Chapter 2

The boy rushed over, and Andrew picked him up smoothly, like he'd done it a thousand times.

Emily Winters stood a few steps away in her cream-colored trench coat, her eyes soft with affection as she watched them.

Seeing the happy family right in front of me, I froze in place.

And in that moment, it all clicked. That's why he was so determined to divorce me back then.

Emily walked over, her eyes scanning me with a curious smile. "Who's this?"

Andrew didn't even glance my way, his voice as indifferent as if I were a stranger. "An old colleague. She lost someone in her family."

Three years of marriage, seven years of waiting. But in the end, all I got was 'old colleague.' Not even worth the title of 'ex-wife.'

I took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, clutching the urn tightly as I walked straight past them toward the exit of the Heroes' Memorial Garden.

As I brushed past him, that familiar scent of sea salt and fir, so deeply etched in my memory—hit me, stinging my nose and making my eyes burn.

Footsteps sounded behind me. I hurriedly wiped my face and turned to see Andrew standing just a couple of steps away.

He stared at my red-rimmed eyes, his tone heavier. "Claire, you've changed."

My nose stung. "People always change."

He used to swear he'd protect me forever, but in the end, he changed too.

He pulled out his phone. "Let's exchange numbers. We need to coordinate the house transfer."

I forced a smile. "My number's still the same."

For seven years, I never dared to change it. I was scared he'd come back and not be able to find me, or that if something happened with the fleet, they wouldn't contact his family.

Andrew's fingers paused, and right in front of me, he took my number off the block list. "Back then I was worried you couldn't move on."

I only murmured a hum and didn't say anything else.

The moment I saw them as a happy family, it didn't matter anymore if I could let go or not.

The next day, when I came to pay my respects, I suddenly stopped in my tracks as I passed the plot I'd reserved.

On the gray stone tablet, someone else's name and dates had been carved there, and I had no idea when it happened.

I immediately contacted the Heroes' Memorial Garden office.

The staff member looked genuinely sorry. "Ms. Sutton, I really apologize. According to the rules, grave plots can't be reserved for too long.

"The other party is a pilot who gave his life in service, and his family immediately chose this spot. They're willing to pay you ten times the penalty fee."

My voice was rough as I said, "I paid a deposit and signed a contract."

"He's recognized as a hero, and the military gave special approval. There's really nothing we can do," the staff member sighed. "If you're okay with it, I can set up a meeting with the family."

I stared at my parents' tombstone nearby, swallowing my emotions. "Okay."

Half an hour later, a military-issued SUV pulled up at the foot of the hill.

When I saw who stepped out, my heart dropped.

Of all people, it was Andrew who took my burial plot.

Shock, disbelief, and a dull, numbing pain all surged up in my throat. My voice trembled but only asked one word, "Why?"

He stood there, tall and straight as ever, but for the first time, the always-proud Andrew actually softened toward me.

"I'm sorry. Emily's husband died in the line of duty three years ago. She wants to bring his ashes home to rest, and this spot caught her eye right away."

I clenched my fists so hard my nails dug into my palms. "Did you go with her to pick it out?"

He used silence as a reply.