Chapter 3

"I'll explain for Nelson," Raine said.

Beatrice's body was shaking as she signed furiously, her anger clear in every gesture. "I don't need your explanation! I want to hear it from him."

But Raine didn't understand sign language, either. She just looked at Beatrice with pity in her eyes.

She was pitying Beatrice.

Tears stung Beatrice's eyes.

The way Nelson and Raine looked at her, as if they felt sorry for her, cut deeper than any wound. It was like a knife twisting in her chest.

At that moment, Beatrice started to regret everything.

Why hadn't she just died?

Why didn't she die in Narsten…?

If she had died there, at least she would not have to suffer like this.

Her fingers trembled as she lowered her hands, finally giving up. All the pain and the physical torment she had endured when she was captured by terrorists, none of it could break her.

But this attack on her spirit was true hell.

"When Professor Jonathan Smith first took on the medical mission to Narsten, Nelson didn't want you to go. You two had just gotten married. You were his whole world, and he didn't want you risking yourself. But you insisted, chasing after your so-called dream, your so-called peace, and your own heroic individualism. You had to go," Raine began, her voice filled with bitterness.

Now, she was blaming Beatrice.

"Raine," Nelson interrupted, rubbing his forehead, his voice low as he asked her to stop.

"It was so easy for you. You just signed up and left. Did you ever think about Nelson? When news came that your team was in danger, he lost his mind. He drank every day and searched for you..."

Raine's eyes reddened.

Beatrice's hands shook as she looked at Nelson.

Back when she took that mission with Professor Jonathan, Nelson had actually supported her. He had told her, "Beatrice, I support all your decisions. I'll wait for you to come back."

It was those words that carried her through everything.

The only reason she survived was because Nelson held that place in her heart.

"I admit, the way I got together with Nelson wasn't the most glorious. But I don't regret it. I love him. I had his daughter... I don't care if he still loves you. I believe that, one day, he'll love me," Raine said, her voice full of pride.

Like a winner boasting of her victory.

"I insisted on having the baby. I was there for him when he was at his lowest, when he thought he couldn't go on. I was the one who got through to him, so he agreed to be with me—to give our daughter a real family."

Raine picked up her daughter, almost showing her off.

"How old are you?" Beatrice wrote and showed it to the little girl.

"Five." The girl could already read, answering confidently.

Beatrice stared numbly at the child. Five years old. That meant Nelson had cheated on her before she left for South Andas.

So much for all those promises.

They meant nothing now.

"This is my home," Beatrice wrote with trembling hands.

"I know you and Nelson bought this place together, but it's out of your hands now, Beatrice. You have to accept reality. I'll pay back whatever you put into the house, but now, I'm Nelson's wife. I hope you'll understand and let us be."

Raine laid it all out.

She wanted Beatrice to end the marriage herself.

"Nelson and I have already packed up all your things. They're in the basement. If you want anything, that's where you'll find it."

With that, Raine took her daughter and went back to their room.

Beatrice stood in the doorway, numb and in pain…

It really was painful.

In the past, the living room had been filled with photos of her and Nelson. Those were the memories of their youth.

Now, the shelves were lined with pictures of Nelson, Raine, and their daughter, and toys...

Nelson used to be a neat freak, always keeping the place spotless. Now, children's toys and clothes were thrown all over.

So, he could live with a mess after all.

Nelson hadn't tried to defend her. Not once. He had just let Raine say everything he didn't have the courage to say out loud.

"Come in..." Nelson said quietly, not daring to meet Beatrice's eyes.

She didn't move. She just looked down and wrote, "No, Nelson. I want to go home. If you can, please take me back to Lyra Bay."

That was her parents' home.

Even if she had no husband left, at least… She still had her parents.

Nelson's hand tightened on the doorframe. He looked down, his eyes turning red. "Beatrice... I'm sorry."

Beatrice stood there, numb, her eyes searching Nelson's face for answers.

What had happened? Why had the police hesitated to say anything? Why wouldn't Nelson tell her the truth?

"Your parents… They passed away in the second year you went missing."

Nelson hung his head low, his tears hitting the floor.

The world went black for Beatrice—she felt something explode inside of her mind. Her soul and body were torn apart by pain.

She could barely remain standing, and wrote desperately, "What happened?!"

What exactly happened to them?

Her parents had always been quite healthy, and she was their only child.

They were both public officials with only a few years from retirement.