Chapter 8
He was no longer the sharp, erect officer I once knew. His stubble was scruffy, his hair a mess, and his eyes bloodshot.
When he saw me, confident and well–dressed, he tugged awkwardly at his wrinkled shirt.
The moment our eyes met, his turned red and moist.
“Gracie, I finally found you.
“Can we get back together? About Luna… it was my fault. I failed her, but I didn’t know she…
I let him finish, but his excuses were pathetic.
I looked him straight in the eye.
“You didn’t know? Really? I called and sent telegrams. Where were you? Off having a good time with Dorthy and Allen?”
Even now, the memory of Luna’s haggard face stirred a deep resentment within me.
Antonio suddenly leaned in, grabbing my wrist.
“I was wrong. Please give me another chance. I’ll make it up to you, and we can have more children.
“I know Allen lied to me. I know Dorthy pushed you and whispered those cruel things to you. I’ve kicked them both out. I even let the boy change his surname back.”
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But none of those mattered. It was just too late.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and met his gaze with resolve.
“No, Antonio. It ended the day we lost Luna.”
He fell to his knees, breaking down in sobs.
He seemed crushed by the weight of my words and the finality in my gaze.
“Gracie, I love you. I only helped Dorthy because we grew up together.
“I never loved her or cheated. I never even touched her. What you heard that night wasn’t real. You fell into her trap. I passed out, and nothing happened.”
But I didn’t care anymore.
I yanked my hand back.
“Don’t touch me. You disgust me
Antonio’s face went pale.
I figured he would leave then since soldiers couldn’t just abandon their posts.
But he stayed. He rented a place hearby and waited outside my dorm every day. Somehow, he got my class schedule and always followed me, asking about my day.
This lasted for six long months, and I had been trying to avoid him.
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The last time I saw him, it was raining.
He looked much thinner, his eyes swollen and red from crying.
“What do you want to eat today? I’ll go get it for you,” he asked, his tone almost pleading.
I held Luna’s urn close, my voice steady. “Let’s take Luna for a walk around campus.”
Antonio stared at the urn. He blinked hard, but tears came.
“Okay,” he whispered.
By the time we finished, his shoulders were soaked from the rain, and he was trembling from the cold.
I began softly, “Luna was such a sweet girl.
“You know, the one thing she wanted most was to visit the military base where her dad worked. Back then, I started a fight with you because she missed you so much.
“She once told me she could only remember seeing you six times. But that was enough for her to think you were the most. handsome man in the world.
“Antonio, let’s end this on good terms.”
Antonio gasped and started to waver.
He then clenched his fists, his voice barely audible. “Okay, Gracie. I’m sorry.”
I never saw him again after that.
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Later, I heard about a body found in a river near the outskirts of Beudale. They said it was a military officer and he had been drinking before he jumped in. No one seemed to know what mistake had cost his career.
brushed my hand over Luna’s ur.
“Let’s go, sweetheart,” I murmured. “I’m taking you to our next stop.”
