Chapter 2

The bedroom door opened, then slammed shut with a loud bang.

My hand hung at my side, slowly clenching the edge of the bed.

Then I quickly got up, left the bedroom, and called out to him as he was about to vanish at the end of the hallway, "Nathan Foster."

I think that was the first time I'd ever called him by his full name.

The man who'd always ignored me actually stopped in his tracks.

He didn't turn around, and it was clear he wasn't going to stick around for anything else I had to say.

I took a deep breath, steadied myself, and said, "Let's get a divorce."

Nathan finally turned around. He looked like he couldn't believe his ears and asked, "What?"

It had been seven years for me to finally bring up divorce. This was probably something he'd only ever dreamed of but never expected to actually happen.

I replied, "I already went to Commander Grant and filed for divorce. I've already signed it. If you sign too, we can finalize the divorce."

Nathan stood there, unmoving, like he was weighing it all in his head.

He was always on guard whenever I spoke.

Suddenly, he stepped right up to me, closing the gap.

It should've been good news for him, but his expression darkened.

He closed the distance, towering over me, his gaze full of fury. "Hannah, are you trying to ruin my future?"

I was completely lost.

His anger flared up more. "Joe's about to retire, and he wants me to take over. What are you trying to pull?"

All these years, he'd always assumed the worst about me.

He thought I was bringing up divorce to mess up his reputation.

I was so mad I couldn't get a word out for a moment, and I couldn't help but snap back, "I'm not that petty.

"I'm asking for a divorce because I want a divorce. You're giving me way too much credit."

Nathan let out a cold laugh. "Guess I really did underestimate you. At nineteen, you were..."

He cut himself off mid-sentence.

It felt like a threat hanging over me, suddenly gone.

He stormed off with a grim face, not bothering to look back.

I had to leave in two weeks at the latest.

I didn't want to drag out the divorce any longer.

Nathan didn't come home every day. Sometimes he'd crash at the military housing, and it was normal for him to disappear for three or five days at a stretch.

*****

Coincidentally, I had the next day off from the hospital.

Early that morning, I grabbed the divorce papers. I headed to the military housing, determined to talk to him one more time.

As soon as I walked in, I overheard some officers chatting. "It's pretty much set. Nathan's gonna be the new commander. He's young and really has what it takes"

After all these years, my body reacted on its own.

Hearing that familiar name, I instinctively slowed my steps.

Then, out of nowhere, someone bumped into me, and the papers in my hands scattered all over the floor.

It was none other than Charlotte, the girl Nathan cherished above all else.

She was in her military uniform, makeup perfectly done, and her hair styled in braided pigtails.

She looked absolutely adorable and full of energy, probably on her way to a performance.

She bumped into me and didn't bother to apologize.

She shot me a haughty look, bent down to pick up her sheet music, and strutted off without a second glance.

By the time I frowned and turned around, she was already gone.

I crouched down and started picking up the papers scattered all over the floor.

As I bent down to pick up the scattered papers, a broad hand suddenly reached out, helping me scoop them up.

Just for a moment, Nathan's face popped into my head.

My hand froze, and I looked up. It wasn't him.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I called out, "Oliver."

It was Oliver Howard. He and Nathan had been classmates at the military academy, and later joined the military housing together.

Before I married Nathan, I'd sometimes go to the academy or the military housing to look for him.

Sometimes, when I couldn't find Nathan, Oliver would show me where to go.

After a while, we kind of became friends.

Oliver stood up for me. "She runs into you and doesn't apologize? Who does she think she is?"

I didn't say anything.

Out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly spotted Nathan in his military uniform, standing not far away.

I looked up, and he turned on his heel and left.

Even from across the courtyard, I could feel how annoyed he was.

He hated it when I showed up at the compound looking for him.

I got up to call after him, but he was already gone.

I dropped my gaze to the stuff I was holding.

Only then did I realize I was supposed to have three divorce reports, but one was missing, and I had no idea when it happened.

I tried to keep my cool and retrace my steps.

After Charlotte ran into me, she scooped up her sheet music without looking.

Odds are, she grabbed one of the divorce reports.

I had no clue if she did it on purpose or by accident.

I wanted to go find her and get it back, but one of the girls from the art troupe told me she was out performing.

At the earliest, I'd have to wait at least two hours before I could track her down.

I had no other option.

So I tried to set up a meeting with Nathan while waiting for Charlotte to come back.

I had someone pass a message to Nathan, then waited around for ages.

Before I knew it, a crowd was gathering by the bulletin board for some reason.

Maybe there was a new announcement from the military housing.

I didn't pay it any mind and sat under the shade of a tree, waiting for Nathan to come out.

But as the soldiers left the bulletin board, they kept shooting me these weird looks.

I found it odd.

I got up and walked over to check it out.

And there it was, my missing divorce report, boldly slapped up on the bulletin board for everyone to see.

It was clear as day, both Nathan's and my name right there. And underneath, my own signature scrawled in handwriting.

I'd been sitting a few steps away the whole time.

No wonder everyone who saw the bulletin board was giving me those weird looks.

Most of them probably thought Nathan and I were having marital problems.

They probably figured I'd posted it on purpose, to stir up drama at the military compound and get my way.

The art troupe had finished their performance and was coming out of the auditorium.

Nathan handed Charlotte a bouquet, congratulating her on a successful show.

They walked side by side, coming right over here.

The crowd stirred, shooting them odd glances.

Joe probably figured I was causing a fuss because I'd been wronged.

He felt bad for me and marched right over, calling Nathan out, "Nathan, you're out of line."