Yelena puts down the phone and clenched her fist. She waited for 6 long years to know what happened that day! Not even a single day had passed without her imagining what really happened!

She finally saw it with her own eyes today but... it only left her with rage and bitterness!

​​

"Yelena, they will reap what they sow. Don't let anger get the best of yourself." Arias cautiously said to her. As someone who also lost a sibling, he understood her pain very well.

"During my training days, I often went to Ella's house, Deputy Commander," Yelena said, slowly shifting her gaze to Arias. "Lt. Gen. Haric always treat me well and he was the one who always welcomed me with a smile. How could he behave that way even after doing this? Didn't he even feel bad?!"

"Yelena - "

"Without even knowing that he is the one I am after, I used to show him respect as a superior and the father of my best friend. Yet he was the one who took away my everything!" Yelena grunted.

"He will pay for that but... you have to be strong to make that happen. Get ahold of yourself, Yelena. Your brother waited long enough. Don't make him wait anymore." Arias firmly said, leaning a bit towards her.

Yelena took a deep breath and wiped away a tear that rolled down her face. "You're right. I have no time to lose. I have to prepare the evidence to submit to the Army Court." She promptly took her phone and rose from her seat.

She was about to take a step towards the door but... one thing crossed her mind. "How about Ella?" She asked, glancing down at the Colonel.

"Don't worry about her. I know some places where she might go but I don't look for her to give her time. I will go there and try to talk with her. Focus on filing a case." Arias uttered as he rose from his seat.

When he saw Yelena hesitated, he added, "Trust me. I won't give up on her no matter what she says."

Yelena remained quiet, narrowing her eyes at her phone. Then she turned back to the Deputy Commander. "Alright. I will trust you. Even if she blames me, you will be there for her. Then I can be at ease." She turned to the door and left Arias's office.

As soon as Yelena left, Arias takes out his phone and called Ella. However, the phone was still off. When one location crossed his mind, he grabbed his car keys and stormed out of his office right away.

Driving his car all the way to the countryside, it was already evening when he reached a beautiful beach. Near the beach was a vast lodge that many people who visited the beach frequented. The Colonel pulled over his car and glanced around his surroundings.

Though he told Yelena not to worry, he wasn't that confident. If Ella wasn't here, then he couldn't think of anywhere else! Overwhelmed by both anxiety and nervousness, he rushed towards the lodge until...

He saw Ella sitting on the balcony on the lodge. She sat still, her gaze fixated on the ocean. A breeze blew in her face, causing her hair to flow in the air. Her beautiful face was overshadowed by the sadness in her eyes.

Arias finds himself standing still with all his attention on Ella who was a distance away. Ella didn't have much memory of her mother as she was pretty young when the mother passed away. However, this place contained one of a very few memory she had of her mother.

Captain Eleanor would always talk about how she spent a good trip with her mother here when she was young. Even after many years, she would come to this beach when she seeks relief.

With mixed feelings, Arias walked towards Ella and when she was a few steps away, he noticed her turning her head in his direction. Her dimmed eyes were slightly widened when her gaze landed on him. Fearing that she might avoid him, he quickened his pace and ran towards her. In no time, he finds himself standing beside her.

"Ella." He muttered, glancing down at her yet the latter refused to look at him. Her gaze was still fixated on the beautiful ocean presented right before her eyes.

"What are you doing here? You should go back." Eleanor said in a low voice.

Arias bent his knee next to her, trying to match her who was sitting. "Let's return, Ella. I will take you home."

"Home?" Ella muttered and narrowed her eyes. "I can't face my father. I'm not even sure if I have a home now."

"You have me, Ella. I will never leave you." Arias never took his eyes off the woman he loved yet the latter did the opposite, not even sparing him a single glance.

"I listened to that recording yesterday," Ella said in a low voice which made Arias's eyes widened. "Soon, I will be labelled as the daughter of a murderer, the daughter of a traitor to the Army Forces. If you get involved with me, you will get hurt, Arias." She paused, glancing at his uniform and the rank displayed on his shoulders. "You have a promising career, Arias. Don't ruin it because of me or my father."

Arias's face turned anxious. "Don't say that, Ella. If that is a problem between us, I'm willing to give up everything and live just for you. I won't trade you with anything, even the world." He earnestly said.

"I don't want you to suffer because of me. You deserve better, Arias. Just go back and - "

"Please, Ella. Don't push me away anymore. You know that I can't live without you." Arias muttered, holding Ella's hands. "I don't care any sufferings as long as you're with me. I will rebuild your world for you again. I will give you a family and I will never leave you. So please... don't think of parting with me."

"Arias - "

"If you hate me because of what I did, I won't blame you and accept whatever decision you make but... this is different. You're trying to let me go because you feel guilty and I can't accept that." Arias uttered in a pleading voice.

"The day you accept me, you told me that you won't let me go even if I change my mind in the future. You said that I should take responsibility for making you love me and... that responsibility is being with you for life. That's what you said. You can't take back your words, Eleanor. I won't allow that." He firmly added, looking at Ella who was narrowing her eyes at him.

"I didn't deserve this, Arias. How can I - " She instantly stopped talking when Arias put his finger on her lips.

"Deserve or not doesn't define love. That's what you always said whenever I say that you are too good for me. We love each other and that's the only thing that matters."

Feeling his sincerity, Ella couldn't force herself to hardened her heart anymore! She loved him just like he did. How could she ignore him after listening to him? She wasn't brave enough to break his heart! Losing control, she hugged him and burst into tears for the first time.

"I'm scared, Arias. What will happen to my father? What will become of our family?" She whimpered.

Arias rubbed the back of her head and shut his eyes. "Don't worry, Ella. We will face everything together. I won't leave your side no matter what happens."

* * *

The Next Day

Lt. Gen. Haric who was sound asleep was wakened up by the sound of his ringtone. Slowly getting up, he sat on his bed and put on his spectacles. Then he took his phone and answered the call.

"What's the matter, Richard? It's still early."

"There's a huge problem, Lt. General!" Major General Richard exclaimed from the other line.

"What is it? Get to the point." He simply said, having no idea of what was happening.

"Last night, a case was filed against you in the Army Court!"

"A case?" The Lt. General raised a brow.

"Yes. Threatening and torturing of the cadets against the low, betraying the Army Forces and the country and... " Major General Richard trailed off, hesitating to continue.

"Carry on." Lt. General Haric said in a stern voice. He was now tightly clenching his fist.

"Murder of Marvin Arista and Maverick Yaris. It's also reported that you're the one who drove Eric Flavian to death."

"Yelena Arista made a move in secret?" Lt. Gen. Haric coldly said. "She won't be able to do anything. It's many years ago and she will lack evidence."

"It's not simple, Lt. General. She already submitted the evidence to the judicial authorities. She even have witnesses!"

"Witness?!" Lt. Gen. Haric's raised a brow. "Don't tell me she finds Sergeant Korin!" He growled.

"It's not just Sergeant Korin. It's... Nolan Iselin."

"Nolan Iselin? He's alive?!"

"Yes, Lt. General! It's not just you. A case is also filed against me, Sergeant Kayce, Major General Jonan and Major General Godin! I think an order to arrest us will be issued by now!"

Lt. Gen. Haric squeezed his phone and hardly threw it to the floor. "Yelena Arista! How dare you mess with my grand plan!"