Chapter 2

2.

I picked up the application from the table. In the blank for the bride's name, I wrote Jocelyn Hunter.

Then I walked to the gates and prepared to get into the military jeep.

Elias instinctively reached for the papers, but I dodged him.

"I'm heading to the Colonel's office anyway. You're busy, so I'll just drop them off."

He gave me a suspicious look.

"What's gotten into you today?"

"Whatever. Do what you want."

I smiled but said nothing.

I probably was going crazy.

Because in this new life, I was finally letting myself be free.

Inside the jeep, we both remained silent.

Maybe the quiet made him uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and actually spoke first.

"I... I heard the arts troupe is performing tonight. If things aren't too busy at the base, I'll take you to see it."

I looked at him in surprise.

In my past life, I was the one who begged him to go.

Back then, his face was tight with annoyance.

"I married you because my parents forced me, not to play house. You'd better remember that!"

So this time, I hadn't said a word.

Seeing me dazed, a flicker of irritation crossed his brow.

"If you don't want to go, fine―"

"I'll go!"

I interrupted him.

"Of course I'll go."

Seeing the corner of my mouth twitch upward, he opened his mouth as if to say something, but ended up just starting the engine in silence.

"Wait for me after dinner then..."

Before he could finish, a girl from the arts troupe ran toward the jeep in a panic.

"Captain Jenson! Something happened to Jocelyn!"

The jeep screeched to a halt.

"I have to go check. Head back on your own."

I nodded gently.

"Okay. Go quickly."

He was clearly in a rush, but hearing my calm response made him stiffen. He turned back slowly.

"You're... not jealous?"

Bitterness filled my chest. If being jealous worked, I wouldn't have wasted ten years of my life last time.

Before I could answer, he gave me a cold warning. "I don't care what game you're playing. You'd better cut it out!"

He turned and hurried away.

He didn't notice the sorrow and loss in my eyes.

In both lives, I never once tried to stop his favoritism toward Jocelyn.

I knew that his heart was something I could never earn.

I walked back alone. As soon as I entered the courtyard, Elias's mother heard the noise and came out.

She greeted me warmly.

"Sylvie! Did the Colonel approve the application?"

She looked behind me and frowned.

"Where's Elias? Why didn't that boy come back with you?"

I forced a smile and made an excuse about him having a last-minute emergency at the base.

His mother's face immediately soured.

"That brat! Is work more important than his own wife? Just wait until he gets back, I'll give him a piece of my mind!"

Elias's father shook his head helplessly.

"That boy is getting out of hand. Sylvie, please don't take it to heart."

Standing there, my eyes started to sting.

It had been ten years since I felt such a warm atmosphere.

If it hadn't been for Elias turning against them because of me in the past life, they would have always treated me like their own daughter.

I wanted to tell them the truth.

But the words wouldn't come out.

Finally, I took his mother's hand and spoke softly.

"Mrs. Jenson, thank you and Mr. Jenson for taking care of me all these years."

"I'll definitely pay you back."

She laughed and scolded me gently. "You silly girl, what's with all this talk about paying us back? Having you as a daughter-in-law is enough to make me happy."

I didn't say anything else, just squeezed her hand.

In this life, I wouldn't be Elias's wife.

That way, he wouldn't have to compromise. He could chase his true love and live freely.

And his parents wouldn't have to spend their lives being blamed by their son for forcing a marriage.