Chapter 7 Before I could refuse, my mentor led me outside.
A tall, handsome man in a military uniform stood before me, making me feel instantly intimidated. I reflexively saluted.
My mentor seemed pleased, âThis is my son, Luke. Heâs your age, so you donât need to be so formal with him.â
She began to introduce me further. âThis is my most accomplished student, Anna. Itâs not easy for a girl like her to be out here.
You take care of her a bit more, donât let anything happen to her. If she does, Iâll hold you accountable!â
Lukeâs face showed some helplessness, and he repeatedly agreed, âI know, youâve told me so many times on the way here, my ears are almost sore from hearing it.â
Watching their interaction, I couldnât help but smile.
I knew that trying to act tough in such a dangerous environment was the most foolish thing to do, so I just followed my mentorâs advice and said, âComrade, Iâll rely on you from now on.â
He froze for a moment, his bronzed face turning slightly red as he replied seriously, âItâs not about guidance, serving the people is my duty.â
After the introductions, my mentor pulled me aside and whispered, âBy the way, thereâs something I need to ask you. Didnât you tell your husband you applied to be a part of the Doctors Without Borders mission?
He was looking for you at the hospital a while ago. I thought he knew, but I didnât want him to be affected by it. Is that alright with you?â
I shook my head, âItâs fine. He has no right to interfere with my choices. Iâm not worried about him.â
The airport here had long been closed due to the war, and only relevant personnel could be here.
Even if Henry knew, it wouldnât matter.
Besides, right now, he only cared about Nancy and their child. He had no time to worry about me.
âThatâs good, I was worried it might affect your relationship,â she said.
12.47 The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights 1 pressed my lips together, looking toward the smoke filled horizon and said in a low voice, âWeâll soon be strangers?
I knew Henry wouldnât agree to a divorce, so I planned to live separately for some time, and when the time was right, I would go back and file for divorce, Heither of us had a chance of reconciliation.
Time passed, and a year later, I left the battlefield, which had signed a ceasefire agreement, and returned to my home country, Once back, I had nowhere to go, so I booked a room at a hotel near the airport.
1 knew it wouldnât be long before I would be sent to another country that needed our help.
After checking in, I finally had a good rest.
The next day, full of energy, I went to meet Luke as planned. He had made the reservation, and I just had to show up, I left half an hour early to avoid being late.
But when I walked into the restaurant, the first person I saw wasnât Lukeâit was Henry.
Henry clearly didnât expect to see me here, and his eyes quickly flashed with surprise before they softened with the joy of finding me again. âAnna, is it really you?â
âYouâve come back... I missed you so much.â
His eyes were red, full of attachment.
Henry stepped forward excitedly, wanting to reach out to me.
I calmly took a step back, avoiding his touch.
In contrast to his excitement, I felt only coldness and distance.
Henry, provoked by my actions, his eyes turned red, and his voice cracked with emotion, âAnna, ever since you left, Iâve been waiting for you to come back. Every day without you, I went to the temple on the mountain to pray for your safe return...â
12:47 The Runed Velvet Nights Chapter 7 Saying this, he pulled out the precious peace amulet he had kept, offering it to me like a treasure.
âLook, Mom used to say that this templeâs prayers for peace are the most effective. I specially went. to pray for you...â
Before he could finish, a cute little girl suddenly ran in from outside the restaurant, shouting, âMom!â
The little girl laughed and ran over, immediately throwing herself at my legs.
I softened my previous cold demeanor, crouching down to wipe the sweat from her forehead, âWhat did you play with dad? Why are you all sweaty?â
Upon hearing this, Henryâs face suddenly turned pale. He stared at us in disbelief and stammered, âAnna, who is she? Why is she calling you mom?â