Chapter 2

Soren finished the sentence and pressed a hand to his chest, letting out a soft cough.

Corinne immediately pulled Soren into her arms, her eyes brimming with concern. However, his words had also reminded her of something. I was a man who did not belong to this era. Without her, I had nowhere to go.

The thought turned her expression cold with disgust.

"Emric! I knew you'd pull this again, just like you always do. I already told you this is only about helping Soren fulfill his dream. Do you really have to put on this act and drag things out?"

She scoffed sharply, "If you want to leave so badly, then leave right now. I'd love to see where you'd go."

I stood where I was. A cold draft slipped through the window and blew right past me.

I watched the two of them walk away and let out a quiet, bitter laugh.

She kept insisting that this was all about fulfilling a dream, yet the fresh marks on her neck told a different story.

It did not matter. In two more days, I would be gone from this place for good.

The next morning, I woke to noises coming from the living room.

My body clock had long since trained me to rise early, though the dull ache in my chest seemed a fraction lighter than the day before.

I walked out to find Corinne directing a team of movers, having them carry several boxes labeled Soren's Personal Belongings into the master bedroom. Sunlight streamed in and fell across her busy profile, and there was something strangely matter-of-fact about the whole scene.

"You're up?"

She did not even lift her head. Her tone was as flat as if she were commenting on the weather.

"Soren isn't doing well. His doctor said that if he stays in a positive emotional state, there's a chance the cancer could go into remission. So I'm having him move in. I want to give him a home first."

"And what about me?" I asked. My voice came out so calm that even I was caught off guard by it.

Corinne finally set down what she was doing and turned to face me. She looked faintly annoyed, as though she found the question unnecessary.

"The guest room. You practically live in the study anyway. Besides, Soren needs someone close by to take care of him. It's more convenient this way."

I did not argue. I just nodded and quietly made my way to the study.

The bookshelves were filled, most of them taken up by volumes I had spent years collecting on ancient agriculture, irrigation, and mathematics. I had originally planned to wait until Corinne and I were married and settled, then organize them properly. Perhaps one day they would actually prove useful.

As it turned out, these books had become my only comfort and the only thing I could truly call mine.

That afternoon, Soren was brought over.

He still looked the same, sickly and fragile, propped up on the couch while Corinne fussed over him like a devoted wife, attending to his every need.

"Emric, I really am sorry for the trouble, and taking over your place with Corinne like this."

Soren smiled weakly, though his eyes carried a glint of quiet triumph.

I ignored him and continued packing in silence. There was not much to pack, in truth. Most of what I owned belonged to this world and was tied to Corinne in one way or another. None of it could come with me.

Still, for reasons I could not quite name, I did not want him tainting what little I had left.

Corinne noticed me going through everything and finally frowned.

"Emric, what are you throwing a tantrum about now? Soren's already moved in. Can you please act like an adult?"

My hands went still. I looked up at her.

It was the first time I had ever looked at her like this, without love, without hurt, without resentment. It was the way someone might look at a stranger passing by on the street.

"I'm not throwing a tantrum," I said evenly. "I'm just sorting through some things."

"Sorting through things for what?" Suspicion flickered across her face immediately.

"You're not still thinking about leaving, are you? Emric, let me make this clear. You walk away from me and you’ll have no one in this entire city. Where exactly do you think you'd go?"

From his spot on the couch, Soren let out a mocking laugh. "Don't tell me this is the part where you say you can go back to your own time, Emric.

"That little fairy tale might work on Corinne, but the rest of us aren't buying it. If you've got a problem with me, just say so. I'll leave. You don't need to keep making up stories."

Corinne's face darkened completely. "Emric! How much longer are you going to keep spouting this ridiculous nonsense? Soren is this sick and you can't even let him have a little peace of mind?"