Chapter 2
Recalling this day in my past life, I had clung to a faint hope that Logan might come to love
me, coaxing him to watch the meteor shower with me.
However, his response had been a cold slap of sarcasm.
“Do you seriously believe watching a meteor shower together guarantees a happy marriage? By that logic, if the whole world looked up at the sky tonight, no one would ever get divorced. What kind of fairytale are you living in?”
This time, I had no such fantasies.
I’ll go
go with
you.
And yet, to my surprise, Logan said, “If you want to see the meteor shower, I’ll Just don’t expect a honeymoon–I’ve got work, and I don’t have the time.”
I blinked at him, startled that he’d even offer. But a second later, I understood.
For all his sharp words and cold glares, Logan had always been kind beneath the surface. Why
else would he have risked his life for me–not once, but three times?
The first was when I was eighteen, cornered in the shadowed, refuse–strewn Eastwood Alley
by a robber. Logan stepped in to save me, taking a knife to his right hand that severed his
radial nerve. From that day on, he could no longer lift anything heavy, and his dream of
becoming a pianist was shattered.
The second time, we were trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building after an earthquake.
He made me eat the last of our food and water, pretending he’d already had some. If the rescue
team hadn’t shown up in time, he would’ve died there without hesitation.
The third time, it was the truck–coming straight at me. Logan threw his arms around me and took the full impact. Shards of glass embedded deep into the back of his skull. But wrapped in
his embrace, I came away with nothing more than a few scrapes.
Three times, he’d put his life on the line for mine. How could I ever stop loving him?
“Are you going to stare off into space all day,” Logan snapped, “or do you want to watch that stupid meteor shower?”
Snapped out of my thoughts, I gave him a small smile. “Yes. Let’s go tonight.”
His expression relaxed just a little, and he flagged down a cab. “I’ll drop you at home first. I’ll come get you later, then we’ll head to Ridgeview Observatory.”
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Just as I reached for the cab door, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and frowned before
answering.
“Madison hurt her hand. I’m going to check on her,” he said. “You go on home.”
I nodded. “Alright.”
He hesitated, clearly surprised. “You used to throw a fit every time I went to see her. What’s changed?”
I opened my mouth, but before I could respond, he let out a humorless laugh. “Right. I forgot.
We’re supposedly ‘married‘ now. Guess you don’t see her as a threat anymore. Text me when you get home. I’m heading out.”
He climbed into the cab and left, never noticing the quiet disappointment behind my smile.
The truth was, I’d never tried to stop him from caring about Madison. But in my past life, I saw
her kissing an older man in Cresthaven’s plaza, with Charles and Eleanor watching in shock.
That prompted me to investigate, revealing Madison’s entanglements with wealthy men behind her innocent façade. To protect Logan, I did all I could to keep him away from her.
He never knew the truth. And after she died, he suffered for a decade.
o choose, I’d rather see him with Madison–alive and well–than watch him be
ed by sorrow and die because of me.
uilt and self–blame could crush a person.
With a heavy heart, I headed to Cresthill University to confirm my direct admission offer. Then I made my way home.
Charles and Eleanor had prepared a full spread for dinner. Eleanor greeted me warmly, taking my hand. “Emily! Back from City Hall already? Where’s Logan?”
“He had to take care of something for work,” I replied calmly.
Eleanor’s smile faltered. “Seriously? He couldn’t take one day off to be with you?”
Charles chuckled beside her. “That’s Logan for you–always chasing the next big thing. Don’t worry, now that you’re married, there’ll be plenty of time for dinners and family nonsense.”
Eleanor sighed, muttering something under her breath.
The kindness in their eyes, the warmth of the moment–it stung.
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I hesitated, then spoke. “Charles, Eleanor… Logan and I didn’t get the license. Instead, I finalized my paperwork for my study abroad program. I’ll be leaving for Cambridge in a few days.”
Eleanor froze. “What do you mean you didn’t get the license? Did Logan say something to upset you? You know how he is–all bark, no bite. He cares about you deeply, even if he doesn’t show it. He’s completely smitten with you, Emily.”
She clasped my hands tighter, her voice earnest. “You taught yourself psychology just to help him. We saw how much you cared–staying up all night, worrying over him, doing everything you could. You two love each other. You belong together. And we all know Madison isn’t right for him. We can’t let her ruin this.”
Charles nodded. “Logan’s always been stubborn, but give him time. Get married. Be patient. He’ll come around. You’ll see.”
Their words were almost identical to the ones they’d said in my past life.
But forcing love had only led to heartbreak–for everyone.
I gave Eleanor’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Please don’t be upset. Just hear me out. As hard as it is to say… you can’t force something that isn’t there. The truth is, Logan’s never loved me.”
