Third Person's POV

Halle’s expression shifted to disbelief.

A young man in his early twenties charging headfirst into danger, even when faced with bullets, defying every instinct of self-preservation—it seemed unreal, almost inhuman.

But Darlene’s next words unraveled the mystery.

“That boy,” Darlene said, “had nothing but hatred in his eyes when he looked at those poachers.”

Her voice softened as she continued, “Later, we found out it was tied to something from his childhood. Terence once had a pet dog named Lucy. After his parents divorced, it was just the two of them, relying on each other to get by.”

With a sad smile, she continued, “He was malnourished back then—thin, pale, and an easy target for bullies at school. One day, those bullies set their sights on his dog and when it was finally found, it was already too late.”

Darlene paused, her tone heavy. “Terence told us those poachers are no different from those cruel people. They skin innocent animals and take their lives for profit. To him, they’re monsters who deserve nothing but death.”

A cold wind swept past them, but Halle’s heart felt warm.

So that’s why Terence threw himself into this dangerous line of work with such reckless abandon. She’d been wrong. Someone as brilliant and driven as him wouldn't stop for her.

The realization stung, but it also brought clarity.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. She turned to Darlene and asked, “Captain Benson, you keep saying ‘we.’ Who’s the ‘we’ you’re talking about?”

Before Darlene could answer, Terence’s voice sliced through the stillness of the night, startling them both.

“Halle!”

Halle barely had time to react before Terence grabbed her arm, his eyes flashing with a warning.

“Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t,” he said coldly. “You don’t need to know about these things.”

Quickly, Darlene stepped forward and positioned herself between them. She shook her head gently and said, “It’s all in the past, Terence. It’s fine. Halle isn’t an outsider anyway.”

But Terence’s gaze was sharp, like an arrow tipped with barbs. The look he gave her pierced her heart, and when he finally turned away, it left a chill behind.

His message was clear: Halle was an outsider to him.

Those shared memories, the history between them—they weren’t hers to know.

The days passed quickly. Each morning, Halle buried herself in sorting through her belongings.

With only three days left before her departure, it was time to decide what to keep and what to leave behind.

Her hands then paused over a bracelet. The wooden beads shimmered faintly in the light, and a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She’d gotten it when she first came to Tanzania, a blessing for safety and smooth journeys.

She’d bought two, hoping the red thread connecting them would symbolize a bond. One was hers, the other she’d given to Terence.

But she’d never seen him wear it.

After a long moment of hesitation, Halle sighed and slipped the bracelet back onto her wrist.

'Forget it. I paid for it, didn’t I? I’ll wear it for the blessing, nothing more. The whole ‘red thread of fate’ thing doesn’t matter—he never wore his anyway. What difference does it make if I wear mine alone?' she decidedly concluded in her head.

Just then, a sudden memory struck her—she’d made a wish to wishing well once. Before leaving, she needed to fulfill it.

Driving to the wishing well, she was startled to see Terence there as well.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone sharp as their eyes met.

“I should be asking you that,” he replied, his brows furrowing slightly.

“I’m here to make a wish,” she snapped, brushing past him.

His hand instinctively moved to the bracelet hidden beneath his sleeve. Anxiety flickered in his chest.

“What wish?” he asked, his voice low.

Terence knew the last time she’d made a wish here, it had been for their relationship—to pray for a bond that would last forever.

Ignoring him, Halle tossed a coin, closed her eyes, and bowed her head in silent prayer.

The wind tugged at her hair, scattering it around her face. Seeing it, Terence found himself unable to look away, mesmerized by the quiet determination etched into her features.

In her heart, Halle whispered, 'I wish Terence a life of peace and happiness. May he and Captain Benson find their happily ever after.'

When she opened her eyes again, she noticed Terence watching her intently.

But she didn’t stop to acknowledge him. Turning on her heel, she started walking away.

Before she could take more than a few steps, Terence reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Third Person's POV

“Why are you running away?” Terence asked.

Halle sighed, her breath swirling in the cold mist.

“I’ve already made a wish. Why wouldn’t I leave?” she stated as a matter-of-factly.

Terence frowned, his expression stiff. There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice as he asked, “Aren’t you curious about my wish?”

Halle shook her head and looked at him with a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Terence, you’re not that important to me. Also, you don’t have to worry. I won’t bother you anymore.”

The tension between them, sharp and unyielding like two locked blades, lingered long into the evening.

Outside, several large tables were set up for a grand feast. A local ethnic dance troupe had even been invited to perform.

As Halle and Terence entered the camp, they bumped into Darlene, who was carrying a bowl and a spoon.

The lively atmosphere caught Halle off guard.

“What’s going on out there? Why’s it so lively?” she asked, still trying to process the scene.

Terence opened his mouth to explain, but before he could say a word, Halle grabbed Darlene’s arm and dragged her outside.

“Captain Benson, tell me what’s happening!”

Darlene chuckled, freeing one hand to playfully tap Halle on the forehead.

“You and Terence had another fight, didn’t you? Is that why you’re sulking?”

Halle stayed silent for a moment, her smile fading into something more bitter. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

“Look over there,” Darlene said, gesturing with her chin.

Halle followed her gaze to see a group of young people in white coats stepping out of an SUV.

“It’s the new batch of volunteer doctors,” Darlene explained. “Every year, a new group comes to help in Tanzania. Some volunteer out of passion, others to boost their careers. But not many stay beyond a year because of the hard conditions here.”

Halle nodded knowingly. Life in Tanzania was no joke. Even basic things like taking a shower were a challenge as one had to draw water first before one could do so. Also, at night, one couldn't sleep deep due to the massive population of mosquitoes around.

Yet she had endured these for three years.

Perhaps her love for Terence had burned so brightly that it dulled the hardship, making her believe that as long as she could see him, life felt sweet despite the bitter hardships.

After dinner, Halle ran back to her room, carefully cradling something in her hands. She rushed to find Darlene and presented her with a handmade Maasai beaded ornament—a traditional symbol of blessings for love and unity, often given at weddings, rituals, and community events in Tanzania.

Holding her present, she gratefully said, “Captain Benson, thank you for taking care of me these past few years. You made this camp feel like a warm, welcoming home.”

Darlene’s eyes sparkled as she accepted the gift. “Well, aren’t you sentimental all of a sudden?”

She smiled warmly but wondered, 'Is this meant for this kind of occasion?'

Before Darlene could say more, Terence appeared out of nowhere. His eyes landed on the knot, and his expression was unreadable.

“Why does she get a gift?” he asked. “Where’s mine?”

His words felt like a dagger, striking Halle squarely in the heart.

He knew how she felt about him, yet he still said something so cruel. Asking her for a Maasai beaded ornament—a blessing for happiness in love—felt like forcing her to acknowledge his relationship with someone else.

Tears pricked her eyes as she stood up, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion.

“Fine! I’ll prepare your gift too,” she choked out before turning and walking away. Her clenched fists trembled, a clear sign of the storm she was holding back.

Behind her, Darlene’s voice broke through the silence, scolding Terence.

“What’s wrong with you? That poor girl gave me a gift to express her gratitude, and you just had to come in and ruin it. Now she’s upset because of you! Can’t you read the room for once?”

Terence snorted, crossing his arms. “Ungrateful brat. Who’s helped her the most around here? Me! So what if I ask for a gift?”

His tone carried a petulant edge, almost like a childish complaint.

Listening to Terence’s almost teasing rebuttal, Halle felt her chest tighten. It was as if the air had been sucked out of her lungs.

Third Person's POV

The conversation outside her room felt like a private exchange between lovers, with Halle as the unintentional third wheel.

She had never seen Terence like this before. Normally, he was all sharp edges—a constant frown and cold, unfeeling eyes. She had grown used to that version of him, believing he treated everyone the same.

But seeing him now, with his guard down around Darlene, was jarring.

It was clear that when people truly care for someone, they drop the pretense, exposing their most vulnerable selves. And Terence had made it abundantly clear who held his heart.

There were only two days left now. Tomorrow, Halle would leave Tanzania for good.

She glanced at the small gift box holding the Maasai beaded ornament she had spent the night stringing. A pang of sadness welled up inside her.

A sudden knock at the door broke her thoughts.

When she opened it and met Terence’s gaze, she instinctively hid the box behind her back.

This was the first time in two years he had come to her door.

Terence’s eyes swept the room, landing on the scattered clothes atop her bed. His heart suddenly clenched.

“Why are you packing?” he asked, a trace of unease in his voice.

Halle bit her lip and forced a smile. “You don’t need to worry about that. Your focus should be on Captain Benson and whatever plans you two have. Don’t waste your energy on me.”

Terence raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You already know? I wanted to surprise you,” he admitted with a smile.

That smile struck Halle like a blow.

Was news of his marriage to Captain Benson supposed to be a surprise for her?

The joy on his face was unmistakable as if he couldn’t wait to tell the world how happy he was. His cruelty wasn’t just in the announcement—it was in the way he delivered it, leaving no room for doubt or hope.

As such, her resolution solidified. By tomorrow, she would be gone, and none of this would matter anymore. It would just be a dream—a bittersweet, fleeting dream.

Steeling herself, Halle brought the gift box out from behind her.

But before she could say anything, Terence’s phone rang. He turned away to take the call, his expression shifting the moment he answered.

The voice on the other end was urgent. “Captain Bacchus, Captain Benson’s leg wound is infected. She’s in a lot of pain and can’t move. She might not be able to go on the mission.”

Terence’s brow furrowed deeply. “I’ll be there right away.”

Hearing this, Halle tucked the gift box into her pocket, grabbed the medical kit, and marched to the door.

“What are you waiting for? Let’s go!” she called over her shoulder.

Terence, momentarily stunned, quickly followed her.

After some basic treatment, the infection seemed under control.

“She shouldn’t move for now,” Halle advised the surrounding team members.

On the bed, Darlene tried to sit up despite the pain, her forehead slick with sweat.

“That won’t work,” she said firmly. “The poachers are set to move at dawn. We need to prepare our ambush this afternoon.”

Terence’s expression darkened as he snapped, “You’re staying here to recover. That’s an order!”

His frustration was palpable, his tone brooking no argument.

For the first time, Halle noticed the thin sheen of sweat on Terence’s forehead, despite the cold wind. It wasn’t from exertion but worry—a side of him she rarely, if ever, saw.

Darlene, however, was less than pleased with his decision. The two of them began arguing fiercely, their voices rising.

Eventually, Terence ordered everyone out of the room—including Halle.

Halle lingered outside, clutching the gift box in her pocket as she paced nervously.

The shouting stopped after a while. Curious, Halle peeked through the window.

Inside, Terence was gently wiping sweat from Darlene’s brow, his face etched with worry and tenderness.

It was a stark contrast to the Terence she knew.

Not when she was held at gunpoint during their first meeting. Not when she got lost in the mountains, drenched and terrified.

The Terence she saw now was someone entirely different—a man who showed his care openly, without reservation. But it was the care that was never meant for her.