Chapter 2 Bringing The Ashes Home
Whoosh!
Two rows of soldiers marched out in perfect unison, taking their positions at the entrance of the camp. Raising their right hands, they saluted toward Quinn.
Then, Quinn saw Dominic Zahn, an old commander dressed in his military uniform, personally carrying an urn as he approached her.
Atop the cremation urn was the national flag.When she looked at it, her eyes stung.
The flag embodied her parents‘ steadfast conviction!
Back then, when her parents accepted their mission from the government to join the Peacekeeping Forces Jabroad, they were already prepared for the possibility of making the ultimate sacrifice.
“The remains of your parents were found intertwined, so they were cremated together overseas. Their ashes are all contained here,” Dominic conveyed with a hint of regret.
“It’s better this way.” Quinn gazed at the urn under the national flag. “Mom and Dad loved each other deeply. They would have wanted to be together even in death.”
Dominic nodded, suddenly standing up straight. He handed the urn to Quinn. “The spirit of fallen heroes will never fade!”
The soldiers standing behind Dominic echoed in unison, “The spirits of fallen heroes will never fade!” Their deafening shout pierced through the clouds!
Tears welled up in Quinn’s eyes. She held her back straight and, once again, she gave a solemn salute to Dominic and the soldiers.
“I, Quinn Bridger, hereby welcome my parents home!” She took the urn from Dominic.
AFP F
Though it was heavy, it inexplicably provided her with a sense of peace.
Three years ago, her parents died in a foreign land. At last, she could bring them home!
After handling the matter of the ashes, Dominic finally noticed that she came alone. “Where’s your husband? He didn’t come with you?” Dominic was aware of Quinn’s marriage. With a faintly lowered gaze, Quinn softly said, “Mhm. He’s busy, so he didn’t come.”
Dominic had watched Quinn grow up. She was once a child full of energy and ambition, but three marriage, her face was etched with fatigue.
years after
If you ever run into any trouble, just let me know. I should be able to help,” Dominic said, patting Quinn’s shoulder.
“Thank you, Mr. Zahn!” said Quinn.
“Also, if things don’t go as planned out there, you can always come back. The doors of the barracks will forever be open to you!” Dominic added.
+5 Free Coins
Chapter 2 Bringing The Ashes Home
Quinn nodded. After bidding farewell to Dominic, she returned to the car, cradling her parents‘ urn.
With utmost care, she placed the urn on the passenger seat and started the car. “Dad, Mom, I’m taking you guys home!”
When she returned to the mansion, Quinn could hear the voice of her mother–in–law emanating from the living room. “Now that Sidonie is back, and she’s even a female pilot, you should hurry up and divorce Quinn and marry Sidonie instead.”
“We’re just friends, Sidonie and I,” came the deep voice of Trent.
“What friend? Everyone knows you like Sidonie. She has a good education, a great job, and she’s Nimbus Air’s first female pilot. Quinn has nothing. She’s unworthy of you!” exclaimed Jacinda Grafton, Trent’s younger sister.
A chill ran through Quinn’s heart. She had been married for three years, supporting Trent’s business ventures. She had worked late into the night, pushing herself to the limit for the sake of the company. There were even instances where she had gone to work with an IV drip attached to her. Yet, all her efforts were now met with a dismissive “Unworthy.”
Just then, Jacinda suddenly spotted Quinn. “Quinn, you really have no shame, eavesdropping like that!”
Quinn stepped forward. “I wasn’t hiding, so how could I have eavesdropped?”
“It’s good that you heard me. If you know what’s good for you, you should’ve divorced my brother sooner. Don’t hold him back from being with Sidonie.” Jacinda’s tone was as dismissive as ever.
“Enough, Jacinda!” Trent warned sternly.
Jacinda was not one to back down. “I’m not wrong. Quinn has nothing. She just took advantage of the fact that Sidonie was away from you, which is why you ended up marrying her!”
Trent frowned. “Jacinda, are you done talking?”
Jacinda pursed her lips, not daring to say anything more.
Penelope Hayes stepped forward, comforting her daughter.
Trent furrowed his brows, walking up to Quinn. His gaze fell on the urn adorned with the national flag that she held in her hands. “This is…”
“It’s my parents‘ ashes,” Quinn said. “I’ve brought them home.”
A flicker of regret flashed in Trent’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I was supposed to accompany you today, but Sidonie’s mother sprained her ankle, so—”
Before Trent could finish his sentence, he was abruptly interrupted by a sharp voice.
“What, ashes?” Penelope glared intensely at Quinn. “How could you bring such an unlucky thing back home?” Unlucky? Quinn looked at Penelope in disbelief. “These are my parents‘ ashes. They aren’t unlucky!” They were valiant heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country, deserving of the utmost respect!
No matter whose ashes they are, they bring bad luck!” Penelope said irritably, “Get out immediately. Don’t allow this thing to enter this building!”
Quinn held the urn tightly in her hands. “I’m not leaving. This is my home, a place Lhew
128 PM J
Chapter 2 Bringing The Ashes Home
we got married!”
+5 Free Coins
“What do you mean you bought it with Trent? He paid for it,” Jacinda said. Then, she called out to Trent, “Trent, Mom just had eye surgery. The doctor said she shouldn’t get agitated. Quickly, send Quinn away!”
A flicker of hesitation flashed through Trent’s eyes, but in the end, he said, “You should leave for now and find a place to keep the ashes.”
Quinn could only feel her heart steadily sinking. How could he say such a thing?
“Do you also think my parents‘ ashes bring bad luck? Can’t we temporarily keep them at home?” She stared intently at him, demanding an answer.
Trent didn’t utter a word, but his silence spoke volumes.
“What if I don’t want to?” she said. “Trent, in the three years we’ve been married, I’ve never wronged you or your family! When you started your business, I was there by your side, sharing the hardships of entrepreneurship with you. When your mother was diagnosed with cataracts, many doctors said her eyesight couldn’t be saved. It was I who accompanied your mother, visiting every hospital in Jexburgh, leveraging all the connections I could, to secure an appointment with the best ophthalmologist in the city. That’s how we managed to save her eyesight! I’ve always treated you all as family, but have you ever shown respect to mine?”
Her words caused the expressions of the Grafton family members to turn sour.
Jacinda said indignantly, “What do you mean you helped my mom? It was only because Trent is rich that the best ophthalmologist in Jexburgh was willing to meet her! Also, what’s that about you helping Trent with his business? It’s just that Trent was supporting you, that’s all. His company went public because of his own abilities, not because of you. Don’t make it sound like it was all your doing!”
Quinn simply looked at Trent. “We’ve been married for three years. Is it really not okay for me to keep my parents‘ ashes at home for a few days?”
Trent frowned. “Quinn, stop messing around.”
“What if I refuse?” Quinn stepped forward.
In a fit of rage, Penelope stormed up to Quinn, raising her hand swiftly to slap the latter. “As long as I’m here, don’t you dare think about putting any ashes here!”
Stumbling slightly, Quinn endured the slap to her face.
As Quinn was still struggling to steady herself, Penelope seized the opportunity. She forcefully pushed the urn in Quinn’s hands, and it almost slipped out…
