It's a Long Way to Her Heart

"18 hours from now, your body will experience destruction mode. You will then be returned to the 21st century."Hearing the system's mechanical voice, I felt a brief daze wash over me. Softly, I murmured, "Okay. I'll wait for you."After clearing the mission, I chose to stay behind in this other world—in its version of the 1980s—for my husband, Mark Chapman.I had thought I wouldn't hear from the system until the day I died of old age, so it had come as a surprise that it would show up so soon.Just then, Mark walked in, still in his military uniform, holding our daughter, Joanne Chapman's small hand. His posture was straight as ever, his features sharp and handsome.He looked at me, confusion in his eyes. "Honey, who did you say you were waiting for?""It's nothing. Just talking to myself," I answered, lowering my gaze.The dishes on the table had already gone cold. I took a few casual bites of the birthday cake and quietly wished myself a happy 30th birthday. At that, both Mar

"Okay."After dinner, I went to the crematorium. After hearing what I said, the staff looked at me with clear pity in their eyes. "Miss, you look so young… Are you really arranging your own funeral?"I nodded calmly. "Yeah. For myself. My time of death is in one hour. You can go to Community Hospital to collect my body directly. After cremation, just scatter the ashes wherever."They looked stunned, confused by how clearly I spoke about my own death. After a moment, they asked hesitantly, "Shouldn't you… inform your family about something like this?"Since I had already decided to cut ties with Mark and Joanne, how could I trouble them with handling my corpse? If it delayed their time with Hayley, that would be rather inconsiderate of me.Besides, I didn't think they would have time to care whether I lived or died.My expression stayed calm. "I don't think so… It'll only trouble them. Anyway, thank you for your help. I do need one more favor, though. Please prepare 300 copies of

There was no one around. Only the wind stirred gently, as if whispering back to his words.For the next two days, Mark searched for me like a man possessed. He combed the entire village, but found no trace of me anywhere.On the third day, every household in Cooperville received a congratulatory card.The moment Mark saw it, he was stunned. His voice trembled as he muttered, "H-How could Eunice think this way? I've only ever loved her. Hayley was just a sister!"As for Hayley, an outsider of the village, she was beaten by furious locals until her face was bruised and swollen. Then, she was tied up and paraded through the streets.Even then, Mark continued looking for me. He didn't see her at all.He searched the village first, then the town, and finally the county. He checked every place I might have appeared. Of course, the search was unfruitful.Exhaustion settled deep into his face. Joanne, who had been searching alongside him, began to feel despair. Her tiny voice asked, "Da

Mark was heartbroken. "Mr. Green, I can't find Eunice. Can you help me? We can get the villagers together to search for her. She… She means everything to us. We can't lose her!"Raymond let out a long sigh as he looked at Mark's pale, panicked face. "You've got a good job, a good wife, and you still can't get your head straight… Sit tight at home for now. At first light, I'll see what I can do."Mark finally eased a little. He hadn't slept for two whole nights. Instead of resting in his room, he sat upright in the living room, waiting for Raymond to bring him news.No matter how much the others tried to persuade him, he ignored them completely.Even when the police came to take Hayley away, he didn't step out of the room. Joanne stayed right by his side the entire time, waiting with him for news of me.Everyone who saw how stubborn they were couldn't help but feel a complicated mix of emotions.It wasn't until evening that Raymond came rushing back from the county. Mark's bloodsh