Chapter 25 Your Husband Is the Top Commander?!
Megan knew what Erwina might do if she argued, so she cut Ethan off. “No, of course not. I’d never think that.”
But Erwina kept going. “Meg, you’re adopted, but after all these years, you’re like a real sister to me. So, Dad, how could you let me sit back while she’s doing everything? I’m feeling better now. Staying home doesn’t feel right anymore. How about Meg and I run it as a team there? And once things settle, whoever’s doing
better takes charge. Sound fair?”
Ethan paused and found her pitch convincing.
extr
Derrick smiled, clearly impressed. “Good idea, Wina.”
Elaine didn’t follow all of it, but since her daughter wasn’t
getting sidelined, she let it slide.
Megan, though, felt uneasy about competing with Erwina. She’d
already convinced Ethan to let her take the lead at the branch.
And Erwina had a knack for turning things to her advantage.
Megan didn’t need another “surprise.”
She opened her mouth to remind Ethan, but Erwina beat her to
it, telling the housekeeping robot to turn on the big TV for the
Chapter 25 Your Husband Is the Top Commander?!
breaking news.
The anchor was a striking Werebeast with rabbit ears–one
perked up, the other drooped. She looked adorably cute.
“Breaking news just in: Our great and brave Top Commander of
UEP Gustav has officially removed his mask for the first time.
The reveal ends years of speculation, and his face has stunned
citizens across the galaxy,” she said in an excited voice.
77
Then they cut to street interviews. The few people asked were
giddy. No one had imagined he’d be this handsome.
The whole Schrader family froze when Gustav’s face appeared
on the screen.
Derrick was so stunned that he dropped his fork to the floor. He
turned to Erwina with a complicated look. She kept her head
down, pretending to be focused on her food.
Elaine, oddly, was the calm one. She remembered how shocked
she’d been when she first found out. Watching everyone else
freak out was kind of satisfying.
Megan’s reaction beat everyone else’s.
Her mouth twitched. She gripped her fork like she might snap it.
Chapter 25 Your Husband Is the Top Commander?!
She stared at Erwina, wide–eyed, her usual fake innocence gone. “The guy you married… is he related to the Top Commander?”
she asked, slow and careful.
Megan hadn’t gone to the wedding, but she’d watched the video.
She’d expected chaos, ready to laugh. But somehow, Erwina had
found a stand–in who was even better–looking than Wynfield.
Erwina had regretted rushing into marriage with Gustav. But
seeing Megan’s face now, she felt it was worth it.
She took a sip of lemon water and said casually, “Nope. Not
related.”
Megan let out a breath, convinced it was just a resemblance.
“Must be a coincidence. They kind of look alike,” she remarked,
half smiling.
“Try thinking a little bolder. It’s not ‘looks like! It is him,” Erwina
replied, slow and amused.
Megan was speechless.
The whole table went still. Derrick looked at Erwina, suspicious.
“Mind explaining that?”
She glanced at Megan and said, “Wynfield couldn’t make it–got
Chapter 25 Your
held up, right? Then I met Gustav. It was love at first sight, and
we got married.”
Derrick narrowed his eyes, still suspicious.
But Ethan was convinced. “Wina, why didn’t you tell us earlier? We didn’t treat Gustav properly. Do you think he took offense?”
Erwina kept making things up. “Nah, it’s fine. He had official business and left right after. We’re meeting up later in District
I.”
Ethan nodded. “Alright. I’ll drive you on the first day of term.”
He hadn’t planned on it, but now that his son–in–law was Gustav, it was a different story.
In the end, Derrick decided the whole family would go.
Erwina’s mouth twitched. “Not sure Gus will be free that day. I’ll
check with him.”
Derrick nodded solemnly. “Yeah, good idea. He’s got a lot going
on.”
She agreed, but she was already planning to say later that
Gustav had urgent duties.
Just as she turned to head back to her room, Megan stepped in
front of her.
“You were with Gustav from the beginning, weren’t you? You
never planned to marry Wynfield, right?” Megan asked through
gritted teeth, eyes red.
If that was true, then what was the whole guilt trip for?
Erwina saw the fury in Megan’s face and laughed. “Guess I
should thank you, my dear sister.”
“You’re not afraid I’ll tell Wyn?”
“If I were, would I be saying any of this to you?”
With that, Erwina turned and walked off. Megan stood frozen,
her face darkening.
If Erwina had really loved Wynfield, she’d be in tears right now.
But instead, she spun the chaos into a win.
Gustav’s silence was the only thing that left her unsure.
She figured she’d just play it by ear.
But that wouldn’t be easy. Her starphone buzzed with a call
from Wynfield.
Chapter 25 Your Husband Is the Top Commander?!
This was the second one today. He must’ve seen the news.
She didn’t feel like picking up.
Then came his message: “If you don’t pick up, I’m coming over.”
Erwina had never seen him clingy. She couldn’t help wondering
when that changed.
Finally, she picked up. “What’s the emergency?”
“Is it true? What I just saw on the news,” Wynfield asked.
“What news?”
“About the Top Commander. Was he the one you married that
day?” His voice cracked, full of disbelief and heat.
Wynfield was hit hard and felt betrayed since she was supposed
to be his.
He had thought she’d cool off, divorce whoever she married,
and marry him.
Worst case, they’d talk it out at Empire University.
To him, there was always a way because she loved him too
much to stay away.
Chapter 25 Your Husband Is the Top Commander?!
But marrying Gustav? That possibility never even occurred to
him.
Erwina sneered. “You think you get to yell at me? You ditched me at our wedding. And now I need your permission to move
on? Don’t be ridiculous!”
“You told me you loved me!” Wynfield shot back. “You’re not
gonna forgive me for one mistake?”
