In reality, Vivian was just stringing Sebastian along. After all, Sebastian was merely a captain at the time—she wanted to wait for someone better.

I went to the school to inquire about everything needed for university enrollment, including living expenses, before heading home with peace of mind.

Returning to Sebastian's military housing, I heard Vivian's coquettish voice the moment I walked in.

"Seb, you actually rushed back to keep me company instead of staying with my sister. Won't she be angry?"

"I can spend time with her anytime, but you're always in pain during your period. I worry about leaving you alone at home."

Vivian laughed happily, then put on a dejected act. "Seb, will you still treat me well after marrying my sister?"

"Of course." Sebastian's tone was firm. "Who else would I treat well? If your sister treats you badly, I'll divorce her!"

I clenched my fists tightly to suppress the heartache welling up inside. Even with a second chance at life, hearing my own husband speak so coldly about me still hurt.

I composed myself and walked into the house as if nothing had happened. Sebastian emerged from Vivian's room with a trace of embarrassment on his face.

"I-I'm just checking on Viv because she wasn't feeling well."

I hummed indifferently and turned to head to my room. In my previous life, I fought with him countless times over their inappropriate intimacy. In this lifetime, I refused to waste my time and energy.

He called out to me, "Rachel, how about we buy some wedding favors to distribute to the other military wives in the housing complex?"

I looked at him with surprise, then realized this was probably his way of compensating for my unusual silence. "No need. There's no point in such formalities."

He was stunned, probably finding it hard to imagine I would refuse such a proposal.

"Are you angry because Seb took care of me, Rach?" Vivian emerged from her room with a face full of grievance and innocence.

She was wearing the dress I had bought explicitly for our wedding photos—something I saved up half a year for in my previous life but never dared to wear even once.

Seeing my gaze, Vivian frantically explained, "I saw this beautiful outfit by your bedside today and wanted to try it on. I forgot to change out of it."

She lowered her head, wringing her fingers like a child who had done something wrong.

Sebastian instinctively began, "Rachel, don't—"

I interrupted him calmly, "It looks good on you. Keep it. I've never worn it anyway."

I still remembered the faint smell of blood and sweat on that dress, and how I ran home crying in the middle of the night. The memory disgusted me now.

Under their astonished gazes, I returned to my room and locked the door. I pulled out the folder containing my acceptance letter from Southport University.

In my previous life, I wanted to live in Southport, especially Southport University offered my dream major in finance and economics.

In my past life, I gave up my education to support Sebastian and willingly stayed home to care for his parents. This time, I still had a chance, so I wanted to live only for myself.

I flipped through the calendar. There were only ten more days until I could leave this place. Time was tight, but I had to use every minute I could spare.

A sudden knock interrupted my thoughts, and I opened the door impatiently.

Sebastian stood there holding a bowl of noodles, his tone gentle as he said, "You must be hungry. I made you some instant noodles."

I was dazed for a moment. In my previous life, he was either cold as ice toward me or only spoke harshly.

I had not seen Sebastian acting this tender and affectionate in a long time.

"No need. I already ate outside."

"How is that possible? Aren't you always reluctant to spend money?"

His words stung. I used to be reluctant to spend money, living frugally and spending most of my part-time earnings to buy him things.

Now that I was going to university, there would be plenty of expenses, so every penny needed careful planning.

I looked up at him, my tone calm as I said, "I remember a few days ago, I gave you the money to buy wedding supplies. You didn't seem to buy anything. Give me the money back."

He froze, then awkwardly explained, "That money... Well, I already bought leather shoes for Viv with it."

I could not help but curl my lip. How predictable. It was the same old story.

"Well, if there's nothing else, I'm closing the door. I want to sleep."

"I'll give you the money tomorrow." His tone carried some irritation. "We're husband and wife. Do you really need to be so petty?"

I could not help but snort coldly. "So after you use my hard-earned savings to buy things for someone else, I'm not even allowed to be annoyed?"

Knowing he was in the wrong, he still muttered stubbornly, "You're so unreasonable."

I could not be bothered to argue further and slammed the door shut.

Over the next few days, I sold off some worthless possessions—mementos from my previous life that once held meaning. Now they seemed like nothing but cheap junk.

I packed them all up and sold them to a scrap dealer for a pittance.

That afternoon, while continuing to pack, Sebastian appeared before me holding some money.

He stiffly said, "Here's your money."

I took the money and nodded. "Thanks."

He looked at me with mixed emotions, his gaze falling on my packed luggage. "I'm planning to have Viv come with me to the capital. You don't need to pack."

I did not stop packing and simply nodded. He seemed unaccustomed to this attitude from me, appearing somewhat uneasy.

"What's wrong with you lately? You're like a completely different person."

I turned around impatiently. I did not want any complications.

Although Sebastian did not love me, if he discovered that Vivian's name was on the marriage license, he might very well divorce her and marry me for her sake. I wanted no further entanglement with this despicable pair.

"Nothing. I just want to organize my things so I can move back to the countryside after you go to the capital."

He breathed a sigh of relief and explained, "It's not that I don’t want you to tag along. It's just that Viv has never seen the capital and wants to visit. I'll bring you there in a few months."

I nodded absentmindedly. In my previous life, he never sent for me for eight whole years. Only after Vivian married a high-ranking general's son from the capital did he bring me there in despair.

He watched me with unease. Usually, I would talk his ear off about everything and anything when we were alone. Now that I was barely speaking, he seemed on edge.

"Didn't you always want to take wedding photos? Let's go to the photo studio tomorrow."

That would not work for me as I planned to buy university supplies tomorrow. Just as I was about to make an excuse, Vivian walked in and affectionately hugged Sebastian's arm.

"Seb, what photo studio? I want to take pictures too."

Sebastian smiled and patted Vivian's head. "Sure, we'll all go together tomorrow."

"You two go ahead. I have something to do tomorrow."

Sebastian frowned. "What could be more important than taking wedding photos?"

"Let's take the photos first, then I'll go shopping with you." His tone was firm and did not allow for refusal.

Vivian pouted playfully. "Exactly! Rach, you're not avoiding this because of me, are you?"

I did not want to argue further and agreed to go.

Early the next morning, I heard Sebastian coaxing Vivian to get out of bed in gentle, pleading tones from her room. The circle on the calendar reminded me that there were four days left. In four days, I could completely escape this life.

Just when my patience was wearing thin, they finally emerged from the room, taking their sweet time. Sebastian attentively took some water and personally washed Vivian's face.

I must have been blind in my previous life to naively believe that marrying him would make him treat me the same way.

Lost in thought, I watched as Sebastian approached me awkwardly, clutching a ring. "Mrs. Gilbert reminded me to buy you a wedding ring. Here it is."

I did not take it. In my previous life, this ring never existed.

The moment Vivian saw it, she pouted. "It's so pretty! I want one too!"

I generously offered, "Then take it."

Sebastian's face darkened immediately. "Stop fooling around. This is our wedding ring!"

Vivian snatched the ring and slipped it onto her finger, waving it at Sebastian. "Seb, does it look good on me?"

Sebastian gazed at Vivian with pure adoration, nodding with a foolish grin. Then, he turned to me guiltily and whispered, "I-I'll buy you another one next time."

I nodded indifferently. I had heard his promises countless times, yet he never kept them.

At the photo studio, Vivian went first, even taking several couple shots with Sebastian. When it was my turn with Sebastian, the photographer raised his camera but awkwardly lowered it again.

"Oh dear, I’m sorry. I'm out of film."

I secretly rejoiced while maintaining a neutral expression. "Oh well, forget it then."

Outside the studio, Sebastian pulled a train ticket from his pocket and handed it to me. It was a standing-room ticket to the capital, departing in four days.

"I didn’t mean to abandon you. I'll get settled first and wait for you in the capital."

The journey to the capital would take three days and nights. I could not fathom how he expected me to stand the entire way, especially since there was only one military dependent slot available.

Where would I even live once I got there?

However, asking now would not yield any satisfactory answers.

Seeing me accept the ticket, Sebastian visibly relaxed. "Don't worry—even if you don't live in military family housing, you're still my only wife. I'll treat you well from now on. I only see Viv as a sister."

My expression softened slightly. When had he ever spoken such gentle words before?

Suddenly, a car shot out from around the corner, heading straight for us. Sebastian pulled Vivian into his arms and dodged to safety. In the chaos, someone pushed me.

The car was bearing down on me, but my body froze in terror. The vehicle swerved sharply and struck me, sending me flying and dragging me along the pavement.

Pain consumed me as darkness crept into my vision, cold sweat pouring down my face.

The driver frantically jumped out, stammering incoherently, "Miss, how are you? Are you okay?"

A crowd gradually gathered, pointing and whispering. Through the sea of onlookers, my gaze fixed steadily on Sebastian.

At this moment, he was still holding onto Vivian, comforting her. He was completely oblivious to my situation.