Chapter 2

The car sped onto the highway. Valentina said we’d be there in an hour or two.

Derek put his arm around my shoulder.

“I owe Valentina. Years ago, she jumped into that freezing river to save me, almost drowned, and it left her unable to have children. I owe her everything.”

“Hmm,” I hummed in response.

Seeing my cold expression, Derek said nothing more.

A while later, Valentina's phone rang.

She answered it immediately.

“Hello? Liam?”

I felt Derek’s hand on my shoulder instantly stiffen.

“I just wanted to come see you. I have a surprise for you.” Valentina’s voice was sickeningly sweet. “Wait for me, I’m on my way to Alaska right now. Don’t be scared, I’ll transfer thirty years to you as soon as I get there…”

After she hung up, Derek immediately asked her,

“Who’s Liam?”

Valentina’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.

“Oh, just a college friend of mine. He’s pretty pathetic, only two years left on his countdown.” Valentina answered casually. “He was always good to me, so I want to help him.”

Derek’s temper flared instantly.

“You’re using my wife’s life to help your friend?!”

Valentina snapped impatiently.

“Derek! Why are you so nosy?!”

She shot Derek a venomous glare through the rearview mirror.

“I jumped into that river to save you back then, and it left me unable to have kids! This sixty years of time, you and your wife owe me!”

She pointed at the glaring numbers on the back of her hand.

“It’s my time! I have the right to do what I want with it! I’ll give it to whoever I please! You have no right to tell me what to do!”

Derek’s body jolted, as if struck by an invisible whip.

The color drained from his face, his lips trembled, and he finally lowered his head.

“Got it.”

Valentina scoffed, ignoring him, and slammed on the gas. The car accelerated.

The only sounds in the car were the oppressive silence and the roar of the engine.

After more than two hours of driving, the car finally reached the foot of the Alaskan mountains.

“Get out!”

Valentina’s voice was harsh.

We got out of the car.

I stood still, my gaze fixed on an inconspicuous gentle slope.

Derek noticed my pause.

“What’s wrong? Not feeling well?” he asked me.

I shook my head, looking at the slope.

“Nothing. Just remembering my childhood.”

Valentina pulled out her phone.

“Liam! We’re here. Tell me the exact location, I’ll find you!”

She strode forward first, and Derek hesitated for a moment before following her.

A little while later, Derek said to me,

“I still have a year left. I’ll transfer half a year to you! No! I’ll transfer ten months. I don’t want you to die.”

I looked into his eyes, seeing fear and regret there.

I gently removed his hand from mine.

“No need. Keep it for yourself.”