Chapter 2

I especially remember that drunken morning.

Her tear-stained eyes were full of disgust and hatred towards me.

It turned out she had promised Ryan she would wait for him.

And after that night, she felt she was no longer worthy.

She blamed me for ruining her future with Ryan.

Later, she had a falling out with her family over college applications, so I used my parents' compensation money to support her dream.

But that was far from enough.

I gave up my own dream of painting and changed my major to finance instead.

As soon as I entered university, I desperately started looking for part-time jobs.

Sometimes two bread rolls and a glass of water was my entire meal.

But I was happy, because Emily was well taken care of.

She achieved her dream and became the center of attention at school.

As time passed, after so many years together, she no longer despised me as much.

But she still didn't love me.

After graduating, Ryan didn't return.

That day, Emily got drunk again.

I carefully helped her home and was about to leave after helping her clean up.

But she looked at me with hazy eyes, her expression numb.

"Jack, let's get married."

I knew it was just drunk talk.

But I still couldn't refuse her request and agreed.

"Okay, let's get married."

The next afternoon, Emily appeared before me.

Holding our household registration booklet.

Skipping dating and proposals, just like that, we got married.

Her face was expressionless, as if completing a most ordinary task.

I thought my waiting had finally gained meaning.

But I didn't realize this was her way of closing the chapter on her youth.

Much later I found out that morning she had tattooed an "R.T." on her shoulder.

Not for Jack Wilson, but for Ryan Thompson.

On our wedding day, she sent Ryan a photo of the tattoo.

"Even if we can never meet again, I can still feel you by my side."

"Goodbye, my youth."

After marriage, she was often away from home, but I didn't mind.

Because no matter how long it took, she would always come back.

I just needed to wait like I had for the past few years.

That was what I was best at.

Snippets of our time together flashed before my eyes like a film, finally fading into a white light.

When I came to, I found my soul floating in mid-air.

Outside it was bright daylight. The digital clock on the wall told me it was already the next day.

While "my" body lay on the couch, face unnaturally pale.

I had died before the two months the doctor predicted, so quietly.

So what I just saw wasn't a dream, but the flashbacks before death.

The phone rang. It was Emily calling.

But now I was just a soul, unable to answer her call.

A minute later, her text came through.

"I'm waiting for you at the courthouse. Hurry up. Ryan needs someone with him."

"Don't tell me you've changed your mind. I gave you a chance."

About 15 minutes later, the phone rang again.

But still no one answered.

My soul couldn't leave this room, only float in the air silently watching the phone ring over and over.

I felt a bit dejected. During my school years I was busy with part-time jobs.

After graduation I was busy with work.

My whole life revolved around Emily. If no one discovered my body, I'd probably rot here.

The last shred of dignity as an adult was gone too.

Emily would probably be even more disgusted when she saw my body.

Fortunately, the landlord came by in the afternoon to read the electricity meter and found me on the couch.

The moment my soul floated out of the house, it was pulled by a powerful force.

When I came to my senses, I was already floating in mid-air not far from Emily.

She sat beside Ryan's bed, peeling an apple for him.

But her technique was clumsy, nearly cutting herself several times.

Ryan watched her with gentle eyes.

"Jack didn't show up today?"

Her hand paused briefly as she replied, "Don't worry about him. I'll contact a lawyer for a contested divorce once you're discharged."

I smiled bitterly.

It seems she truly had no feelings for me all these years.

Then Ryan asked, "Since you and Jack are getting divorced, can I ask you for a favor?"

She looked up at Ryan with a coquettish gaze, pouting in displeasure, "Do we need to use such formal words between us? It's too distant. If it weren't for you, I probably would have died in that fire long ago."

I was stunned. What fire?

Seeing her reaction, Ryan reached out and ruffled her hair affectionately.

"It's been so many years, how have you not forgotten? Even if I hadn't saved you, the firefighters would have rescued you."

"It's not the same."

"Come on, tell me, what is it?"

Ryan seemed to steel himself, looking at her intently.

"Can you... have a child for me?"