Chapter 2

"A friend from the weather department mentioned there'll be shooting stars tonight. I hear that wishing on one can keep couples in harmony and together forever, right through to old age. Let's head up to the back hill this evening and join the fun!"

My pace slowed for a beat.

In my previous life, on the day we'd registered our marriage, I was over the moon, dreaming of growing old with him, and I badgered him nonstop to come watch the meteor shower with me.

Back then, he'd fixed me with a cold stare and lectured me.

"If wishing on a shooting star could really make lovers last forever, would the world still be full of regrets for couples who couldn't make it to the end? Anyway, if wishes actually worked, I'd only wish for peace and prosperity in the nation."

Now, though, the idea held no appeal for me anymore.

Yet Darrick suddenly glanced back at me. "If you want to see the meteors, I can join you tonight. I'm not taking any wedding leave—training starts soon, and I'll be swamped."

I looked up at him, utterly stunned.

I never expected him to suggest it himself; the hidden ache in my heart vanished in a flash.

It figured—the man I loved had always had a kind heart. Otherwise, why would he have pulled me from the jaws of danger time after time?

At sixteen, when some thugs tried to grab my purse, he jumped in and took a sickle slash to the arm—nearly severed it completely. Treatment came just in time, but he was never the flawless sharpshooter after that.

At eighteen, I almost drowned in a flood. He didn't hesitate for a second, diving in to haul me to safety. The situation was life-or-death—if not for him, I'd have been a goner.

At twenty-eight, on our drive back to the village, a huge boulder came crashing down. He could have survived, but in that final instant, he yanked the wheel, pulled me into a tight embrace, and absorbed the full impact on the driver's side. He died right before my eyes, while I got away with only scratches.

Every time, he appeared like a guardian angel, yanking me back from the brink. How could I not fall hopelessly in love with him?

When I didn't answer immediately, Darrick started to look irritated.

"Well? Have you made up your mind? Are we going to watch the meteors or not?"

I snapped back to the present and nodded eagerly. "Yes, I want to watch them with you!"

Deep down, I knew I only had 36 hours left here, and that after that, any chance between us would be gone. But still, I longed for one beautiful memory with him.

Darrick's features relaxed a bit as he swung his long leg over the bike. "Get on. I'll drop you home first, then come pick you up later."

I was about to climb on when his pager went off. He answered, and whatever was said on the other end made his brows furrow.

"Lynne twisted her ankle. I need to check on her—you head home by yourself."

I gave him a gentle smile. "Sure."

He eyed me suspiciously. "You always hated it when I went to see her. Why are you being so easygoing today?"

I started to respond, but he cut me off. "Is it because we're married now, so you think there's no need to stir up trouble with her? Keep those sneaky thoughts to yourself. Text me when you get home—I'm heading out."

With that, he gunned the engine and sped off.

As his figure faded into the distance, my smile gradually slipped away, replaced by a wave of disappointment.

Truth be told, I'd never tried to prevent him from caring for Lynne.

But once, his parents had glimpsed her less savory side—they caught her getting cozy and handsy with her department head. I'd tailed her secretly and found out she was entangled with several leaders.

I just didn't want Darrick to get hurt, so I'd gone to great lengths to keep them apart.

But he was clueless about it all, and after her death, he tormented himself for eight long years.

If I had to choose, I'd rather see them together than watch him grind through a life with me, only to die because of me in the end.

Living with that kind of guilt and regret was pure agony.

I took a deep breath and headed to the school to grab my college acceptance letter before finally returning to the community.

Darrick's parents were hustling around the kitchen, whipping up dinner. Their faces lit up when they saw me. "Back so soon? How'd it go? Was the marriage application smooth sailing? Where's Darrick?"

"Everything went fine. He's back at his unit."

Marie Zamora scowled. "That kid—getting married is a big deal! What's so important that he couldn't stay?"

Booker Zamora tried to calm her down. "A man's got to provide for his wife and kids. Being busy is good—it means he's out there earning a living for the family! Plus, we're all one big family now; we can catch up anytime."

As I looked at them, a bitter pang hit me, and tears pricked my eyes.

"Marie, Booker, I didn't go through with the certificate with Darrick. I got my acceptance letter, and in a few days, I'll be off to the city for college."

Marie froze. "What do you mean you didn't? Did Darrick do something to hurt you? Tell me—I'll set him straight!