Chapter 9 The wedding wasn't some big fancy affair just a simple ceremony in a small chapel on base . Most of the guests were fellow soldiers and military leaders . Simple , but solemn and sacred . When we exchanged vows , he held my hands with that steady , gentle look in his eyes , his voice strong and clear . " I will love you , protect you , and be faithful to you for the rest of my life , just like I love my country . " I smiled peacefully , with this quiet strength that comes after weathering storms , and responded clearly . " I will love you , respect you , and understand you for the rest of my life , just like I understand my mom . " The moment those words left my lips , sunlight broke through the clouds and filled the chapel with golden light . For a second . I could swear I saw Mom standing there in that beam of light . She was wearing her favorite uniform , looking just like she did when I was little , with that gentle smile on her face , quietly watching me . Aty eyes got watery , but I couldn't help smiling . Mom . can you see this ? found my path , and I found someone to walk it with me . ' m going to be okay , just like you always wanted . the years flew by in a blur of gunpowder and antiseptic smells . My work took me from one dangerous , war - torn area to another . No longer was I that little girl who needed Mom's secret protection - now I'd become the guardian angel that countless people looked up to . eading medical teams deep into active combat zones became my specialty , setting up field hospitals in bombed - out ruins , snatching lives back from death's grip The people I saved were more than I could count - soldiers and civilians alike . After one particularly brutal border conflict , my medical team got orders to enter small town that had just been shelled . The place was nothing but rubble and suffering . n the corner of a house that had been almost completely flattened , we found a man who was badly hurt . fis left leg was blown to pieces below the knee - just a bloody mess where it used to be . My team and I immediately started working to save him . Wille I worked , I kept talking to keep him conscious , " Hang in there ! You're doing great ! " The managed a weak smile , his voice shaky but strangely calm , " It's ... it's okay ... I've seen ... worse than this ... " I kept working while asking . " You've been through something more dangerous ? " His eyes looked far away , lost in memories " Years ago , there was dus terrorist attack " " A female soldier saved me and a bunch of other people . " " She found the bomb and told all of us to run while she stayed to defuse it " We'd just gotten far enough away when the whole thing exploded " I still remember what she said while she was cutting those wires . " 22:21 O From Beloved Daughter to Dead Burden " Now Watch Your Perfect Family BURNI 23.7 % Chapter 9 " This time I might really have to hide for the rest of my life . " I suddenly turned away , my shoulders shaking uncontrollably as tears poured down my face . After I finished crying , I felt more determined than ever . My stitching got faster and my breathing steadier . My reputation as someone who could cheat death spread even further across the battlefield I kept stealing people back from death , and rumors spread that even the Grim Reaper had to step aside for me . Time passed , and my dark hair eventually turned white . Years later , I was lying in a hospital bed at the main military medical center , surrounded by all the students I'd trained over the years . They stood there quietly crying , saying their final goodbyes . My breathing became slow and deep , my consciousness fading as my whole life flashed before my eyes . Suddenly , my clouded eyes brightened a little , and I managed to smile like a child , pure and innocent ' Mom ... I found you ... " I could see Mom opening her arms to me , her eyes full of endless love and pride , gently embracing me . A warm , familiar voice traveled across all those years and whispered softly in my ear . 'Another round of hide and seek goes to Betty ... " With a satisfied smile , I slowly closed my eyes . This time , the game was really over . And I'd finally WON MY PRIZE . 22:21 O