Chapter 3

3

It was the 1980s, a time of rapid growth and change.

Arizona, vast and sparsely populated, needed development. The government was recruiting volunteers.

Technically voluntary, but there were quotas.

Some were eager, others apprehensive. My name was on the list.

Jenny rushed back from her hometown when she heard.

Last time, I assumed it was concern for me. I catered to her, not wanting to burden her.

Now, I knew better. She was worried about Rick, pulling strings for him.

The next morning, she came home, dew clinging to her clothes.

She said, "Peter, you should be thanking Rick. Get down on your knees and pray for him!"

"If he hadn't volunteered for Arizona, you'd be going!"

Before I could respond, she continued. "He knew how harsh it would be, but he sacrificed himself for our love. He's our hero!"

At first, in my previous life, Rick had thrived in Arizona.

He'd even written to Jenny, boasting about his success.

But then he made a mistake.

He underestimated the locals, thinking he could exploit them. He embezzled government funds, lining his own pockets.

The people, pushed too far, reported him.

Jenny, desperate to save her lover, drained our savings without my consent. She even pawned my mother's heirloom bracelet.

It wasn't enough. She sold our house, the only home I had left from my parents, at a fraction of its value.

All for him.

This time, I wouldn't let them have this opportunity.

I looked Jenny in the eye. "It was a random selection. Don't pretend he's some noble patriot."

"You both have some nerve."

She was taken aback. She frowned. "What's gotten into you? Arizona is a hardship posting. He's suffering out there."

I scoffed. "Rick's never worked a day in his life. You think that spoiled brat can handle real hardship?"

She took my hand. "He saved my life when we were kids. He pulled me out of the river. I owe him. I want to use my wedding money to help him. It'll make things easier for him out there."

Was it really about repaying a debt?

They had a child together, a secret they were hiding. He was running to Arizona to escape the consequences.

If their affair came to light, he'd face jail time, or worse.

I pulled my hand away. "Why can't *I* go to Arizona?"

She dropped my hand, her eyes flashing with anger.

The first time I'd ever seen her truly angry.

She didn't come home that night.

I dusted off my old textbooks, started studying again.

My father had always pushed me to excel.

I'd always been a top student.

I knew I could succeed in that desolate place.

Arizona was a blank slate, full of possibilities. This town was a cage.

Meanwhile, the town was in an uproar.

Jenny had submitted my name, withdrawing myself from the Arizona project and putting Rick forward in my place.

She'd risked everything to send him away.

With Jenny's maneuvering, Rick left for Arizona, just like last time.

The day he left, Jenny finally smiled.

"Peter," she said, "stay here with me. Don't worry about Arizona."

I'd loved her for fifty years, given up my own ambitions to be the perfect husband.

And she'd only ever loved him.

A wave of despair washed over me.

Oblivious, she smiled. "Let's forget everything and start over."

I laughed, a bitter sound. My eyes were cold.

She faltered, reaching for my hand, but I pulled away.

"I understand," I said, and walked away, ignoring her pleas.

I'd always chased after her, catered to her every whim.

Not anymore.

News from Arizona painted Rick as a rising star, a selfless patriot.

But I knew the truth. He would be exposed for his corruption, and Jenny would use my money to save him.

The Arizona project would eventually transform the country, bringing prosperity to everyone.

And I, stuck in this small town, raising their son, would miss out on everything.

Not this time.