Chapter 2 Ashes and Homecoming

Two rows of soldiers marched out in perfect unison, lining up at the gates of the military camp. They raised their right hands and saluted Chloe. She watched as the senior commander, Allen Jackman, dressed in a full military uniform, approached her, holding a blackwood urn draped with Alverton's national flag. Vibrant colors of the national flag stung Chloe's eyes. To her, they were a symbol of Jenna and Walter's belief and faith. Years ago, Walter and Jenna had accepted the call of duty to join the peacekeeping force abroad, knowing full well that it might cost them their lives. "When your parents' remains were found, they were inseparable, so the authorities cremated them together and placed both of them here," Allen gently explained, his voice carrying a hint of apology. "That's alright," Chloe said as her gaze fixed on the urn with the flag draped over it. "They loved each other so much. I think they would've wanted to be together even in death." Allen nodded solemnly, then straightened and formally presented the urn to her. "Honor to the fallen. May their spirits live forever." As one, the soldiers behind him echoed those words, their voices booming under the sky. "Honor to the fallen! May their spirits live forever!" Tears welled up in Chloe's eyes as she stood straight, saluting Allen and the soldiers with deep respect. "Chloe Quall, here to bring her parents home!" she declared loudly, taking the urn in her arms. It felt heavy in her hands, yet it also brought her a strange sense of peace. After three years, Walter and Jenna, who'd died in a foreign land, were finally home. Only after the handover was complete did Allen notice that Chloe was alone today. He knew she was married. "Where's your husband? Didn't he come with you?" Chloe lowered her eyes and murmured, "He was busy and couldn't make it." Allen sighed. He'd watched her grow up; once bright and spirited, she now seemed tired and worn out after three years of marriage. Patting her shoulder, Allen said, "Come to me if you ever run into trouble. This old man might still be of some use." "Thank you, Mr. Jackman," Chloe replied. "And remember, you can always come back here if life out there gets too tough. The gates of the camp will always be open for you, and this will always be your home." Chloe nodded gratefully. After saying her goodbyes, she carefully carried the urn back into the car. Placing it gently on the passenger seat, she started the engine. "Mom, Dad… Let me take you home." … When Chloe stepped into the villa, a voice drifted from the living room. "Now that Sonya's back—and as a female captain, no less—you should divorce Chloe and marry her." It was Curtis' mother, Helen Foster. "Sonya and I are just friends," Curtis flatly replied. "Just friends? Everyone knows you've always loved Sonya. She's highly educated, has a great career, and is the first female captain at AeroQuest Airlines. Chloe's got nothing and is nowhere near good enough for you!" snapped Joanne Green, Curtis' younger sister. A cold ache spread through Chloe's chest. For three years, she'd supported Curtis in growing his company—working late, pushing through illness, and even going to the office hooked to an IV drip—only to hear that she was "nowhere near good enough". Just then, Joanne spotted her. "You're utterly shameless, Chloe. How dare you eavesdrop on us?" "I wasn't hiding, so how is this eavesdropping?" Chloe shot back as she stepped forward. "Well, you heard me. Do the right thing and divorce Curtis so you won't stand in the way of him and Sonya!" Joanne retorted, her tone dripping with contempt. "Joanne, that's enough!" Curtis berated. But she wouldn't stop. "I'm not wrong, am I? Chloe has nothing, and she only managed to marry you because Sonya was away! She took advantage of the timing, that's all!" Curtis' expression darkened. "Are you done?" She pouted and fell silent as Helen stepped in to comfort her. Curtis frowned and walked over to Chloe. His eyes fell on the blackwood urn in her hands draped in the national flag. "What's this?" "My parents' ashes. I brought them home," Chloe said quietly. A flicker of guilt flashed in his eyes. "I'm sorry I couldn't go with you today. Sonya's mom sprained her ankle, so I had to—" Before he could finish, Helen sharply interrupted him, glaring at Chloe. "What? Ashes? How could you bring something so unlucky into the house?" Unlucky? Chloe stared at Helen in disbelief. "These are my parents' ashes. There's nothing unlucky about them!" Walter and Jenna were heroes who'd died serving Alverton. They deserved to be treated with respect. "I don't care whose ashes they are; they're bad luck!" Helen snapped. "Now get out, and don't you dare bring that thing inside!" Chloe held the urn tighter. "I won't leave. This is my home; Curtis and I bought it together after we got married." "Bought it together? That was Curtis' money!" Joanne shouted before turning to Curtis. "Mom just had eye surgery, and the doctor said she shouldn't get upset. Make Chloe leave!" Curtis hesitated before he finally said, "Maybe you should just leave and keep the ashes somewhere else for now." Chloe's heart sank. How could he say that? "Do you think my parents' ashes are bad luck too? That they don't deserve to rest here, even for just a little while?" Her eyes locked on his as she demanded an answer. Curtis remained quiet, but his silence spoke volumes. "What if I refuse?" Chloe pushed. "Curtis, in all our three years of marriage, I've done nothing but stand by you and your family. I worked right by your side day and night when you first started your business. "When Helen had cataracts and the doctors said her eyes couldn't be saved, I was the one who took her to every hospital in Corvessia. I leveraged every connection I had to get her an appointment with the best ophthalmologist in Corvessia, and that's how her eyes were saved! "I've always treated your family as my own, but have any of you ever respected mine?" Her words left the Greens speechless and uneasy. Joanne barked, "You saved Mom? Curtis is rich, and that's how he could afford the best doctor in Corvessia for Mom! As for helping him with his company, that's just an excuse for you to leech off him! Green Tech went public because of his talent, not you. So stop acting like it was all thanks to you!" Chloe kept her eyes fixed on Curtis. "We've been married for three years now. I'm just asking to keep my parents' ashes here for a few days. Is that too much?" Curtis frowned. "Stop being unreasonable, Chloe." She stepped forward. "What if I insist?" In a fit of rage, Helen rushed up and slapped Chloe hard across the face. "Not while I'm alive! You will not bring those ashes into this house!" Chloe stumbled, her cheek stinging from the blow. Before she could steady herself, Helen violently shoved the urn in her hands. It tipped over, threatening to spill the ashes.