Dear Soldier, Put Your Gun Down

Benjamin's eyes glistened with tears. Winona's answer drove a dagger through his heart. Had she slapped him a few times, or yelled at him, he might have felt better.

All this time, he wanted to ask her if she had ever loved him, but when the time came, he simply said, "Sorry."

Winona smiled lightly. "I know it wasn't your fault. As the head of the Larson family, you can only take on the family's interest as your own responsibility. Even if they asked you to marry Aileen, you won't hesitate."

The Larson's family was a shell of its former self; it needed the Winston family's assistance to stay relevant, to maintain their political influence.

The understanding and care she displayed embittered him. After all, she was the only person he loved for so many years.

The night wind billowed, messing up her hair. He yearned to gather it up, to help tie her hair back like before, however instead of doing so he patted her shoulder weakly.

"Winona, only you would know me that well."

She smiled. Strangely enough, despite his broken promise, she felt no anger towards him, no strong emotions such as love or hate. Only gratitude. She wondered whether she had any feelings at all. "Benjamin, thank you for your kindness over the years. Both Aileen and I will not forget it."

He swallowed the bitterness inside him and smiled, "Enough of that, Winona, or you'll make me feel worse."

The two fell silent.

After what seemed like an eternity, he turned and looked at her. "Winona, can I hug you?"

Winona was silent for a long moment before she finally nodded.

Gathering her into a tight embrace, he said, "I can't protect you anymore in the future. Remember to take care of yourself. Matt Snider is a complicated man, he's sure to have plans for you when he chose you to marry."

At this moment, someone at the corner of the rooftop secretly took a photo with a mobile phone.

Benjamin reluctantly let go of her. He knew that sometimes when one let go of something, they lose it for eternity - this was one of them. Thinking about her engagement to Matt, Winona still had not figured out his purpose in doing so, however she decided to take a gamble.

"Putting aside whatever secret plans he's cooking up, as long as he treats me well, I'm fine with it."

Winona was smart. She merely wanted to live comfortably without caring too much. More to the point, she felt that in terms of wealth, power and influence, she held no value even as a bargaining chip. Something flashed in Benjamin's eyes. Even towards her, the love of his life, he could not bear to mention the truth, the one terrible secret that struck at the heart of both families' woes. "Then I wish you happiness."

He absentmindedly glanced at the starry sky far in the distance. When he noticed the faint light on the opposite side of the rooftop, he immediately realized something and said in a panic, "Careful!" Acting instinctively, Benjamin grabbed Winona and rolled to the ground. With a bang, bullet holes the size of small coins peppered the skylight above.

Now filled with tension, they gasped for breath. Someone cried out, "Benjamin Larson, what in the blazes did you do?"

Matt, with Herman in tow, sprinted into view and stopped in front of the duo. Whipping out his pistol, he pointed it squarely at Benjamin's forehead. Winona quickly got up and looked at him. "Matt, someone just tried to kill us."

Lacking the energy to explain anything to Matt, she merely pointed to the bullet holes in the skylight.

Matt put away his pistol. Glaring at Benjamin, he whispered a few words to Herman, who promptly glanced at the direction of the assailant and took off.

The general turned and, grabbing hold of Winona's hand, proceeded to drag her downstairs without comment.

Benjamin looked on. He wanted to say something, but refrained from doing so upon seeing Winona shaking her head. It was clear to him that doing so would put her in even more jeopardy.

Matt dragged her to the elevator. Pinning her hands above her head, he positioned his face very close to hers, the expression on it cold and stony. He jabbed at her as he spoke, "Winona, let me be clear, I don't care what kind of history you two have. But you're now my wife. If you want to cheat, that'll be the last thing you do."

Speaking through gritted teeth, he pulled out his pistol again and pressed it against her forehead.

Winona raised her eyebrows at him. Up close, she could see the veins on his head throbbing, his anger palpable. It seemed that in front of her, the man was always prone to anger easily.

She leaned forward, tiptoed and gently kissed him on the chin. "Don't worry. I'm not in the habit of cheating on people, unless you're into that kind of thing?"

The moment her lips touched him, all his hostility vanished.

The elevator was about to reach the first floor, where the banquet was being held, so he relaxed his hold on her hands, and instead swopped her into a princess carry.

"Just you wait until we get back." he gritted his teeth as he said.

When the elevator doors opened, everyone on the first floor was greeted with the sight of General Snider carrying Winona in his arms as he strode out.

The crowd collectively drew their breath and thought as one - Damn, the general is so cool.

"Who knew that General Snider had such a soft side."

"Must be so lucky being his wife."

Observing from the second floor, Sharon furiously smashed the wine glass in his hand.

"The nerve of that child! As if a bastard child deserves all that happiness!"

Elizabeth quickly reached out and covered her mouth. "Quiet! If word of this gets out, it's all over for the Winston family."

Gritting her teeth, Sharon said, "But mom, by right I'm the eldest. The engagement with Benjamin should be mine. Why should I play second fiddle to everything, while she gets all the attention? It's so frustrating!"

Elizabeth laughed sinisterly. "Let the poor girl enjoy the moment. When Matt knows the truth about her, you think he'll still want her? Let her be, she's not going anywhere. We can take our time with her, let's just focus on your baby for now."

Sharon stroked her belly in silent agreement, as a sly smile slowly creeped onto her face.

At the same time, Matt carried Winona to the car. Glancing at the backseat, he spied a stack of photos and took a look. When he recognized the man and woman in the photos, his face turned black with uncontrolled fury and threw them at her face.

"You better give me a good explanation, or you won't live to see the day!"

He snapped at Herman, "Get out of the car instantly! Ten meters away!" Herman threw Winona a pitying look and promptly exited the car.000000