6
After a long train ride, I arrived in New Hope.
Mom and our golden retriever, Buddy, were
waiting.
“Amy, are you tired, honey? I made you some
soup!”
Hearing her voice, I broke down, sobbing in
her arms.
I told her everything. About the divorce. About
everything.
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After resting and recovering, I went to see the
principal at the local school.
He was thrilled to have me back.
Seven years later, I was teaching again.
Time flew by. Six months passed.
“Ms. Carter! The test results are in! You got
in!”
Paul, an architect on loan from a Chicago
firm, grinned.
He’d been surveying in our town and fallen
down a ravine.
I’d been visiting my dad’s grave and rescued
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him.
We became friends, and I learned he was a
University of Chicago graduate.
He encouraged me to retake the college
entrance exam.
It had been years. I’d forgotten so much.
Grateful for my help, Paul gave me study
materials.
He even tutored me, patiently explaining
everything.
We spent a lot of time together, growing
closer.
In June, I took the exam and got accepted
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༔དས ཕུཅ་ འ་པ་
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into the University of Chicago.
I opened the letter. Architecture.
I exchanged a smile with Paul, thanking him.
for his help.
Mom cried and hugged me, overjoyed.
The day I left for college was also the end of
Paul’s assignment.
He offered me a ride back to Chicago in his
company car.
Mom tearfully waved goodbye.
My seven-year-old dream was finally coming
true. I was a mix of nerves and excitement.
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Paul helped me get settled into my dorm.
With two days before classes started, he took
me sightseeing.
Wandering around campus, I heard someone
call my name.
“Amy… Amy!”
I turned. David.
I hadn’t spoken to him since I left.
In seven years, he’d never visited my
hometown. He didn’t even know where it was.
Which meant I hadn’t had to deal with him.
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I almost didn’t recognize him.
The David I knew was always impeccably
dressed, confident.
This David was scruffy, his eyes bloodshot.
Clearly, the factory problems were serious.
He held flowers and a gift, his voice hesitant.
“Amy, happy birthday.”
“I made you longevity noodles. And a
present.”
He always made me noodles for my birthday.
I didn’t take the gifts.
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“Thanks, but I don’t want them.”
I turned to leave. He moved towards me.
It had been raining for days. He slipped and
fell hard.
The gifts scattered. He struggled to get up,
soaked and pathetic.
“Amy, I know you’re angry. But can’t you find
it in your heart to forgive me?”
“Sarah’s been punished. I know I was wrong!”
“What do I have to do? Just tell me, and I’ll do
it!”
I laughed, a harsh, bitter sound.
<
Punished? He thought that erased everything?
“Nothing you do will ever make me forgive
you!”
He started to speak, but I cut him off.
“Amy, let me make it up to you! I’ll give you
my finger!”
He pulled out a knife and slashed at his left
hand.
“David!” I gasped, horrified.
Blood mixed with rainwater. He collapsed,
begging.
“Amy, I’m so sorry! Please forgive me!”
Г
“I was wrong… Amy, I was so, so wrong…”
I stared at his pathetic display, sighing.
“David, go home. We’re done.”
I called security. They took him to the
hospital.
The day he was discharged, the police
arrested him.
They’d busted a human trafficking ring. The
leader confessed to being paid by David to
kidnap me.
Sarah was also brought in for questioning.
The following year, Paul and I got married at
the courthouse.
We planned a big wedding after graduation,
then grad school abroad.
For the first time in a long time, the future
looked bright.
