Chapter 3
As soon as they got home, Lillian’s stomach gave a loud rumble.
She blushed and lowered her head. Leonard chuckled, his voice full of indulgence. “Hungry?”
She gave a small nod. Leonard turned to Evelyn, and his expression instantly returned to cold indifference. “Go make dinner.”
He listed off a few dishes-all of Lillian’s favorites-and added, “She can’t handle spice. Keep the flavors
light.”
Lillian’s eyes lit up. “You still remember what I like after all this time?”
Leonard’s voice turned gentle. “If it’s about you, I remember everything.”
Evelyn looked at them, then slowly raised her bandaged hand. “I can’t cook.”
Her voice was soft. “The doctor said I fractured a bone. It’ll take months to heal-I can’t even hold a knife.”
Lillian sighed with regret. “That’s such a shame. I’ve heard your cooking is amazing. I’ve been eating at the mess hall lately, and I was really hoping for a homemade meal today…”
“It’s fine,” Leonard said, getting up. “If you want to eat, I’ll cook for you.”
Evelyn stood frozen.
She watched Leonard roll up his Army sleeves, forearms flexing as he moved through the kitchen-chopping, stirring, plating. His tall frame in olive green looked strangely out of place in the haze of oil and steam, like a soldier caught in someone else’s life.
He knew how to cook?
The realization sliced through her like a dull blade, slow and painful.
All those years of marriage, she’d assumed he didn’t even know how to boil water. When she was doubled over in cramps during her cycle, she’d still force herself to cook for him. When she had a fever of F°102, she still worried he’d come home to an empty table.
Not once did he think to help her.
Yet here he was, cooking for Lillian-for the very first time.
At the dinner table, Leonard kept placing food into Lillian’s bowl. “Eat more. You’ve lost weight.”
His voice was impossibly soft, his gaze so focused it was like Lillian was the only person in the world. He hadn’t looked Evelyn’s way once.
Then, just as the atmosphere settled into a warm and cozy hum, Lillian suddenly yelped. “Ow! That hurts- Leonard, something bit me!”
Leonard immediately crouched down to check. His face turned grave. “A scorpion?!”
Chapter 3
12.00%
Everyone’s expression changed.
A venomous scorpion bite-if the toxin wasn’t removed quickly, it could be fatal.
But they didn’t have any tools at home, and there was no time to get to the hospital.
Lillian sat frozen, pale with fear.
And then, without hesitation, Leonard lowered his head-and sucked the venom out with his mouth.
“No! Don’t!” Lillian struggled. “Leonard, it’s a scorpion! It could kill you!”
Leonard held her leg firmly, his eyes burning red. “Lillian, listen to me. If one of us has to die… I’d rather it be
me.”
Evelyn stood off to the side, feeling like someone had driven a blade straight through her chest.
She turned without a word and called for the medics.
By the time they arrived and administered antivenom to both of them, a young medic wiped the sweat from his forehead and said admiringly.
“Captain, I know you love your wife, but don’t risk your life like that again! A few minutes later and you really
could’ve-”
An older medic elbowed him and gestured toward Evelyn. “Watch it! That’s the real wife.”
The rookie’s eyes went wide. “Oh-sorry, ma’am…”
Evelyn gave a faint smile. “It’s alright.’
Everyone could see clearly now who Leonard really cared about.
And soon, even the title of “Mrs. Grant” would no longer be hers.
Late that night, Evelyn woke up thirsty and went to get a glass of water.
As she passed the guest room, she saw Lillian dozing off after taking her meds. Leonard sat at the edge of
the bed, speaking to her in a soft voice, telling her a bedtime story.
His voice was gentle in a way Evelyn had never heard before. His expression held a warmth she’d never seen.
After Lillian drifted off, Leonard leaned in slightly-as if to kiss her. But in the end, he only brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “Goodnight,” he whispered.
Evelyn stood silently in the shadows. Her chest ached as if her heart had been hollowed out. The pain spread like wildfire through every vein and bone.
Just a little longer, Leonard.
Very soon, I’ll return the title of your wife to Lillian-just the way it was always meant to be.
Soon, you’ll be able to kiss the woman you truly love without guilt or restraint.
Chapter 3
12.00%
Lillian stayed at the house for several days while she recovered. When her ankle finally healed, she brought out two tickets.
“There’s a performance at the Cultural Center tonight,” she said cheerfully. “I’ll be on stage. Leonard, Evelyn- I’d love it if you both came.”
Evelyn was about to politely decline, but Leonard’s cold gaze swept across the room. “Don’t ruin it.”
Three words. Sharp as ice. Like blades to her chest.
She said nothing and got in the car.
Midway there, Leonard suddenly pulled over at a flower shop.
Evelyn watched in silence as he walked out holding a bouquet of fresh red roses.
They were stunning-full, fragrant, glistening with dew.
And suddenly, she remembered. In all the years they’d been married, not once had he given her flowers. Other husbands at the base gave their wives gifts on anniversaries, tokens of affection.
She hadn’t even received a wildflower.
Once, when she’d hinted that she admired that kind of romantic gesture, he’d told her coldly, “If you’re expecting surprises, you married the wrong man. I don’t do that kind of thing.”
Now she understood.
It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to be romantic.
It was that he’d saved all his tenderness-for someone else.
She had never been the one he wanted to cherish.
When they arrived at the performance venue, they headed backstage first.
Leonard handed the bouquet to Lillian.
Gasps erupted around them.
“Wow, Lillian! Your boyfriend is amazing! Those are imported roses-they’re twenty dollars apiece!”
“Seriously! I’ve been married for years and haven’t gotten so much as a petal!”
“He’s so handsome and usually looks so serious-I didn’t think he had a romantic side!”
In the middle of all the teasing, Lillian blushed furiously. Leonard didn’t correct them. He just looked at her with the softest gaze imaginable.
Evelyn stood at the edge of the crowd, like a stranger who’d accidentally wandered into someone else’s love
story.
Chapter 3
12.00%
