My expression instantly changed.

Elsie seemed to realize what she had just said and frantically tried to explain. "I just noticed you often keep your lights on at night, holding a photo and staring at it..."

I let out a cold laugh and shot back sarcastically, "Elsie, if your eyesight's that bad, go to the hospital to treat it. I was obviously admiring myself, okay?"

Elsie's mouth twitched, but she failed to muster a response.

I could hear faint, low chuckling somewhere nearby, but it quickly faded.

Elsie slunk away, looking defeated. She did not even come down for dinner, but I could not care less. After all, missing one meal would not kill her.

When I arrived at the dining room, I saw both children already seated obediently at the table. Just as I reached out to pat their heads, they both instinctively ducked and covered themselves.

"Mikayla, please don't hit us..." Their voices were as timid as scared rabbits, sending chills down my spine.

In my previous life, Franklin had gotten drunk one night, and we had that reckless encounter that resulted in these twins. After they were born, I felt nothing but disgust toward them. I never looked at them properly and would not even let them call me mother. Instead, they could only address me as Mikayla.

Remembering how in my past life these two children called Elsie "Mommy" and wished I would just die, my heart filled with bitter regret.

Suppressing the overwhelming emotions, I hoarsely said, "From now on, call me 'Mommy', not Mikayla. Okay?"

After saying this, I gently ruffled their fluffy little heads before letting go.

Ashton and Ashley Wallace stared at me with wide eyes, unable to believe what they had heard. After a long moment, they timidly responded and called out, "Mommy."

Hearing that, tears immediately streamed down my face.

Just then, Franklin appeared. Thinking the kids had upset me, he was about to scold them.

I quickly stopped him, saying, "It's fine. Why are you being harsh with them?"

Franklin froze at my words and stared at me intently.

I shot him a playful glare. "What? Haven't you seen your wife enough already? Keep staring like that and your eyes are going to fall out."

Franklin snapped back to himself. For a second, it looked like he wanted to smile. However, just as quickly, he returned to his usual cold demeanor and said flatly, "Got it, honey."

We rushed through dinner, and not long after, Franklin's aide came running in.

"Commander, the convoy is ready. We can head to the island base right away."

Franklin gave a short grunt of acknowledgment and waved. With that, the whole family set out on the journey.

After three days and nights of travel, we finally arrived at the island. The island was not as barren as I had imagined. On the contrary, Franklin had arranged for everything from food to clothing to be just as comfortable as before.

As soon as we got to the house on the island, Franklin grabbed my arm and pulled me into the bedroom. I had never noticed before how handsome Franklin actually was. With his buzz cut, broad shoulders, narrow waist, and slim hips, he had the perfect rugged look.

My gaze swept over him inch by inch, and the man in front of me could not help but blush to his ears. His grip on my wrist was firm but not uncomfortable.

He asked, "What are you staring at?"

I could hear a hint of embarrassed anger in his voice, and I could not help but tease him, "You're my husband. What's wrong with me looking at you? Forget looking... Even if I touched you, what could you possibly do about it?"

True to my word, I boldly reached out and felt his muscular chest. Sure enough, it felt just as good as I had imagined. The next second, I found myself pinned down on the bed as punishment.

Franklin's Adam's apple bobbed, and I thought he might do something to me. However, after a long moment, he finally managed to say, "Come with me to tonight's welcome dinner."

I nodded obediently.

That evening, I wore a stunning pink dress and attended the event on Franklin's arm. Compliments poured in from every direction.

Just as I was about to ask Franklin to dance, the strap on my dress suddenly snapped. To prevent any wardrobe malfunctions, Elsie quickly offered to take me to change clothes. I agreed and followed Elsie to the dressing room behind the reception hall.

The moment I entered the dressing room, I saw someone I never wanted to see again in this lifetime.

Upon seeing Reuben, I immediately turned to leave.

However, he grabbed my hand and said, "Mikayla, why are you ignoring me? Don't you know I gave up my chance to study abroad and applied to be stationed here as a doctor, just for you?"

I shot him a cold glance and snapped, "What does your so-called sacrifice have to do with me? Or are you expecting me to pat you on the back and praise you?"

In truth, that overseas program he always boasted about had never been real. It was nothing but a facade he used to impress women and reel them in. I did not spare him another glance as I turned to walk out.

Suddenly, Reuben wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and pressed a cloth firmly over my nose and mouth. Some strange fire began burning inside my body, making me breathe uncontrollably.

Reuben then buried his head in my neck, making my whole body tremble involuntarily. Images from my previous life flashed through my mind, how he had infected me with a disease and left me to starve to death on the streets.

I bit down hard on the soft flesh inside my mouth, and my consciousness barely cleared a little. Taking advantage of this moment of clarity, I struggled desperately, trying to break free from his restraint.

Even so, against the huge difference in physical strength, it was all futile. Instead, it only aroused his interest more, and his malicious laughter echoed in my ears.

A wave of inexplicable despair swept over me deeply, and tears of helplessness slid down my cheeks.

The next second, the locked door was kicked open with tremendous force.

With a loud bang of gunfire, the restraint on my body loosened, and I collapsed weakly to the ground. I found myself looking up at Franklin's cold, intimidating stare as he loomed over me.

He growled, "What the hell are you two doing?"