THE MOST HEROIC SON IN LAW

On the most powerful military base in the world, a place few people knew about, Jack Knight stood tall amidst a line of soldiers and generals who honored him. Five years had passed since he decided to leave his old life behind. Five years since he left behind someone who, in silence, always occupied his thoughts—Sarah Fontaine, his wife. As he faced forward, his gaze was steady, as if piercing the sky above. That day, he returned. He was going home. “The logistical aspect is complete, sir,” said Tyler Colton, his faithful assistant, who sternly stood beside him. Jack nodded. “Good. It’s time for us to leave.” One by one, the generals and soldiers who had served under his command saluted. They recognized his prowess as a leader on the battlefield, but Jack didn’t feel the need to get too involved in the salute. All of this was just part of his journey. His most important mission was not yet complete—he had to find Sarah Fontaine again, and this time he returned with a higher throne. Inside his private plane, the soft sound of jet engines roaring in the background was his silent companion. Jack sat in the plush leather seat, staring blankly out the window. But his mind wasn’t on the blue sky or the stretching white clouds. His mind went back five years, to the night that changed everything. The night his life was turned upside down. Back then, he was just an illegitimate son of the Hawthorne family, banished and hunted by them. No wealth, no big name to rely on. He worked as a laborer at the port, just to survive. Until that night. He remembered the bitter taste of the anesthetic that made his head dizzy, and his body heavy and sluggish. On a deserted dock, he was kidnapped. Fate then led him to an encounter with a woman named Fontaine, the heiress of the Stellar Capital Group. Coincidentally, or perhaps due to a greater destiny, the two of them got caught up in a hot night, they ended up having s*x, and news of them spread like wildfire. The bad news ruined the Stellar Capital Group’s good name. To minimize the impact, the Fontaine family arranged a wedding between Jack and Sarah. Jack didn’t know what to say. He felt too small, too unworthy to stand next to a woman as great as Sarah. So, immediately after the wedding, he made the decision that would change his life: he joined the military. He had to become more than just poor, helpless Jack. He had to become someone worthy of Sarah Fontaine. Five years passed, and now he had succeeded. He was a war hero and a respected leader, but despite all his success, there was one thing that was always left behind. Tyler approached, breaking his reverie. “We’ll be landing in a moment, sir. Are you ready?” Jack took a deep breath. “Yes. I’m ready.” At the airport, a busy atmosphere prevailed. Jack stepped off his private plane with Tyler. His steps were steady, but his heart was pounding. What would happen when he met Sarah? Would she still remember him? Would she forgive him for leaving without explanation? As Jack and Tyler walked towards the VIP exit, suddenly a cheerful little voice called out to him. “Daddy!” Jack stopped. He turned around and saw a little girl, probably around four years old, running towards him. The girl’s eyes were large and shining, her brown hair flowing gently. She ran enthusiastically as if Jack was the one she had missed the most. Jack frowned. “I think you’ve got the wrong person, girl,” he said as he knelt down to be on equal footing with the little girl. But the girl hugged his legs tightly, crying. “Daddy, why don’t you acknowledge me? I’m Hazel, Dad!” Jack was silent for a moment. “Hazel?” he murmured, confusion clouding his mind. “I’m not your daddy.” “But... but I saw your picture. Mommy said... she said you’d come home.” Hazel began to sob. Her tiny hands rubbed her eyes in circular motions. Tyler leaned in close to Jack, his face full of the same confusion. “This is weird. It seems like she really thinks you’re her father.” Gently, Jack removed Hazel’s arms from his legs. “I’m sorry, but I’m not your father,” he said, trying to remain calm despite the strange feelings beginning to gnaw at his mind. But Hazel continued to cry. “You don’t want me... Daddy doesn’t want me!” Tyler immediately took the initiative and contacted the airport security office. Jack, not knowing what to do, could only watch as Hazel was led away by the security guards, her cries still echoing in his ears. Jack looked at Tyler, his face tense. “What just happened?” he asked in a serious tone. Tyler shook his head. “I don’t know either, sir. But you don’t need to worry because the security guards will take care of it right away.” *** At the airport security office, Sarah Fontaine entered the room with hurried steps. Her eyes were restless, full of anxiety. For over two hours she had searched for her daughter who had suddenly disappeared. Panic engulfed her as she ran around like crazy looking for her child. “Hazel!” she called in a panicked tone. Hazel, who was sitting in the corner of the room, ran to her and hugged her tightly. “Mommy! I saw Daddy! But he said he didn’t want me,” she sobbed. Her eyes sparkled with tears. Sarah was silent, her body freezing. Five years ago, Jack left without a trace after asking her father for half a million dollars. Since then, her family had fallen apart. She remembered how he fought everyone, including his own family, just to keep Hazel. “D-Daddy?” Sarah’s voice trembled. For five years, she had no access to communication with Jack. Was he back after five years of disappearance? Or was it just Hazel’s delusions of wanting to be with her father too much? Sarah squeezed Hazel’s arms and knelt before her daughter. Doubt and anxiety were evident on her face. “Hazel, sweetheart. Are you sure you saw your daddy?” Her voice caught in her throat. “You... sure he’s your daddy?” “Yes! I know he’s my daddy! I recognize my daddy!” exclaimed Hazel. There was a look of longing, but also disappointment in her eyes. “I recognize him but why doesn’t Daddy recognize me? Doesn’t he want me?” “Oh, my God... Hazel...” Sarah could not say anything else. She hugged her daughter very tightly. Her heart was in turmoil. She was torn between believing what Hazel said and not. Had he really come back after five years of disappearance?