Chapter 8: Forged in Grief

Thanks to my father. With the country unstable, my father was Midwest General, held military power, now like a regional governor. All knew he loved my mother, kept the house empty, had only me. My father willingly sent me as a political hostage to show loyalty. The White House dared not offend him. Besides, the First Lady now opposed the President; she dared not touch me.

A light slap.

I guessed all the anger would fall on Victoria, so I openly protected her, had her live with me. Such a small matter—the President would not refuse.

So, Victoria and I ate together, slept together. I snuck out every day, seeming to play, but actually went to the biggest library in D.C., soaking in military and historical books. Victoria followed, reading with me. When immersed in the books, her eyes would light up with joy.

The library became our sanctuary, the musty scent of old paper and the hush of study a balm to my nerves. Victoria’s quiet companionship was a comfort I didn’t expect.

Until New Year’s Day, she had to return home. Before leaving, she held my hand, told me not to worry. I really wasn’t worried; her glory was coming, her mother would regret it, and treat her well. Many would love and respect her. I smiled and told her, “Don’t be afraid.”

After a month together, she took care of me like a real assistant, not allowing any mistakes. When I studied late, she always put out my lamp, urging me to sleep early. After snow or in the morning, she’d rush to find a thick coat for me.

Her thoughtfulness was relentless, and despite myself, I grew fond of her gentle scolding. It reminded me of the family I’d lost.

One day, while reading, she suddenly said she wanted a nickname and asked me to choose one for her. I thought, then said, “A true friend’s bond is as light as water. Seeking the form, a thousand miles at a step. When asked where I go, I speak at random. Blossoms fill the branches, the moon is full. Spring flowers fall to the mundane, not as good as brocade.”

She smiled and said it was good.

I could never refuse her gentle firmness; she truly changed many of my bad habits. I told her to be more at ease; she always smiled gently, saying she was already at ease.

Her grace was a shield, her poise a lesson I carried with me long after she left.

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After Victoria left, I kept the same routine, attended some boring banquets, and wrote my father a formal letter. Secretly, I watched the senator’s house.

Sure enough, at the New Year’s ceremony, news from St. Paul’s Church exploded among the elite. Victoria’s mother, as always, took her two daughters to the ceremony. Reverend Anson at the church recognized Victoria as the legitimate daughter and exposed the child-switching.

The scandal rocked D.C., gossip spreading like wildfire through every drawing room and club. The senator’s mansion became a fortress overnight.

That day, Victoria’s mother returned home with a dark face. DNA tests and secret government methods were used; all the midwives were interrogated. Until the birthmark on Victoria’s shoulder was revealed, the mother fainted on the spot.

When she woke, the first thing she did was have the mistress arrested, imprisoned her, and had her charged for fraud. All involved were prosecuted; the mansion wailed for days, the courtrooms full. The senator, knowing his guilt, stayed silent, only intervening to spare Marissa—leaving her alive but scarred, sent to a convent for life.

As the house turned upside down, Victoria’s letter came quietly at night: Jinhua can now serve the President.

I was stunned—so she knew everything. Victoria was always so perceptive.

I had another letter, from my father, telling me to endure and not make trouble. He would find someone to secretly take me away. He didn’t want to take me, just recruit troops—he needed money and food. He thought the Brooks family fortune was with my mother, but she hadn’t passed it on before dying; now he realized the fortune was with the daughter he cast out.

Turning the black onyx beads on my wrist—father, inviting devils is easy, sending them away is hard. Since you want to act the loving couple, I’ll help you make it true inside and out.