Chapter 114 Return
Danny thought about it, then decided against it. "Actually, forget it. I shouldn't tell you." No point making her worry.
Seeing he wouldn't say more, Matilda asked, "Were you guys special forces before?" She'd done her research—majors in their early thirties like Wentworth were rare, unless they'd racked up serious commendations.
Danny grunted in confirmation but wouldn't elaborate.
"Will he go back to his old position? Or will he stay stationed in Stoneford Town?"
"Depends what the higher-ups decide. If there's an urgent call, he'll definitely get reassigned. But if he stays here much longer, he'll probably retire soon."
"I see."
By Matilda's count, she'd been here over a year now. In a few more months, she'd be transferred back to Phoenix City too.
...
Today's gathering had fewer people than last time. Allie explained that some couldn't handle the hardships out here and had already gone back. One female doctor had nearly been assaulted walking alone at night and got so traumatized she went home to recover. The experience would probably haunt her forever—she'd likely never come to the border region again.
Not everyone had local military and police protection like Matilda did.
The group ate and chatted in a relaxed atmosphere. They were the ones who'd made it through. Allie asked, "Anyone planning to stay here long-term?"
The young guy from last time who'd wanted to stay raised his hand. He'd fallen for a local nurse—totally head over heels—so he'd decided to stay. As for his family, he figured he could visit them periodically.
Matilda thought of Wentworth. If he stayed here, she'd stay. If he left, she'd go back.
...
Meanwhile, in his office, Wentworth stared at an urgent transfer order on his desk. It ordered him to report back to the special forces unit by tomorrow, with a helicopter departure in two hours.
He thought of Matilda. Called her phone—no answer. Called Danny's phone—also no answer. Since it wasn't appropriate for Danny to attend Matilda's gathering, he'd gone off to some gaming arcade by himself.
Wentworth left Matilda a message: [Honey, I got urgent transfer orders. I have to leave today. Probably a new mission. Once it's complete, I'll contact you again.]
Two hours later, he'd packed his things and left Briarford County by helicopter.
...
When Matilda got back in the car and saw the message, her mind went blank for a second. Just like that? He's gone?
Danny was stunned too. "The captain left without taking me. Now I have to trek halfway across the country to find him again."
"Danny, will he ever come back here?" Matilda asked.
"Probably not. He'll only be able to visit you when he's on leave. You know some military wives? They see their husbands three times in four years."
Matilda fell silent.
...
Back in Stoneford Town, Matilda suddenly felt like something was missing. Like there was a hole in her chest. They'd barely consummated their marriage before being separated.
Stoneford Town without Wentworth was like an ocean without water, a night sky without stars. Her life had lost so much of its anticipation.
But life had to go on.
Shortly after returning, Danny left too. He packed up some of Wentworth's things and gave them to Matilda. She put them by her bedside, planning to take them back to Phoenix City later.
Her days filled with seeing patients, making house calls, promoting social insurance to villagers, sometimes going to the town elementary school to do health checkups. She and Ethan grew closer again, like when they were kids—not romantic, more like siblings.
Ethan was completely smitten with Carol, but Carol still hadn't opened up to him.
As the year drew to a close, Matilda's transfer orders arrived. She'd be returning to Phoenix City after the New Year.
Before leaving, she invited Ethan and Carol over for dinner. The three of them sat in the old clinic's courtyard, drinking a bit.
Carol sighed. "Time flies so fast. When I met you last year, it feels like yesterday. And now we're already saying goodbye."
"You can come visit me in Phoenix City. Come with Ethan—we live in the same building, just different floors," Matilda said.
Carol glanced at Ethan but didn't respond, just took another drink. Ethan stayed quiet too. They'd obviously discussed this before without reaching any conclusion, so Matilda knew not to push.
Feelings were hard for outsiders to influence.
Carol clinked glasses with Matilda. "Either way, here's to your bright future. Don't forget to come back and visit."
"I probably will. This place has too many good memories." Matilda meant all the places she and Wentworth had been together. And of course that beautiful night—the happiest day of her life, with her love and her friends.
At one point, Ethan excused himself to use the bathroom. Matilda turned to Carol. "Carol, I actually think you and Ethan are really compatible. You should consider him."
"He'll go back to Phoenix City eventually. His world isn't mine."
"You haven't even tried. How do you know it's not yours?"
Carol just smiled without answering. Matilda took the hint and dropped it.
...
Before leaving, Matilda went to Mrs. MacAllister's house one more time, giving her all the small appliances and secretly tucking some cash under her pillow. By the time Mrs. MacAllister found it, Matilda was already at the county seat.
From the county she'd take a bus to the airport, then a three-plus-hour flight to Phoenix City. As the plane circled over Phoenix City, Matilda looked down at the sea of lights below and felt like she'd been gone a lifetime.
The neon lights she'd missed, the high-rises...
Outside the airport, she headed to the taxi stand. Once in the cab, the driver asked where she was going. She paused, then said, "Sunshine Gardens."
If that was her and Wentworth's home, why not go back? She'd promised him they'd face whatever came together. That couldn't just be empty words.
Forty minutes later, the taxi pulled up to Sunshine Gardens. She got out and looked up at the sixteenth floor. No lights on. She took a deep breath and wheeled her suitcase inside.
...
Everything in the apartment was exactly as she'd left it. No one had touched her things. The bracelet Holden gave her, the necklace from Charles, the household items Wentworth had bought—all still there.
She walked first to the guest room where she used to sleep. Then, thinking better of it, she changed direction and went to the master bedroom. If they were husband and wife, they should share the master.
Not long after Matilda returned, someone went to report to Amelia.
"Mrs. Gonzaga, Mr. Wentworth Gonzaga's ex-wife is back."