Chapter 2
Rosa's words of advice died on her lips.
I knew exactly what Rosa was up to. She didn't want me joining the troops.
Back then, I was always stirring up trouble, but Rosa was the one egging me on from the shadows.
Right after I married Kyle, she started in on me, day after day, never letting up.
She'd go, "You're a spoiled princess. Settling for a rough guy like Kyle? You could do so much better.
"Kyle doesn't get women at all. He's nothing like your first love, Lennon. Lennon actually cared about you."
With her constant chatter in my ear, every time I saw Kyle, I just felt like I was getting the short end of the stick.
I started missing Lennon more and more, even thinking about patching things up with him.
But looking back, after I married Kyle, things actually got way better for me.
I hated living in cramped, stuffy places, so Kyle used his military achievements to get us the villa.
I mentioned I wanted someone to drive me around, and even though he was always the understated type, Kyle bought a car and hired a driver just for me.
As for the usual mother-in-law drama? That didn't exist. Kyle nipped it in the bud by sending his mom off to enjoy her retirement in the countryside.
Honestly, my life after marrying Kyle was way better than when I was single.
Now that I got a second shot at life, there was no way I was ever buying Rosa's bullshit again.
After a long pause, Rosa finally spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "So, what are you going to do about Lennon?"
The look on my face changed instantly, and Rosa, realizing what she'd just blurted out, scrambled to explain herself.
"I just noticed you keep the lights on at night, hugging that photo and staring at it..." she stammered.
I let out a mocking laugh, my words laced with sarcasm. "Rosa, that's nonsense. Don't let your imagination run wild like that.
"I was just admiring myself, okay?"
Rosa's mouth twitched, but she couldn't come up with a single comeback.
A low, husky laugh echoed for a moment before fading away.
Rosa slunk off, too embarrassed to even come down for dinner.
I couldn't care less about her. Skipping one meal wasn't going to kill her.
When I walked into the dining room, I saw my son and daughter already sitting there, all quiet and proper.
As soon as I reached out to ruffle their hair, they both flinched, ducking their heads and covering them with their arms.
"Please don't hit us..." they whimpered.
Their voices were so scared and shaky, and it honestly gave me the creeps.
Back then, Kyle got wasted, and we ended up spending one reckless night together.
That was how I got pregnant with my son and daughter, but after they were born, I couldn't even stand to be around them.
I never gave them a second glance, and I wouldn't let them call me "Mom."
Just remembering how those two kids called Rosa "Mom" and couldn't wait for me to drop dead left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Choking back the emotions swirling inside me, I said in a raspy voice, "From now on, call me 'Mom,' okay?"
With that, I gave their fuzzy little heads a gentle rub and let my hand fall away.
The two kids stared at me, eyes wide, totally stunned.
After a long pause, they finally responded, still looking a little scared.
Finally, they looked at me and softly said, "Mom."
Just hearing them call me "Mom" made my tears fall instantly.
Kyle walked in, thinking the kids had done something to upset me.
He opened his mouth, ready to tell them off.
I quickly stepped in front of him. "What are you yelling at the kids for? They haven't done anything wrong..."
Kyle froze, staring at me like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
I shot him a playful glare. "Seriously, you see your wife every single day and still can't get enough? Keep staring, and your eyes are gonna fall out."
Kyle snapped out of it, looking like he wanted to laugh.
But he quickly put on his usual cold face and said flatly, "Got it, honey."
We wolfed down dinner, and before long, Kyle's aide came running over. "General Miller, the carriage is ready. We're all set to head out to Akatia Island."
Kyle just gave a quiet nod and, with a wave, got the whole family moving.
After three days and nights of traveling, we finally made it to Akatia Island.
The island wasn't nearly as barren as I'd imagined. Thanks to Kyle's arrangements, everything, food, supplies, clothes, was just like it was before.
As soon as we got to the house on Akatia Island, Kyle grabbed my arm and pulled me straight into the room.
How did I never realize Kyle was actually pretty hot? He had short hair, broad shoulders, slim waist, narrow hips, classic tough guy material.
I let my eyes roam over him, and sure enough, his ears started turning red.
His grip on my wrist was firm, but not in a way that bothered me.
"What are you staring at?" he asked.
I caught the embarrassment in his voice, and couldn't help but tease him. "You're my husband. What's wrong with me checking you out?
"Forget just looking. If I want to get hands-on, what are you gonna do about it?"
I put my words into action and grabbed a handful of his solid chest.
Just like I thought, it felt amazing.
The next second, he slammed me onto the bed.
Kyle's Adam's apple bobbed, and for a moment, I thought he was about to do something to me.
But after a long pause, he finally blurted out, "Join me at the welcome ceremony tonight."
I just nodded, playing along.
That night, I showed up in a stunning pink dress, arm in arm with Kyle.
People couldn't stop complimenting me. I was soaking it all in.