Chapter 3

I risked my life to bring my twins into this world, but after they saw Maisy on TV, all they did was blame me.

This time, I would grant them their wish. They wouldn't have to be born again.

I barely managed to drag myself to the hospital and got my finger wrapped up.

To get back to the compound, I had to pass by Andrew's training field. The moment I stepped out of the car, I spotted him with his arms around Maisy, showing her how to handle a gun.

"Focus here, take aim. This gun barely kicks at all. It's my favorite piece," Andrew said.

Once Andrew finished the demo, he handed the gun to Maisy, giving her an encouraging nod.

I felt as if a hole had been punched through my heart. It no longer bled. It just howled with cold wind rushing through it.

That gun was Andrew's father, Luther Patton's battlefield sidearm, the one he carried through war and cherished above all.

Luther saw it as a symbol of family legacy and handed it down to Andrew.

One time, I tried to help him clean that pistol, but Andrew shut me down hard.

"This is our family's honor. It means everything. Rita, you don't know what you're doing. Don't ever touch it again," he said, his voice sharp.

But now, he was handing over that symbol of family honor to Maisy with complete trust, not holding anything back.

Their lovey-dovey display was a slap in the face. I couldn't bring myself to care anymore. I just wanted to get home and rest.

Just as I was about to push open the gate, a bullet whizzed past my ear out of nowhere.

A bullet tore straight through my shoulder in an instant. Then, a second shot ripped through my calf.

"Andrew, I'm so sorry. I couldn't hold it steady. I think I just shot Rita. What do I do?"

Through the haze of pain, I heard Maisy's voice shaking.

I wanted to call out to Andrew, to beg him to get me to the hospital, but the pain was so intense I couldn't make a sound.

"Don't worry. Even if you accidentally shot someone, I'll take care of everything. You have nothing to be afraid of," Andrew said.

He didn't even look at me. Instead, he wrapped Maisy in his arms, murmuring comfort to her like she was the only one that mattered.

For a moment, the ache in my heart hurt even more than the bullet in my shoulder.

Fifteen years together, and all of it meant less than his sudden crush on Maisy.

I could accept him falling for someone else, I could even accept him choosing Maisy over me.

But now, it was obvious. Andrew didn't even treat me like a human being.

Just thinking about it, the taste of blood rushed up my throat, and I coughed it out.

When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a hospital room.

Andrew looked visibly relieved as soon as he saw me wake up.

"Maisy didn't do it on purpose. It was her first time with a gun. Accidental injuries happen," Andrew said, trying to reassure me.

I forced myself upright, my gaze cold as ice. "This time it was my shoulder, but if her aim had been off just a bit more, she would've shot me in the heart! She fired twice! That was no accident!"

A flicker of guilt flashed in Andrew's eyes. "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, nothing will happen to you."

I couldn't help but let out a sarcastic laugh, anger bubbling up as I gripped the bedrail and stood up.

"I'm going to turn her in. She's a reformee, and she just shot someone with a gun without authorization," I said coldly, refusing to back down.

Andrew shot back, "I told you, it was just an accident!"

Andrew grabbed me and pulled me close, his tone suddenly gentle. "Maisy's leaving the country soon. Can we just let this go? Once she's gone, it'll just be you and me. I swear I'll make it up to you."

Pain flashed in my eyes.

Back in the last timeline, I kept falling for his promises, over and over.

I wouldn't believe him again.

"No way! I'm reporting her, and even if you're the commander, you can't cover for her this time!" I snapped.

I struggled to break free, but Andrew's grip only tightened, locking me in his arms even harder.

His face turned cold, and he leaned in, voice low and sinister, like a devil murmuring in my ear. "Madeline's still hooked up to machines in the military hospital. Without me, do you really think she'll survive for long?"

I stared at Andrew in disbelief. Before I knew it, I slapped him hard across the face.

"That's my mom! The woman you've known for thirty years, ever since you were little! How could you turn out to be so heartless?" I shouted.

After my dad died, my mom had just started falling apart. Her mind got worse by the day.

In just two years, she attempted suicide five times.

The last time, they found her too late. She'd breathed in so much gas, she became a vegetable.

The only thing keeping her alive was that ventilator in the military hospital.

My slap split Andrew's lip, but he just ran his tongue over the wound, completely unfazed.

Andrew's voice was low and controlling. "Be a good girl, Rita."

*****

The investigators sat quietly by my bedside, their voices low. "Mrs. Patton, do you remember who fired the gun when you were injured?"

Andrew jumped in immediately. "It was my mistake. I mishandled the gun and accidentally shot Rita. I'm willing to accept any consequences."

The investigators gave me a skeptical look.

They were clearly doubtful of Andrew's claim. After all, he was known as a sharpshooter.

I nodded with difficulty, my voice hoarse. "Yes... it was him."

Since it wasn't life-threatening, the investigation team just ordered Andrew to hold a military stance on the training field for 48 hours straight as punishment.

From a distance, I sat in my wheelchair and locked eyes with Andrew as he endured his punishment.