Chapter 170: Empty Heart

Logan stepped off the plane and was greeted by a light drizzle in late summer. The soothing smell of wet earth made him relax for a moment. A little man who would be his driver today to Riley's house had just opened an umbrella near the plane's stairs, preparing to cover him. Logan actually had absolutely no problem walking in the rain. It was really refreshing and could relieve a little of his anxiety which was getting thicker.

"Thank you. Before we go to Riley's house, I will pick up my son at his day care."

The man nodded after handing the umbrella handle to him. Logan walked slowly behind the man to his car, which was parked near the hangar. He inhaled strongly the scent of summer which was about to fade and be replaced by the cold, gray scent of autumn. Time passed so quickly, and he hadn't been able to call Landon back.

"Please come in, sir."

The man grabbed the handle of his umbrella and opened the passenger door. Logan got into the car and sat quietly watching the rain fall harder and harder. His heart suddenly filled with anxiety. He would daydream for a long time until he arrived at daycare. He'd been so busy lately that he didn't have time to daydream. Because whenever he had time to daydream, his memory would surely be thrown back to the day he woke up feeling empty and sad because Landon was gone forever from his life.

When he opened his eyes that morning, he found Riley sleeping beside him and hugging him. He lost his orientation for a moment. He woke up like a man who had just been born and was confused. He didn't even know what day it was and how long he had been asleep. When he was busy looking for the calendar in his room, Riley suddenly woke up and smiled very sweetly at him. Riley hugged him tightly and called out Landon's name, not his. He let go of Riley's hands in his arms and told her he was Logan, not Landon.

The sweet smile on Riley's face suddenly disappeared. He could see the disappointment in Riley's eyes as the light of her happiness dimmed into a gloomy glow. Riley was probably surprised for a moment. She looked at him deeply with a blank stare in confusion at the situation. Maybe Riley didn't expect to see him that morning. Maybe Riley had planned something beautiful with Landon. Whatever it was, his presence that morning had turned Riley into a gloomy woman. Riley looked disappointed to see him that morning, but she quickly changed her face to a happy one and then hugged him in a very cold hug. There was absolutely no warmth in that hug. Then his eyes accidentally saw a ring on Riley's right hand that looked like it wasn't a gift from him. He didn't give her a gold ring, it was white and still banded around Riley's left finger. So clearly it was Landon's ring and his guess was very true that something had happened during his very long sleep.

That morning, Riley told him that he had been asleep for a week and Landon had been using his body to carry out his daily activities. His last memory with Riley was when Riley had just entered Archer's room to see their son. And after that he didn't remember anything anymore. Landon had taken over his body to create beautiful things with Riley. He couldn't even believe it when he heard Riley's story that she and Landon had just had wedding vows at a stone church outside town. Riley told him about the ring given by Landon. Riley then cried in front of him and said that she wanted Landon and him equally. Riley couldn't choose between the two of them. But, life was so cruel. Neither he nor Landon could live in the same body forever. One of them must be dominant to control the body. And Landon had already decided to back off.

Logan exhaled slowly, creating wet dew on the windshield of his car which was knocked very hard by the raindrops that spilled outside. He hoped to see Archer as soon as possible to relieve his anxiety at the thought of Riley and Landon. The two of them had seized all of his attention for the past month. Even though Riley pretended to be fine after that day, the cheerfulness on her face didn't look very sincere. Riley wanted Landon back. And Riley was secretly trying to find out from him every time they talked on the phone. There were questions that implied that Riley was looking for Landon. But he always answered with something that disappointed her, that Landon had disappeared from their lives.

"We've arrived, sir."

The car stopped right in front of the daycare building where Archer was cared for every day. The building looked deserted from the front. The swing rocked gently in the rain and wind. The sandbox where the children play was full of water. Some of the brown sand spilled onto the grassy road. No children playing in the yard as usual. Logan took an umbrella and stepped outside to greet the maddening rain. He walked on the sidewalk and tried to avoid puddles that would get his shoes wet. A woman with a butterfly hairpin greeted him at the door with a sweet smile.

“Mrs. Riley has called and told me that today you are going to pick up Archer.”

Logan nodded slightly. He had heard the story from Riley about Landon having picked up Archer before without her knowing. Now Riley had to confirm with Archer's nanny here if he would come to pick him up, so there wouldn't be any misunderstandings like before.

About five minutes, Logan waited for Archer to come out of the inside of the daycare. The boy jumped up and down happily to see him standing in the doorway holding an umbrella. The nanny, Ms. Ana, trying to catch up with him, who had dashed toward his father while spreading his arms wide.

"Daddy! Why didn't anyone tell me you were coming?"

"It's a surprise."

Logan kissed the top of his son's sweaty head. He could imagine all the things Archer was doing here today. Archer must have been running around with his friends all day, making him sweat, and his hair was limp.

"You left your bag, Archy."

Archer grimaced. Mrs. Ana, panting, approached him carrying his bag.

“Oops, I'm sorry. I'm so excited."

Logan took Archer's backpack from Ms. Ana, then nodded slowly before leading Archer out to his car.

"Where's mommy?"

“Preparing for Aunt Ella's wedding. Tomorrow you will walk to the altar carrying a basket of flowers to accompany Aunt Ella, who will walk to the altar with your grandpa."

"Oh yes, I know. Aunt Ella is moving out of the house,” Archer looked sad.

“You can visit her at her new house. We can go on vacation to Aunt Ella's new house in Atlanta."

"You promise? But mom seems really busy."

Logan opened his car door and placed Archer carefully in the passenger seat. Today he did not bring a car seat. So he was forced to hug Archer tightly in the back seat.

"Where are we going after this?"

"Pick up your mother to the hotel where Aunt Ella is getting married tomorrow."

Logan folded his umbrella, then slid into the car to join Archer. It was still raining heavily in Charleston City. His shoes and the hem of his pants were wet because he couldn't avoid the splash of water hitting the pavement hard.

"Daddy, daddy, daddy! Today is Thomas's birthday. His mother made a very delicious cupcake and shared it with us. I got a cupcake with cars on it.”

Archer spoke excitedly on Logan's lap. He seemed so happy to be near his father. And Logan realized it. He felt guilty for not being able to be with his son every day. He and Riley should have started taking their relationship seriously for Archer's well-being.

"You want a cupcake for your birthday too?"

"Can I? Mommy is very busy. I want us to live together again like we used to.”

"You want to live in New York?"

Archer nodded enthusiastically. Logan felt terrible for not being able to provide a complete family for Archer. He had to persuade Riley to legalize their marriage, then they would live together as one family. It didn't matter that that night Riley already had wedding vows with Landon, and not with him, he and Landon were the same person. It made no difference now whether it was Landon or him. He and Riley were officially married before God.

"I'll talk to your mother later."

"Mom said you were so busy."

I'm not busy.

But instead of saying that, Logan just nodded his head to agree with Archer's statement. To be honest, he hadn't been busy lately. He worked within reasonable limits, and he should be able to visit Archer whenever he wanted. But he was giving Riley a chance to think. It seemed that Riley was experiencing inner turmoil which had made her gloomy recently. And he did not prevent her from returning to Charleston that morning when Riley was standing in front of his room with a small bag slung over her shoulder.

"I'm going back to Charleston."

"Why all of a sudden? Everything is fine, right?"

Logan held Riley's shoulder, feeling sad and angry because Riley's decision was too sudden. And Riley was clearly avoiding eye contact with him.

“I got a call from my friend to come back to campus immediately. I'm sorry, Logan."

Logan narrowed his eyes suspiciously. He didn't trust Riley's words completely because she sounded dishonest.

“Ever since I woke up that morning, you've suddenly changed. You chose to go back to your room instead of sleeping in mine. You're avoiding me too. Are you mad at me for causing Landon to leave?”

"I never blamed you. It was all Landon's decision. I'm glad you're back."

Riley let go of Logan's hand on her shoulder and moved away. She pretended to slide the bag strap over her shoulder, then waved her hand clumsily as a farewell.

“I will go to the airport with your driver.”

"Go. I'll ask my pilot to get ready."

They said nothing more. Riley turned around and walked away without even looking at him.

Logan closed his eyes, holding back the pain of every memory of that day flashing through his head. How could loving someone be this painful? And worst of all, he was jealous of his own personality. Not in another man who clearly has a different physical form. He was jealous of Landon! All this craziness made his head dizzy, so he felt lazy about living his life lately.

He kept thinking about how his love story would end. During the time he lived, he felt little love. Most didn’t work. This time he managed to reach a higher point than the previous stories. Maybe there were only a few steps left to prevent his love story from ending sadly. And it depended on him. How could he convince Riley that he and Landon were the same person? Riley could get Landon if Riley was willing to stay with him to build a strong household, which was his dream all along. He should have pursued Riley tenaciously and not be as passive as he had been for the past month.