The dream was long, and I fell back into anguish. Thankfully, my alarm clock dragged me out. After my afternoon classes, I headed to the parking lot to retrieve my car. As I passed the sports field, a basketball flew directly towards me. My mind went blank instan- tly. I instinctively raised my hand to block it.
The anticipated pain never came. I opened my eyes and saw Liam, struck and injured, before me. A mix of emotions churned with- in me. Despite my desire to avoid any further entanglement with him, I couldn’t bring myself to abandon a student who had just shielded me, especially under the watchful eyes of so many.
After taking him to the campus infirmary for bandages, I prepared to leave. Liam called out to me, “Professor Martin, I helped you. Shouldn’t you thank me?”
I stopped, turning back. “Didn’t I already say thank you?”
“Verbal thanks are so boring. How about something more practical?” He slowly strolled over to me. “Today’s my birthday. Could you… have dinner with me?”
Those sealed memories, with the trailing end of that sentence, flooded back.
Though I hadn’t anticipated Liam’s birth, perhaps it was the immense suffering of his difficult, prolonged delivery, or perhaps it was
simply maternal instinct, but I cherished him deeply. Once, he was nearly scalded by boiling water. I, without a second thought,
instinctively lunged and hugged him, shielding him. The entire pot of scalding water poured over my neck. Afterward, to soothe a
terrified Liam, I comforted him for four hours straight. Consequently, I missed the optimal time for treatment, leaving a permanent scar. I didn’t mind the scar, as long as my child was safe and healthy. To give him a joyful and happy family environment, I coopera- ted with Julian, playing the part of a loving couple.
Until he turned four. That façade of happiness was ripped away.
After Liam was born, Julian grew very fond of family life. He repeatedly expressed a desire for another child, but I always refused
As a result, he doted intensely on his only son. Liam’s birthday parties grew grander each year. For his fourth birthday, Liam, now in
preschool, Julian invited all his classmates to play at the amusement park and ski resort he had built specially for the occasion.
Halfway through the party, an unexpected guest arrived. It was Ashley Hayes. I had seen her photos on Julian’s phone Beautiful,
added touch of mature charm Reihses the shook of her return from the dead was torn
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elegant, and now with an added touch of mature charm. Perhaps the shock of her return from the dead was too overwhelming, for Julian looked bewildered, unable to believe his eyes. But when Ashley spoke his name, he instinctively let go of my hand.
It turned out Ashley had missed her original flight and rebooked for the next one, narrowly escaping the crash. She hadn’t wanted
to disturb Julian’s life, so she had never reappeared. It was only when her job recently transferred her back to the country that she
thought to come and visit.
Old friends reunited, small talk was inevitable. Julian arranged for Ashley to stay at an apartment he owned and didn’t return home
that night. I knew very well that my life was about to be turned upside down again. But I never expected even my sole solace to be snatched away.
