Chapter 3

I calmly tucked a pair of rough, padded mittens into my suitcase, explaining,

"They're last year's winter coats. They're cheaper now."

"We're not short on cash..."

Derek grumbled, but didn't seem suspicious.

"It's almost time for the party to start. I'm going to pick up Evelyn and Leo."

With that, he left without waiting for my reply.

Watching the joy radiating from the man's retreating figure, my hands paused their packing.

Then I furiously tied another knot.

Only two more days until I left.

The name-change banquet was held on the base's mess hall.

By the time I'd finished packing and went downstairs, the banquet had already begun.

The lively hall was packed, but there was no sign of Derek or Evelyn and her son.

I pursed my lips, intending to find a quiet corner to sit in.

But then, my sleeve was suddenly clutched tightly.

"Aunt Rory..."

Leo, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, grabbed my hand, his eyes red and brimming with tears.

"I'm sorry, Aunt Rory. Leo didn't mean it that day. I... I have an apology gift for you over there. Can Aunt Rory forgive me?"

A shiver went through me as I remembered the day of the miscarriage.

I frowned, wanting to refuse.

But Leo stubbornly pulled me along, heading towards the backyard storage shed.

"Daddy Derek is there too! He told me to definitely bring you!"

Hearing Derek was there, my guard dropped a little.

Could it be that he wanted to apologize to me but was too embarrassed, so he sent Leo?

I pursed my lips, half-heartedly following Leo to the door of the dilapidated shed.

But it was empty.

Something felt wrong. I immediately pulled my hand from Leo's grip.

"Where is Derek Miller?"

The next second, Leo shoved me from behind, sending me tumbling helplessly into the not-quite-closed shed.

"I knew you still wanted to steal my daddy! Go die!"

The wooden door slammed shut behind me with a loud thud.

The shed was pitch black. I heard the lock click into place, and panic surged through me.

I scrambled to my feet, pounding on the wooden door. "Leo, let me out!"

Suddenly, I heard the heavy breathing of a man behind me.

The next instant, my body was pressed tightly from behind, and the stench of alcohol filled the air.

"You slut, pretty little thing, aren't you brave..."

As he spoke, a pair of thick, coarse hands began tearing at my clothes.

A wave of nausea hit me, and I struggled fiercely.

"Who are you! Let go of me!"

I was pushed to the ground. In my terror, I instinctively kicked and thrashed.

Suddenly, a commotion of footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Leo's crying voice filtered through the wood.

"Aunt Rory and an uncle are fighting without clothes in the shed! Daddy Derek, quickly, save Aunt Rory!"

My mind reeled, a sickening 'buzz' in my head.

The next second, the shed door was kicked open.

Evelyn's shrill scream pierced the air.

"Oh my God, Rory! How could you cheat on Derek with someone else!"

The weight on me suddenly lifted. The man who had been pinning me down was violently yanked away.

I felt nauseated, my vision swimming. The next second, a military jacket was flung over me.

I flinched, looking up to meet Derek's complicated gaze.

"Derek, I..."

I wanted to explain, but then I saw the circle of soldiers and their families behind him.

No one spoke, but their eyes, scrutinizing me, felt like they were stripping me bare.

Evelyn, holding her son and standing behind Derek, actually spoke up.

"Sister, how could you be so foolish? Adultery means execution!"