, his eyes filled with hidden irritation.

"What do you mean? If you don't use it, just keep it. What will Lana think if you return it?"

As he spoke, he snatched the pencil I was using to draw and forcefully uncapped the fountain pen.

The ink suddenly sprayed out, and black stains instantly blurred across my blueprints.

The design I had worked so hard on was ruined in seconds.

"Valerie, I didn't know..." A flash of panic appeared on Alistair's face. He looked helpless.

I blinked slowly, fighting back the tears welling up in my chest.

My voice still betrayed a hint of a tremble.

"These designs are urgent. I'm going back to the office to work late. I won't be back tonight."

I threw on a heavy coat and hurried toward the Bureau.

As the night wind hit me, my thoughts drifted back to the past.

Lana, Alistair, and I grew up together on the same military base.

They were always together. Everyone said they were a perfect match, and I was just the tag-along.

In college, Alistair went to the military academy, while Lana and I studied architecture.

Near graduation, our department had a single slot for a prestigious overseas fellowship.

The professor had originally chosen me. But Lana went to Alistair.

She cried until her eyes were red, acting as if the world was ending.

"Valerie has great grades. She'll have plenty of chances later. But I'm different..."

So Alistair found me. Relying on the fact that I loved him, he wore me down with pleas.

Lana got the slot. I followed my parents' wishes and went to work at the Bureau.

Not long after Lana went abroad, she quickly married a high-ranking official at her company.

When Alistair heard the news, he was depressed for weeks. I was the one who stayed by his side to pull him back up.

Later, my parents passed away in an accident.

With the encouragement of Alistair's parents, we got engaged.

Six months ago, Lana suddenly returned to the country after her divorce.

"Lana's ex-husband broke her heart. We have years of history. We can't just ignore her!"

So, using her overseas experience as a credential, Alistair pulled strings to get her into the Bureau.

She immediately started working with me on the city museum renovation project.

One day, we had an argument over design concepts, and an accident happened on-site.

My right hand was crushed. Because I didn't get timely medical attention, it left a serious permanent injury.

Lana was only slightly startled and completely unhurt.

And because of that injury, Alistair forced me to give my training spot to Lana.

"Lana studied abroad. She can communicate better with international experts."

"Besides, your right hand is half-crippled now. You can't do much. Just stay home and let me take care of you!"

Just like that year when he made me give up the fellowship, he assumed I would cave again.

Unfortunately, this time, the person I chose to give up was him. I chose myself.

The next morning, after pulling an all-nighter, I finally finished the work.

I planned to eat breakfast at the cafeteria, go home to sleep, and then pack for Alaska.

When I got home, I saw Alistair helping Lana move clothes into our living room.

"Lana is going to D.C. for training. She can't take all this stuff, so she said she'd leave some for you."

"Valerie, this is a high-quality imported mug. And this is a sturdy steel-frame umbrella..."

I looked at the items Lana was introducing. They were all her second-hand junk.

Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I shook my head. "I'm not used to these things. Keep them for yourself."

The atmosphere turned awkward instantly.

Lana stood there sheepishly. "Valerie, are you looking down on my things?"

I kept my back to her. "I am. I don't use other people's second-hand things."

"Ms. Foster, if you're actually being kind, then return the valuable items you took from me."

"The color TV I won in the design competition, and the luxury watch the Bureau gave me as a reward..."

In our five years together, I had been considerate of Alistair's finances and used my own money to help him.

Who would have thought his "care for a struggling subordinate" involved spending all his money on Lana?

Now I wanted to be petty. Why should Lana enjoy everything?

As expected, Alistair's face darkened immediately, and he scolded me without hesitation.

"Valerie! How did you become like this? So calculating!"

"We are all good friends with Lana. Is it necessary to be so obsessed with every little item?"

I looked up into Alistair's terrifyingly cold eyes and nodded calmly.

"It is necessary. Because those things belong to me. She needs to give them back!"

Lana's smile froze. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Alistair, don't fight. I'll go back and return everything right now."

With that, she ran out of the house crying.

Alistair chased after her immediately. I didn't have much of my own stuff left.

To avoid more trouble, I packed up and moved into the Bureau's dormitory.

Alaska is freezing, and we'd be doing field surveys. I needed warm clothes.

Just as my colleagues and I were heading to the store to buy supplies, I ran into Alistair at the Bureau entrance.

"What transfer? Where are you going?"

I turned to let my colleagues go ahead. I took a deep breath, ready to confess. "ID"

But before I could explain, Alistair spoke with suppressed rage.

"Valerie, how did you become so vicious?"

"You knew Lana was going for training, so you made up this transfer excuse to make sure no one showed up for her farewell party!"

"You've been spreading rumors about us, causing her to be ostracized. I'm so disappointed in you!"

Hearing his accusations, my heart sank.

Lana's training and my departure were on the same day.

My colleagues wanted to hold a farewell party for me. Compared to Lana, who had only been there for a few months, they obviously chose me.

I looked at him calmly.

"Alistair, I don't have the time or energy to target Lana."

"As for the colleagues, they aren't ostracizing her. Believe what you want."

Alistair looked at my calm expression, seemingly searching for a lie.

Finally, with a hint of guilt, he looked away and grabbed my hand to lead me back.

"It must be a misunderstanding. Come to the office and explain things."

"Bad rumors will affect Lana's work in D.C."

The scar on my palm hurt from his grip. My anger finally exploded.

I looked at Alistair coldly and sneered. "It won't affect anything."

"I've already withdrawn the marriage application. No one will gossip about you two anymore!"