Night fell.


    Justin wiped Be dry and dressed her in a silk nightgown. He carried her up and ced her gently on the bed before tucking her in.


    He was a considerate husband, caring for his lover well.


    His callus-filled hands once strived in the military academy, fought on the battlefield, and struggled in the corporate world. Yet now, the same pair of hands handled Be in the gentlest manner.


    He did not wake her up.


    Be was fast asleep, whimperingfortably at times.


    She was pure delight.


    Justin swallowed hard and leaned over to caress her hair. He kissed her forehead and her lips.


    Then he left the bedroom and went to the balcony.


    Savrow experienced a bitter winter at the end of December, while Sentania enjoyed a gentle, moist breeze.


    Justin pondered deeply at Be''s words before taking out his phone and dialing a long-forgotten number.


    "Holy shit! Did my eyes deceive me?" A man''s shocked voice came on the line. "I can''t believe I''m still on your mind, Justin."


    Justin took a deep breath, his voice filled with resignation and remorse. "I''m sorry. It''s been years since west got in touch. This is rude of me."


    "Don''t say that, brother. I have never deleted your number. I''ve been waiting for the day you would contact me. I have always hoped that you haven''t forgotten me, my friend."


    The person on the other end of the


    line softened his voice and choked. "We fought to keep our countries safe. Even though we were on different teams, we fought alongside each other and formed a friendship on the battlefield despite our nationalities and ages. Those experiences continue to inspire me


    to this day. I will never forget them."


    "Me too. I can''t and never will forget those experiences." Justin''s veins bulged, and hisshes fluttered as he gripped the railing.


    "The battle was brutal. We lost many beloved brothers-in-arms."


    The man sounded dejected, his voice hoarse. "That''s not the only thing. We were diagnosed with severe PTSD. It took me especially long just to function as a normal human being."


    Justin hung his head low, and his breathing became heavy.


    No one could get used to death.


    As one familiar face after another fell before his eyes, the overwhelming shock and pain took Justin three full years to gradually ovee. During this time, they had not been in touch. One was living in Savrow, while the other resided in Sentania.


    It was not that Justin did not want to, but he was afraid of disrupting the man''s recovery. His presence may trigger painful memories.


    "Either way, it''s all in the past.” Justin curled his lips in relief. “From the sound of your voice, I know that you have made it out.”


    "We aren''t ordinary people. We are decorated veterans!" The man was proud.


    "I''m not. I''m just a businessman and an ordinary husband." Justin could feel his eyes welling up.


    "Oh, my. Are you married? How could you not tell me?!"


    Justin beamed. “Not yet, but soon. Will you attend my wedding?"From N?velDrama.Org.


    "Of course! I''ll get there even if I have to swim from Sentania." The man asked Curiously, "Are you getting marded to the little dove you always dreamed of?"