Chapter 2: A Life Rebuilt

It took five hours to travel from Hoginia to my hometown by train.

Over the next three months, I tried to rebuild my life.

At night, I stayed by Frank’s side so my parents could rest.

Over the years, they had taken care of him alone and had grown old before their time.

Unfortunately, Frank’s condition kept worsening.

At first, he received the best treatment in Etriset.

Later, the doctors said further treatment was unnecessary.

He would remain in a vegetative state for the rest of his life.

It was enough for him to receive basic care in a hospital in a second-tier city.

During the day, I worked as a special education teacher, helping children with autism.

At night, I took care of Frank.

During my five years with the Mason family, I had studied everything about autism.

I taught myself and enrolled in a part-time graduate program.

The children at the school were not only my students but also my research subjects.

Every day was busy.

I still had to make time to write my thesis.

Life felt full and peaceful.

But sometimes, I had nightmares.

In those dreams, the scent of cedar and sandalwood surrounded me like a cold mist.

After a shower, Zachary’s cool body would press against mine.

Water dripped from his skin onto mine.

The coldness slowly turned into heat, almost burning me.

After we got married, we made love almost every night whenever he was not abroad.

At first, I resisted him.

I believed our marriage was only meant for me to become Erik’s legal mother.

Zachary once asked me, 'Didn’t you enjoy it?'

Moonlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting shadows in his eyes.

His face was handsome yet distant.

His body was strong and well-built.

Whenever he held me tightly, I felt overwhelmed by his presence.

I had to admit, he could give me pleasure.

In those moments, I felt like I was floating on clouds.

But every time I woke up, I felt weightless and uneasy.

My heart would race, and my clothes would be soaked with cold sweat.

Yet the hospital ward brought me a strange sense of comfort.

The blue walls, the white bed, and my brother lying in a coma.

As usual, I moistened his dry lips with a cotton swab.

But something felt different that night.

A faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air.

Confused, I turned around.

In the corner of the room, I saw a tall figure dressed in black.

A familiar voice spoke calmly.

'It's me.'

Zachary had come.