Chapter 5 

Early the next morning, I could hear Jason trying to coax Kate out of bed. 

The bright red numbers on the calendar reminded me: four days. 

In four days, I would be free from this life. 

By the time they finally emerged, I was about to lose my patience. 

Jason fussed over Kate, pouring her hot water and washing her face. 

I had been so blind in my past life, foolishly believing that he would treat me the same way. 

Lost in thought, I barely registered Jason nervously approaching me, a small box in his hand. 

“Mrs. Davis said it’s fashionable to wear wedding rings now. I bought you one.” 

I didn’t take it. There was no ring in my previous life. 

Kate, upon seeing the ring, immediately pouted. “Ooh, pretty! I want one!” 

I waved my hand dismissively. “Take it.” 

Jason’s face darkened. “Don’t be silly, this is our wedding ring!” 

Kate snatched the ring and slipped it onto her finger, flashing it at Jason. 

“Jasony, doesn’t it look good on me?” 

Jason gazed at Kate with pure adoration, nodding dumbly. 

Then he turned to me, guilt evident in his eyes. 

“I’ll… I’ll buy you another one later.” 

I shrugged. 

I’d heard his empty promises countless times. None had ever been kept. 

At the photo studio, Kate went first, even taking a number of photos with Jason. 

When it was our turn, the photographer raised his camera, then lowered it awkwardly. 

“Oh, sorry, I seem to be out of film.” 

I silently cheered, keeping my face neutral. 

“Oh, well. Never mind then.” 

As we left the studio, Jason pulled a train ticket from his pocket and handed it to me. 

10:48 am 

As we left the studio, Jason pulled a train ticket from his pocket and handed it to me. 

It was a standing–room–only ticket to New York, leaving in four days. 

“I’m not trying to leave you behind,” he said. 

“I’ll go get settled, and I’ll be waiting for you in New York.” 

The trip to New York was three days and three nights. I didn’t know how he expected me to manage standing for that long. 

Besides, there was only one spot for a spouse to accompany him. 

Where was I supposed to stay when I got there? 

But asking these questions now wouldn’t get me any good answers. 

Seeing me take the ticket, Jason visibly relaxed. 

“Don’t worry. Even if you don’t live on base, you’ll still be my only wife.” 

“I’ll treat you well from now on. Kate is just like a sister to me.” 

I softened slightly. He had never spoken such sweet words before. 

Suddenly, a car swerved around the corner, heading straight for us. 

Jason pulled Kate into his arms, dodging out of the way. 

In the chaos, someone pushed me. 

I saw the car coming right at me, but my body froze in terror. 

The car swerved at the last moment, clipping me and sending me sprawling. 

Pain shot through me, my vision blurring. 

The driver jumped out of the car, frantically asking, “Ma’am, are you alright? Are you okay?” 

A crowd began to gather, murmuring. 

My gaze found Jason through the throng of people. 

He was holding Kate, comforting her, completely oblivious to me. 

Or maybe he noticed and simply didn’t care. 

I gave a bitter laugh, the last flicker of hesitation extinguished. 

So much for “treating me well from now on.”