Chapter 2 The first time I ever heard Julian speak of "true love," he was using it to describe Violet. Julian never knew that the day he asked me for a divorce, I hadn't thought of making a scene. I hadn't even thought of clinging to him. All I had wanted to say was a plea not to send me back to my hometown alone. The thought of that isolation was too unbearable. But the more desperate I felt, the harder it was to form a complete sentence. My words failed me, and only heavy tears tumbled down face. my It was then that Leo Hawthorne stepped forward. He was the son of Julian's fallen comrade, whom Julian and I had adopted after his father's death on a mission. I had always known that the boy disliked me-was even ashamed of me. So when Julian brought up divorce, Leo rushed forward and shoved me aside. His voice was sharp and cruel. "You're just dead weight! A burden! How much longer are you going to hold Dad back?" "Get out! Get out of our house! Aunt Violet is coming soon! She'll be my real mom! I don't want a fool for a mother!" Julian hated the sight of my tears as well. In the end, he sent me away. Sent me back to The Old Cottage, where I died. I broke into a cold sweat. The memory-or perhaps the premonition-was so vivid that it chilled me to the core. I didn't want to die. So this time, I pushed Julian's hand away and waved quickly. "No, thank you, Julian. I'd rather not. For the first time, a flicker of confusion crossed his face. Before he could ask, two men in uniform came in and saluted him. They reported a new mission assignment. Julian gave me a hurried farewell, reminding me to take care of myself. I watched his back as he walked away. If my memory served me right, it was during this very rescue operation that he would first met Violet. Chapter 2 14.29%