"Let's go take the photos first. I'll go with you to buy whatever you need afterward," Jessica said firmly, as if giving me no room for refusal.

Marcus chimed in, "Yeah, Zach. You're not refusing to go because of me, are you?"

At that point, I didn't feel like arguing and just nodded in agreement.

Early the following morning, I could hear Jessica fussing in Marcus' room, coaxing him out of bed.

The bright red numbers on the calendar reminded me that my freedom was just four days away.

Just as my patience was wearing thin, they finally dragged their feet out of the room.

Jessica diligently fetched hot water and personally washed Marcus' face. I must have been blind in my past life to naively think that once we were married, she'd treat me the same way.

I was lost in thought when Jessica shyly walked over to me, holding a ring. "Mrs. Wilson said couples these days wear wedding rings, so I got you one."

I didn't take it when I recalled there had been no rings in my past life.

As soon as Marcus saw it, he frowned. "That looks great. I want one, too."

I generously offered, "Then take it."

Jessica's face instantly darkened. "Stop messing around. This is our wedding ring."

Marcus snatched the ring, slipped it onto his own finger, and waved it at her. "Does it look good on me?"

She looked at him with undisguised affection and nodded with a smile. Then, she turned to me guiltily and whispered, "I'll… I'll buy you another one next time."

I nodded indifferently. I'd heard her make promises like that countless times and never seen her follow through.

…

At the photography studio, Marcus went first and even took several photos with Jessica. When it was my turn with her, the photographer raised his camera but awkwardly lowered it again.

"Oops. Sorry, but I'm all out of film."

I secretly cheered, but kept a straight face, saying calmly, "Oh. Forget it, then."

As we left the studio, Jessica pulled a train ticket from her pocket and handed it to me. It was a standing-room-only ticket to Lisbeth, departing in four days.

"I don't mean to leave you behind. I'll get settled first and wait for you there," she said.

The trip would take three days and nights. I had no idea how she thought I could stand for that long during the journey.

Besides, there was only one spot for family accompaniment, so where was I supposed to live once I got there? But asking now wouldn't get me a satisfactory answer.

Seeing me accepting the ticket, Jessica was visibly relieved. "Don't worry. Even if you don't stay in the military housing, you're still my one and only husband. I'll treat you well from now on. By the way, I only treat Marcus as my younger brother."

At that moment, because she had never spoken to me so tenderly before, I felt my guard slip a little.

Suddenly, a truck came speeding around the corner straight toward us. Jessica grabbed Marcus' hand and pulled him to safety.

In the chaos, I felt someone shove me. As the car barreled toward me, I froze in terror. The vehicle swerved sharply and hit me, dragging me along the ground. The pain was so intense that I blacked out, and cold sweat streamed down my face.

The driver hurriedly jumped out of the car and asked incoherently, "Young man, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

A crowd began to gather, pointing and murmuring.

My gaze cut through the onlookers, fixing squarely on Jessica. She was comforting Marcus and was completely unaware of what had just happened to me. Or perhaps she noticed and simply didn't care.

I smiled bitterly, and the last shred of hesitation in my heart vanished completely. So, this was what Jessica meant by treating me well from now on.

The driver soon took me to the hospital. After a thorough examination, it turned out I only had some cuts and minor internal displacement. My whole body ached as I lay in the hospital bed, but my mind was surprisingly calm.

Late that night, Jessica walked in with exhaustion written all over her face. Seeing I was awake, a flicker of panic crossed her features. "Are you alright? Do you feel any better?

I looked at her coldly and said nothing.

She wrung her hands nervously as she explained, "Marcus was traumatized by the accident. I've been staying with him this whole time, so…"

Under my unwavering gaze, her words faltered, and she trailed off awkwardly.

"Listen. It all happened so fast, and Marcus was closer to me. I just reacted on instinct…" Jessica paused, seemingly searching for the right words. "I didn't know you would get hit."

I interrupted her, "When are you planning to leave for Lisbeth?"

She replied hesitantly, "Tomorrow."

"Got it. I need to rest now. You should go," I said, closing my eyes and dismissing her.

Jessica seemed to want to say more, but in the end, she took the hint and left.

…

The next day, Margaret came to visit me in the hospital. She carried a thermal lunchbox, her face wreathed in smiles. "Zachary, Jessica asked me to look after you. Are you feeling better?"

"I'm feeling much better. Thank you, Mom," I said.

As she poured me some soup, she rambled on. "Jess is so clumsy. I don't know if she'll be able to take good care of Marcus…"

Halfway through, she seemed to realize her slip and paused awkwardly.

"Mom, the one marrying Jessica is Marcus."

Margaret was stunned. It took her a long moment to process what I'd said.

"What… What did you say?"

"The marriage application I submitted was for Marcus," I replied.

Her face went from shock to pure delight.

"You really did the right thing. I knew you were the sensible one," she said, gripping my hand excitedly. "Thank you, Zachary. Thank you for making this possible for them."

I smiled faintly and said nothing.

Making it possible for them? I was really just making it possible for myself.

Jessica's heart had always belonged to Marcus. Even if I had devoted myself to her in my past life, she still left all her inheritance to him in her old age.

"Mom, let's not tell them about this yet."

Margaret smiled from ear to ear. "Okay. I understand. So… What are your plans for the future?"

"I'll be leaving in a few days, too," I said, but didn't reveal where I was going.

She wanted to continue asking, but her mind was occupied with Jessica and Marcus' wedding.

Seeing that, I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep.

I didn't notify anyone on the day I was discharged. Before leaving, I wrote a letter to Jessica.

"Jessica, by the time you read this, I'll already be on a train heading south. I know you've always loved Marcus, so I'm stepping aside for the two of you. Our fate together has run its course, and I wish you both happiness."

I slipped the letter, along with the train ticket to Lisbeth and the marriage certificate, into an envelope and mailed it to their address.

After that, I dragged my suitcase and headed straight for the train station.