Chapter 2
It was clear that this notebook had been frequently opened, as the pages had begun to yellow.
A thought sparked in my mind. I opened the notebook and was immediately confronted by a collection of love letters. They were meticulously numbered, adding up to an impressive a thousand letters. Each one began with the phrase, “To the light of my life.“>>
The very first letter was dated shortly after our wedding, during a time when I was suffering from the trauma of my kidnapping and couldn’t sleep at night.
Richard, on the other hand, had claimed to be busy with military duties, but in reality, he had come here to express his longing for Margaret. His concise yet powerful words overflowed with a quiet and profound love. Inside the envelope, he wrote that they had been neighbors and had grown up together.
They were separated for several years due to policy changes and this trip to the countryside was the first time they could meet again.”
I recalled how, during the summer and winter breaks over the years, Richard would often take leave to visit Boreal Capitol. On those days, all the fabric and food ration tickets we had saved would mysteriously vanish, leaving me with only scraps of cloth and meager meals.
The back of the notebook was filled with numerous photographs, all of Margaret. They captured her transformation from an eight–year–old girl to an eighteen–year–old young woman.
Richad had been meticulously recorded all those. Within these pages, I discovered numerous photographs of the two of them together and in every one, Richard’s gaze was invariably directed at Margaret.}
In our marriage, apart from our wedding photographs, every time I suggested we visit the photo studio, Richard would decline, citing his aversion to having his picture taken.
It was not a lack of fondness for photographs, but rather that the person he desired to capture in them was not me.”
Then, at the bottom of the stack, I came upon a final photograph.>
It captured Margaret, standing joyfully at the entrance of Solarium University, while Richard gaze at her with unmistakable affection, an acceptance letter clutched in his hand.
I stared at the university in the image, my heart heavy with the knowledge that this opportunity was meant for me… yet it had been stolen away by them.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, prompting me to hastily hid the notebook aside. As I rose to my feet, tears flowed down my cheeks once more.}
When Richard entered the room and saw my distress, he swiftly placed his cup down and enveloped me in his embrace.}
“Eve, why do you cry? Are you feeling unwell? You’re making me worried.“}
I looked up at Richard, trying to catch a hint of fakeness in his expression. But there was none. He appeared completely sincere.}
Turns out, love could indeed be forged. Too bad, I no longer desired it.}
With a calm demeanor, I pushed Richard away and casually muttered an excuse. “It’s nothing, just a bit of morning sickness.“}]
“I’ll head back now; you take your time eating.” With that, I turned away, ignoring his surprised gaze as I left the room.
On my way home, I registered for the upcoming rural work program in the Great Corona Plains, set to commence in five days.
For the rest of my life, I would raise my child in vast, open lands. As for Richard, if he loved her so deeply, then I would facilitate his happiness.”
The next morning, Richard continued his routine of buying sweetened soy dessert. After just a few bites, he told me that there was an urgent matters that require him to be at the base.}
I simply looked down at the desert bowl, bitterly amused.
Once, I had believed he simply enjoyed sweet flavors, so I had accommodated him. It was only yesterday, upon perusing the notebook, that I realized this was Margaret’s favorite.}
I had repeatedly expressed my preference for savory food, yet he had never remembered.}}
After pouring the entire dessert bowl down the sink, I stood up and made my way to the Registry Office.
The staff informed me of the latest policy enacted at the beginning of the year: as long as both parties signed the divorce agreement, the marriage could be dissolved.
