---- Chapter 2 The next morning, the city was cleaning up after the storm. But in Ava's small apartment, the wreckage was all internal. The beautiful, custom-made controller she had spent weeks designing was gone, likely swept up with the trash from Noah's party. The thought of it lying in a landfill somewhere made her stomach clench. She lay in bed, a fever starting to creep through her body from her long walk in the rain. She felt sick, but it was more than just a physical illness. It was a sickness of the soul. For three years, she had convinced herself that Noah' s indifference was just part of his personality. He was a visionary, a busy entrepreneur, he didn't have time for the small sentimentalities that she cherished. She had believed his rare moments of affection were proof of his love, and his frequent dismissals were just tests of her devotion. She remembered a dinner party a year ago. She had been so excited to go, to be introduced as his girlfriend. But he had left her side the entire night, mingling with investors and old friends, leaving her to stand awkwardly in a corner. She had overheard two women talking about her. "Is that Noah's new girl? She seems... plain. He usually goes for more glamorous types, like Scarlett." Noah had been standing close enough to hear, but he hadn't said a word. He just refilled his drink and ---- walked away. She remembered another time, she' d spent an entire day cooking a complicated meal for him, a dish he' d mentioned loving as a child. It contained shrimp, which she was mildly allergic to. Her hands had broken out in an itchy rash, but she didn't care. She just wanted to see him smile. When he arrived, he barely tasted it. "Oh, I'm not really in the mood for this tonight," he'd said, pushing the plate away and turning on the TV. He never noticed the red, swollen skin on her hands. Each memory was a small cut, and now, after last night, she was bleeding out. The fever grew worse. Her head throbbed, and her body ached. She felt a wave of self-pity wash over her. It was always her, giving everything, and him, taking it all for granted. With a trembling hand, she reached for her phone and called him. Maybe last night was a mistake, a drunken joke gone too far. Maybe he would apologize. The phone rang once, twice, then went to voicemail. She tried again. This time, he picked up. "What do you want, Ava?" His voice was rough, impatient. "Noah, I... I'm sick," she said, her own voice weak and raspy. "I think | have a fever." There was a pause on the other end. She could hear the faint sound of a woman's laughter in the background. It sounded like Scarlett ---- "So? Go see a doctor," he said, his tone flat and uncaring. "I'm busy." "Could you... could you maybe come over?" she asked, the words catching in her throat. The question was pathetic, she knew, but she felt so small, so alone. "| just told you, 'm busy. Don't be so needy, Ava. It's not a good look." And then he hung up. The finality of the click echoed in the silent room. She dropped the phone onto the bed and curled into a ball, the tears she had held back finally starting to fall. She cried for the wasted years, for her lost self-respect, for the foolish girl who thought her love could change a man who didn't want to be changed. As she drifted in and out of a feverish sleep, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She ignored it, assuming it was another cruel message from Noah or his friends. Hours later, when the fever had subsided slightly, she finally looked at it. It wasn't from Noah. It was an email. The subject line read: "Congratulations! Indie Game Awards Finalist." She blinked, reading the words again. Her game, "Echoes of Starlight," the one she had been pouring her heart and soul into for two years, had been selected as a finalist for the "Best Narrative" award at the country's most prestigious indie game festival. ---- For a moment, just a single, fragile moment, the crushing weight on her chest lifted. It was a small light in a vast darkness, a reminder that there was a part of her that Noah couldn't touch, a part of her that was still hers, and that part had just been recognized as something special. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. What sets this story apart is its strong female lead who defies expectations and challenges societal norms in a quest for justice and redemption. Experience the riveting tale of Adela Taylor online at CrushReel and witness the transformation of a princess into a formidable female general.