Chapter 3

That night, when I got home, the military housing compound was buzzing with noise.

I saw a group gathered around a campfire, and Justine and Wayne were right in the middle, teasing each other.

My peers shot me knowing looks.

Someone called out, "Craig, wanna join us?"

I knew they just wanted to see me get humiliated again, like a few days ago when Justine embarrassed me in front of everyone.

But that wasn't the old me anymore.

This time, I ignored them and went straight inside, shutting the door to block out all the noise.

[Mr. Russell, I'm in. I'll join the medical research program.]

Justine and I both came from military families. My father was one of Bernard's most trusted men.

So I grew up trying to protect her, just like my father had.

But a few years ago, during an incident, my father caught a rare illness protecting Bernard. There was no cure, so he died.

That was why I didn't hesitate to pick medicine when I got to college.

Melvin Russell happened to be an old friend of my father's, someone I hadn't seen in years.

When he learned about my father's death, he had promised to guide me.

Whenever he encountered any opportunities, he'd push me toward them.

Before, I was too tied down by Justine to say yes.

But now, I'd let go.

Justine didn't need me anymore. Holding on only made me a joke.

Maybe this research was my chance to walk away and start fresh.

Melvin replied quickly, [Great! Finally, you said yes!

[Tonight's the deadline—I was just about to beg for an extension for you.]

I smiled as I read it, but then my vision blurred.

Twenty-four years together with Justine, nine years tangled up.

Now, after just four days, I could leave her without hesitation.

Just as Justine and Wayne announced they were back together, I was packing to head to Brindlewood.

Melvin reminded me to bring warm clothes as winter in the north was brutal.

When I finished packing and checked my phone, messages about Justine flooded the screen.

I ignored them.

Just then, my mother called out from outside my room.

"Craig, Bernard and Sally invited us out. They said there's big news."

I was surprised.

I figured I might as well wait until after dinner to leave.

When we arrived, it wasn't just Bernard and Sally—there was also a couple I didn't know.

Everyone was chatting and laughing, and when they saw me and my mother, they beamed and pulled us to sit.

Then Justine and Wayne appeared, hand in hand.

The other couple waved eagerly. "Wayne, you finally showed up!"

My mother froze, staring, exchanging uneasy looks with Justine's parents.

Justine noticed our tense faces and snapped, "Craig, did you come here on purpose? You found out Wayne and I were meeting our parents to announce we're getting married and decided to cause trouble?"

I shrugged, calm as ever.

"I don't know anything. I'm just here with my mom for dinner."

Sally stepped in smoothly. "Yeah, I invited them. Justine, you shouldn't be causing a scene."

Justine was about to lash out, but Wayne put an arm around her shoulders, soothing her.

"We didn't explain things well today. It's okay. Justine told me before that Craig is family. If he's family, he should know I'm marrying Justine."

My mother's face darkened completely.

"Justine, is this how you treat my son?"

That caught Wayne's parents off guard—they'd been ready to applaud.

Wayne's mom spoke up. "What do you mean? My son says it's your son who keeps bothering Justine."

My mother was furious and stood up.

"Who said you could speak?"

I quickly pulled her back down and said, "Justine and I broke up a long time ago. I'll be leaving tonight anyway. I'm heading to Brindlewood."

My mother whispered, disbelief in her voice, "Are you crazy?"

I pressed her hand down, shaking my head. Before I could say more, Wayne interrupted.

"Craig, you've looked out for Justine all these years. You're kind of like her big brother. I hope to have your blessing."

I looked up. Usually simple in her style, Justine wore a pink skirt tonight—cute and lively.

But inside, I was calm.

"I wish you both a long, happy marriage. I hope you never let go of each other."

Justine's friends suddenly appeared, popping confetti cannons over them.

"Woo! Congrats to the happy couple!"

One of them glanced at me, shocked.

"No way, Craig. You actually crashed their wedding announcement?"

Then he glanced apologetically at Justine.

"We didn't tell him; someone must've spilled the beans. But with how sweet you two are, I've got to say, the guy sure is thick-skinned."

Their words only confirmed I was here to stir things up.

Justine looked annoyed.

"I knew you'd never learn to behave." She rubbed her temple, then pointed toward the door. "Get out."

Her friends surrounded me, rifling through my things.

"Got anything left to sweet-talk her with? Or are you planning the hundredth proposal?"

They all burst out laughing.

They were right. I had prepared ninety-nine proposals just to make Justine happy.

For three years, I kept trying, never backing down.

But now, I had nothing left.

My mother's eyes welled up. "Get out of here, you little pricks!"

But they barely noticed, pulling a confidentiality agreement I'd signed from my bag.

They laughed, showing it around like it was a treasure.

"Look, he's joining a medical research project, and he'll have to work in a secret facility for ten years."

"Maybe he's threatening Justine that she can't reach him anymore."

I took a deep breath, voice steady.

"Justine, you know better than anyone if the stamps on that paper are real."

After all, their family had plenty of business dealings with Melvin.

Justine opened her mouth to mock me, but the longer she looked, the darker her expression grew.

After a while, her hand trembled. When she looked at me, her eyes were wet.

"Are you serious?"