The First Heir

In the midst of a relentless war, smoke and fire filled the air.

Linda Moon had aided him in ascending to the position of a great commander, allowing him to revel in luxury and wealth.

Yet, it was this very man who had caused her to perish in a conflagration, ending her miserable life.

...

Reborn to her youth, she was determined to retaliate.

If rebirth meant struggle, then so be it.

She would tear off the mask of her hypocritical aunt, expose the schemes of her manipulative cousin, and punish the pretentious white lotus.

And most importantly鈥攕tay away from that man.

In the year 1934, Military Hospital.

"Madam, your condition requires immediate treatment abroad. The longer you delay, the more dangerous it becomes..." The doctors face was grave.

Linda Moon nodded, speaking with difficulty: "I understand. Just prescribe me more medicine; Ill take it for a while longer."

"Commander Duval would be concerned if he knew about your health..." The doctor sighed.

Linda immediately interjected: "Dont tell David. He has war matters to attend to."

If he were to learn about her incurable illness, he would likely bring a concubine into the North Command Mansion without delay, she bitterly mused, her heart heavy.

Leaving the hospital, Linda Moon took a rickshaw and returned directly to the North Command Mansion.

As night fell, the first snow began to fall.

After taking her medicine, Linda Moon stared blankly at the snowflakes drifting outside her window.

Ever since she married David Duval, the first snow of each year had fallen on her birthday.

Only this year, Linda Moons heart was desolate as she admired the snow.

The door creaked open, and heavy footsteps approached, bringing with them a biting chill.

Linda shivered involuntarily but froze upon seeing the knee-high military boots.

"David, youre back..." A glimmer of light appeared in Linda Moons dull eyes.

"Your birthday gift for this year," David Duval placed the brocade box on the low table, his expression aloof.

The light in Linda Moons eyes flickered as she carefully opened the box.

Inside was a silk handkerchief embroidered with plum blossoms.

As Linda was about to take out the handkerchief, she suddenly noticed a strand of a womans long hair wrapped in the corner of the handkerchief.

Was David giving her a token from his mistress in another residence as a perfunctory gift?

"Commander, you have a thoughtful heart; this gift is very feminine," Linda Moons face paled slightly, her fingers tightly clutching the quilt on her lap.

David frowned, knowing from years of being together that Linda was in a bad mood.

This woman only called him "Commander" when she was angry.

"I wont send any next year. If you want anything, just take money from the accounts and buy it yourself," David moved his thin lips, took off his military overcoat, and went into the inner room.

Next year, even the pretense of a gift would be gone.

Linda watched his back, murmuring in a voice barely audible, "Im afraid... I wont make it to this time next year..."

She and David had ultimately not withstood the seven-year itch.

As she pondered, her chest began to ache again, making it hard to catch her breath.

Linda took out the date-red handkerchief from her sleeve, tilting her head back slightly while plugging her nostrils.

The motion was practiced and swift.

In a short while, the warm, metallic taste of blood filled her nasal cavity, yet the date-red handkerchief showed no signs of blood.

The doctor had said that the more frequently she bled, the harder her condition would be to treat.

Linda didnt want to go abroad; she couldnt bear to leave David.

She feared that if she left the city, the position of the commanders wife at the North Command Mansion would be taken by someone else.

Although Davids heart was no longer with her, he hadnt forgotten that she was the wife he had brought home in a grand sedan chair when they were young.

What was the point of living longer without his company?

Once the bleeding in her nose stopped, Linda returned to the inner room and lay down next to David, fully clothed.

As usual, she reached out and gently wrapped her arms around his strong waist, burying her head in the crook of his neck.

"David, you havent held me while sleeping for so long..." Lindas voice carried a hint of pleading.

"Next time, Im tired," David moved her hand away and slightly shifted towards the edge of the bed.

A chill spread through Lindas entire body as she looked at the back of his head, her eyes misting over.

It was always the same excuse; how many more "next times" could she wait for?

All she wanted was his embrace...