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.

Third Person's POV

Terence always seemed so composed.

Halle once thought it was because his job had trained him to handle anything with unshakable calm. But now, she realized it wasn’t composure—it was indifference.

After all, when you truly love someone, how can you remain so unbothered?

Lowering her gaze, she couldn’t bear to watch the sweetness unfolding inside the room any longer.

Quietly, Halle placed the small gift box on the wooden table by the door.

Inside were two things: the Maasai beaded ornament she had strung as a blessing for him and a goodbye note tucked beneath it. The note carried only a single sentence: [Terence, I’m leaving. I wish you happiness, and I hope we never meet again.]

Originally, she had planned to give it to him the day she left. But now, today felt like their true farewell as Terence was on a mission that afternoon and likely wouldn’t return anytime soon.

The sun was low in the sky, casting a golden hue, by the time someone picked up the box.

Terence smiled as he recognized it—he’d seen Halle holding it before. It was probably the gift he had jokingly pestered her for.

Before he could open it, the sharp sound of a car horn interrupted him.

“Captain Bacchus! Get in the car! We’re running out of time!”

Glancing at the carefully wrapped box, Terence gently slipped it into the inner pocket of his coat, making sure it stayed clean and untouched by dust.

Hidden behind a tree, Halle watched him leave, letting out a quiet sigh as tears streamed down her face.

“Goodbye, Terence,” she whispered.

This was likely the last time she would ever see him.

Tanzania to Washington was thousands of kilometers apart—a distance too great to cross again. Once missed, it would be forever.

Wiping away her tears, Halle turned and walked back toward the camp. On her way, she ran into a group of newly arrived support doctors.

“Dr. Dolton!” one of them called out excitedly. “Could we get your autograph? We both came here because of you!”

Halle froze, caught off guard.

“Me?” she asked, pointing to herself in disbelief.

“Of course!” they gushed. The two normally serious doctors had transformed into starstruck fans.

“Your three years of service here in Tanzania have been such an inspiration. Your story is posted on our university’s honor board—and even made it onto social media a few times! And everyone online is obsessed with your love story with Captain Bacchus!”

Hearing that, Halle managed a faint smile, though she could feel how bitter it was. She accepted the pen they handed her and signed her name on their white coats.

“Thank you, Dr. Dolton! We’ll treasure this forever!” they said, their eyes sparkling with excitement.

Seeing how thrilled they were, Halle couldn’t bring herself to tell them she was leaving soon. She didn’t want to dampen their enthusiasm for volunteering in Tanzania.

If only they knew—she wasn’t as strong or brave as they imagined.

When Halle returned to the camp, Captain Howell stopped her.

“Halle!” he called out. “Your transfer application was approved. You can start packing.”

She turned to accept the papers he handed her, meeting his slightly regretful gaze.

“Oh, come on, Captain Howell,” she said, patting his shoulder in a playful attempt to lighten the mood. “It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Don’t get all sentimental on me!”

Captain Howell, one of the first people to join the station, was now an older man with graying hair that reflected his years of dedication.

“Will we, though?” he muttered softly, almost to himself. Then he shook his head. “Anyway, thank you for sticking it out here for three years. It’s not an easy life,” he said with a sigh. “Your contribution has been a huge help to the team.”

Halle smiled faintly, though guilt tugged at her heart. She didn’t feel nearly as deserving of his praise as he made her out to be.

Third Person's POV

“I’m not that noble. I stayed here all this time… for…”

For Terence.

Halle left the thought unfinished, but they both knew what she meant.

“No matter the reason, this place will always be your second home,” Captain Howell said with a warm smile. “If you ever come back, I’ll throw a grand party just for you.”

Halle chuckled softly but didn’t respond.

Three years had passed, and there was plenty to pack. By the time she had everything ready, the sky was already starting to brighten.

Her ride was waiting downstairs. She took the compass from around her neck and placed it gently on the table.

She had carried it with her for three years, but now that she was leaving Tanzania, it was no longer needed.

Even if she found herself in danger, Terence, thousands of kilometers away, couldn’t come to her aid. Or perhaps by then, he’d be newly married and too preoccupied to think about her at all.

Breaking the last connection between them, Halle picked up her suitcase, walked out the door, and got into the car.

She had arranged for an early departure, knowing her teammates would still be asleep. Apart from that, Halle also hated goodbyes and didn’t want to see tears shed over her leaving.

The red SUV sped northward, disappearing into the valleys just as the sun began to rise.

Along the way, Tanzanian antelopes grazed peacefully, wolves roamed the open fields, and their howls echoed faintly through the mountains.

Halle smiled to herself, feeling an unexpected sense of peace. Her time here hadn’t been wasted. Watching the animals thrive, running free across the land, her heart felt full.

At that moment, she understood why Terence had been so steadfast all these years.

Her thoughts then drifted back to the night Darlene had shared a story by the water’s edge. The resentment she’d been carrying suddenly melted away.

Now, all she hoped for was that Terence could catch the poaching ring he’d been chasing and finally find peace within himself.

The wind swept through the mountains, brushing her hair lightly.

For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw the young man who had once rushed toward her without hesitation. He had short-cropped hair, and that day, the rain had been heavy, the wind biting cold. Yet his hands, holding the gun, had been steady. She remembered being cradled in his arms, the sound of stepping into wet ground mixing with his steady breathing. The faint scent of tobacco clung to him, strangely comforting, making her want to linger there forever.

But now, this wilderness would have new stories to tell.

As for the dream born in the name of love, it was time for her to let it go.

At the airport, the boarding announcement for her flight echoed through the terminal. Halle dragged her suitcase and passed through security. But just before stepping onto the plane, she hesitated, as if wanting to hold onto something. But there was nothing left to keep.

As the plane soared over the mountains, she opened the window shade. Below, thick clouds blanketed the ground, merging with the vast stretches of snow.

It was December, the start of the snowy season. Though the plane was warm, she still felt oddly unsettled.

Somewhere in that wilderness, the man she had once loved was chasing his dreams.

She wondered if today’s snowfall was as heavy as the rainfall of the day they first met, was the wind as bitter as it had been then?

Pushing aside her longing, Halle pulled the shade down, shutting out the view.

She had always believed that time would dull everything—her memories of him, her love for him.

Adjusting her seat, she reclined and closed her eyes. Just before sleep claimed her, one thought echoed in her mind, 'Terence, I won’t come looking for you again. This will be the last time we'll see each other.'

It was both her deepest wish and a promise to herself.