MasukEmily turned pale and scrambled to explain."Arthur, it's not what you think! Let me explain."That man came here to blackmail me. He's lying!""Enough!"Arthur's eyes were red, his voice hoarse."For two lifetimes, you've been leading me around by the nose!"For you, I hurt my wife, I mistreated my own daughter, and I threw away my future!""It's not like that, Arthur. Let me explain!"Arthur refused to hear another word of her excuses and walked out.Now all he could think about was me and Isabelle.He kept showing up outside the gates of the Academy of Astronomy.But the place was heavily guarded, and Professor Hartley had personally ordered that Arthur be kept away."Christina! Isabelle!"He shouted through the fence, his voice raw."Please, just let me say a few words!"I know the whole truth now. I know I was wrong!"After finishing up at the institute, I was walking to the gate with Colin when I saw Arthur on his knees outside.When he saw me coming, he looked up sharply, his ey
Colin stepped to my side and quietly positioned himself half a step in front of me.He turned a cold gaze on Arthur, who seemed to be coming apart."Colonel, I suggest you behave yourself."Arthur shot me a look full of hatred, then turned unsteadily and fled the banquet hall.I paid him no more attention.The first thing I did the next morning was file for divorce.Emily said, "Arthur, don't let her scare you."I bet Christina just can't bear to stop being an officer's wife. She got someone to put on a show to scare you."If she were really that powerful, how could she have been content to stay in our little town for ten years?"Emily's words convinced Arthur that I was only bluffing.He ignored every summons to appear in court.When a court clerk finally showed up at the barracks in person, Arthur was sitting glumly on the edge of his bare wooden cot."Officer Banks, these are the divorce papers Dr. Lowell filed. Please look them over."Arthur's eyes went wide."When did she file the
Colin frowned and glanced at Arthur, who looked like he'd seen a ghost."Dr. Lowell, this is Officer Banks from base security."I followed Professor Hartley over to the officers and dipped my head in greeting."Dr. Lowell is a national treasure. Too bad some people can't see what's right in front of them."As he said it, Professor Hartley glanced at Arthur, whose face went white."Oh, and this Colonel Banks is your husband, isn't he? You haven't seen each other in a while. I'm sure you have a lot to talk about."I followed his gaze and looked at Arthur as if he were a stranger."Long time no see, Officer Banks."Arthur stared at me in disbelief."You... what are you doing here?"Since when do you have a doctorate?"He'd never known that side of me in our last life. I laughed softly."Before I ever met you, I was a student at the Academy of Astronomy."I wanted to put my family first, so I moved to that little border town with you."But I never gave up astronomy. I've been sending the A
Life in Miami grew harder for Arthur by the day.Guard duty at the base was dull and exhausting. He spent all day outside, exposed to the wind and sun.He'd been appointed a colonel, yet he stood guard at the base gate beside new recruits every day. The humiliation ate at him.Emily complained constantly, too. Wind and rain came through the little motel on the edge of town, and her job at the pharmacy was dirty and exhausting.Her hands were cracked, and nothing remained of the gentle, graceful woman she used to be.The two of them fought every few days, and it always ended with Arthur slamming the door and walking out.Arthur tried to work his way up, but every transfer request he put in vanished without a trace.Every time he asked around, he was told to wait a little longer.He even wondered again whether I was working against him behind his back, but then he decided it was impossible.What could that woman do besides keep house? Throw a tantrum? That was about it.Meanwhile, the as
The car had already turned the corner. Arthur leaned out to look again.All he could see was busy traffic. There was no sign of the familiar figure anywhere.Emily flinched at his shout and followed his gaze.The street was full of strangers hurrying by."Arthur, are you sure it wasn't someone else?"If you can't bear to leave her, I... I'll give her my spot back."Arthur frowned and looked away, irritated."It's nothing. I'm not going to miss her."But his mind kept racing. He was sure the woman he'd glimpsed was me.He thought about how strangely quiet I'd been these past few days and the suitcases in the corner. His unease grew.Emily reminded him gently."Don't overthink it. You've got all her ID papers."Without them, she can't board the military transport to Miami."Arthur relaxed a little."It's fine. I've just been tired lately. I must have seen someone else."When Arthur got to his temporary quarters in Miami, the first thing he did was call home.But no one ever picked up.He
It was evening, and school had let out, but Isabelle still wasn't home.I came out of my room. Arthur, Emily, and Lucy were nowhere to be seen.My heart started pounding. I had a feeling something terrible was about to happen."Christina! Come quick. Arthur's lost his mind!"A neighbor came rushing in.I followed her and ran all the way to the hospital.The moment I reached the door, I heard Isabelle crying in terror."No! I want my mom!"My heart sank. I rushed in and saw something that made my blood run cold: Arthur was trying to drag Isabelle into the transfusion room."Get away from her. Don't touch her!"Isabelle saw me, burst into sobs, and threw herself into my arms."You've got some nerve crying. If you hadn't pushed Emily, she wouldn't have gotten hurt. What's wrong with giving her a little blood?" Arthur scowled and reached to pull Isabelle away.Sobbing, Isabelle tried to explain to me."Mom! I didn't! Mrs. Carter grabbed at me out of nowhere."I got scared and jumped out of







