Chapter 8
The sunlight was so bright that it stung Helen’s eyes as she left the hospital.
As she reached the entrance of her neighborhood, she spotted Diana on tiptoe, waving at her. “Helen! I’ve been waiting for you!”
“Diana?” Helen brushed the hair from her temples, feeling the burn on her right arm still throbbing.
“Mr. Fletcher made all the arrangements. The ship leaves tomorrow morning,” Diana said quietly, pulling out a ticket. “He asked you not to bring too much. Everything is ready on the island.”
Helen quickly pulled a small gift from her pocket and handed it to Diana. “Thank you for everything.”
“No problem. Mr. Fletcher already paid me for matchmaking!”
“This is another gift.” Helen pressed the gift into Diana’s hand with a small smile. “As a celebration of my new life.”
Diana blinked in surprise before grinning. “Yes, you should celebrate. Now that your husband’s gone, it’s time to move on.”
To everyone else, Carter had been dead for a long time.
He died during that mission, leaving behind his bloodstained badge.
But only Helen knew he was alive and lived with another woman.
Before she could respond, the gate crashed open.
Carter stood there, his military uniform drenched in sweat, clearly having rushed back.
“I told you not to set up any marriages for Helen!” He snatched the gift from Diana’s hands. “I’ll take care of her. She won’t agree to remarry!”
Diana shuddered with fear. “But she already…”
“Diana, please go back first,” Helen interrupted softly and gave Diana at
hint.
Diana hurried out and bumped into Freya, who was entering.
Freya looked up and saw Carter standing protectively in front of Helen. Her expression instantly darkened.
***
Later that night, Helen was packing her things when the door suddenly opened.
Freya sneered, her barely noticeable baby bump beginning to show. “Have you not learned your lesson? How dare you still try to get Caleb!”
ving
Helen continued folding her clothes without looking up. “I’m leaving tomorrow. You-”
Before she could finish, Freya collapsed, clutching her stomach and yelling, “My baby!”
Carter rushed in from outside. “Freya!”
He didn’t even glance at Helen. He picked Freya up and dashed out.
29.61%
Helen stood there, hearing Freya’s fake sobs in the corridor. “She pushed me… Caleb, our baby…”
What awful acting.
Helen almost laughed, but she only tasted salty tears in her mouth.
The next morning, as she walked to the gate with her suitcase, she ran into Carter, who looked exhausted.
His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was covered with stubble.
“Why do you keep hurting Freya?” He grabbed her wrist. “I stayed with her all night. She almost lost the baby!”
Helen yanked her hand away and walked past him.
He finally found the suitcase. “You knew I was going to send you away? Are you already packed?”
Helen paused and asked, “Send me away?”
He looked exhausted, but his voice stayed cold. “Freya’s pregnancy is risky. She doesn’t want to be around you. You should stay with your parents for now.”
Without another word, he reached for her suitcase. “I’ll take you to the station.”
“No need.” Helen said, pulling it back. “I can go on my own.”
Still, Carter followed her stubbornly, refusing to let her go alone. It was like he didn’t trust her to leave on her own.
“Stay at your parents‘ place for now. Once the baby’s born, I’ll come
back for you.
“I won’t send you ofl. Buy your ticket. Freya is still in the hospital. I need to be there.”
After giving a few last words, he turned and hurried off.
Helen stood by the ticket counter and suddenly let out a soft laugh.
“Carter, go on and stay with Freya forever,” she thought.
She watched the army jeep fade into the fog. Then, she turned and walked the other way.
A shuttle to the harbor was waiting. So was Elliott–and a fresh start.
As the morning sun rose, she glanced back once at the military compound.
She would never see Carter again.
Chapter 9
11
