James tried to take the application document from me, but I dodged out of his way, saying, "You're usually pretty busy. I can hand it to Commander Bowen."

He shot a suspicious look at me. "Why are you acting so crazy today? Forget it. Do whatever you want."

I simply smiled at James and didn't say a word. I did feel like I was going crazy, but I also realized that I could finally set myself free now that I had been given another chance at life.

The two of us were quiet during the car ride. However, the silence also made James uncomfortable.

In a surprising turn of events, he cleared his throat and spoke first. "I heard that the Art Troupe is putting on a show tonight. If the troop doesn't have any assignments tonight, I'll take you to see it."

I looked at him in surprise. In my past life, I was the one who suggested that we watch the Art Troupe's show. James had pressed his lips together while looking impatient at the time.

"I'm only marrying you because my parents are forcing me to. I'm not actually going to date you. You'd better get this through your head."

That was why I didn't say a word this time around.

Displeasure flickered in James' eyes at my lack of response. "If you don't want to go, then forget I said anything—"

"I want to go!" I answered in a rush, interrupting him. "Of course, I want to go."

When he saw how I couldn't stop myself from smiling, his mouth fell open as if he wanted to say something. However, he remained quiet and just started the car in the end. "Wait for me after dinner—"

Before he could finish his sentence, a member of the Art Troupe dashed in front of the car, shouting, "Captain Wesley! Something bad happened to Emily!"

James slammed his foot on the brakes. "I'm going to take a look. Go back by yourself."

I nodded. "Okay. Hurry up and go."

He was obviously panicked by the sudden news, but his entire body stiffened when he heard my response. He turned his head slowly to look at me before asking, "You… Aren't you jealous?"

A bitter feeling churned in my gut. I wouldn't have wasted ten years of my past life if there was any use in being jealous. Before I could answer, he warned coldly, "I don't care what you're playing at, but you better watch what you do."

James then turned around and hurried away. It seemed that he didn't notice the bitterness and disappointment in my eyes.

In my past life, I had never stopped him from playing favorites with Emily. I was well aware that I couldn't force him to fall in love with me.

I returned home alone. I had just stepped through the gate when Felicia Axford, James' mother, greeted me enthusiastically from next door.

"Has the troop approved your marriage application, Katherine?" she asked. She frowned when she looked behind me and continued, "Where's James? Why didn't that brat come home with you?"

I chuckled and explained that something urgent came up with the troop that he had to attend to. Despite my explanation, Felicia looked upset.

"That brat. Is work more important than loving his wife? I'm going to teach him a lesson when he gets back!"

Jeremiah Wesley, James' father, shook his head helplessly. "He's getting out of line. I hope you don't take his actions to heart, Katherine."

My eyes stung as I fully digested the situation I was in. I was never treated with such warmth even once in the past ten years. Felicia and Jeremiah would have treated me like I was their own daughter if James hadn't turned his back on them because of me.

I wanted to tell them the truth, but realized that I couldn't find the words. In the end, I held Felicia's hand and said softly, "I'd like to thank you and Mr. Wesley for taking care of me during the past few years. I'll definitely repay your kindness."

"You're so silly. There's no need to repay us." Felicia scolded, though not unkindly. "I'm more than happy that you're marrying my son."

I didn't say anything else and simply tightened my hold on Felicia's hand. I wasn't going to be James' wife in this life. He wouldn't have to bend to his parents' wishes and could freely pursue the person he actually loved. He could live his life freely.

As for Felicia and Jeremiah, they wouldn't be resented by their own child for the rest of their lives for playing matchmaker between James and me.

When evening fell, I made my way to the entrance of the Art Troupe Theater, ticket in hand. However, James never showed up even after the performance ended. I knew that he had broken our promise to meet once again.

I wasn't angry at all and simply walked to the park and sat by myself on a bench. I couldn't help but reminisce as I looked at the sea of twinkling stars in the night sky.

"It's been a while since I've seen so many stars," I murmured to myself.

Suddenly, a hand clamped itself around my wrist before I was slapped hard across the face. My cheek stung and burned at the point of impact, leaving me rooted to the spot, stunned.

James' expression was dark and frightening, his eyes overflowing with unbridled rage. "Katherine Erikson, you vile bitch.

"How dare you send people to humiliate Emily? She was so shaken up by the encounter that she tried to take her own life by slitting her wrists.

"I've already agreed to marry you, so why are you still not satisfied? Will you only be happy if she's dead?"

Unable to keep his anger in check, James raised his hand and slapped me again. I wasn't even given a chance to say anything before he dragged me into the car.

I saw Emily lying on the bed in the ward when we arrived at the hospital. Her complexion was pallid as blood seeped through the bandages wrapped around her wrists. It became immediately obvious that James hadn't been exaggerating when he said Emily tried to take her own life.

Her eyes were squeezed shut when we entered the ward, but she was mumbling nonstop.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have bothered James. Please have mercy on me. Stop hitting me…"

I was about to ask a question when James shoved me from behind.

I staggered forward and collided against the edge of the table. The sudden explosion of pain made the color drain from my face in an instant, yet the loathing in James' eyes only intensified.

"Look at what you've done!" he roared. "Apologize to Emily now!"

Dazed, I looked at him and said, "But… I didn't—"

"Stop lying!"

James was beyond furious. The nurse entering the ward at that moment was the only thing that stopped him from striking me in public.

"The patient lost too much blood. She needs a blood transfusion right now," the nurse explained.

James grabbed my wrist. "Her blood type is also AB. Take her blood!"

It was then that I realized that he had brought me to the hospital for the sole reason of providing blood for Emily. He clearly knew that my body was weak and anemic since I was a child. It was highly likely that I would suffer some terrible side effects if I was forced to donate blood.

However, James made it clear that there would be no room for discussion when he yanked my sleeve up, exclaiming, "It's the least you can do!"

The thick needle pierced my skin, drawing fresh and vivid red blood into the syringe. I lifted my head and looked at James, who was standing to the side, ready to pounce on me if I tried to escape.

"James, have you ever regretted saving me? Even for a moment?"

Stunned by my question, he lowered his eyes to the ground. "I don't regret my decision. I would've saved whoever needed saving that day, regardless of whether it was you or not."

I smiled and turned my head away, not wanting him to see the tears rolling down my cheeks. An intense wave of dizziness washed over me when I stood up after the nurse removed the needle, making me sway on my feet.

James subconsciously reached out to support me, but I pushed him away gently. "I'm never going to bother you again, James. I'm going to let you go, so that I can set myself free too."

Only after being reborn did I realize that James and I were like two thorny vines. The closer we got to each other, the more we hurt each other. Only after exhausting all my strength did I realize that we never should have met in the first place.

Panic and confusion flickered in James' eyes. "What the hell are you talking about?" he demanded. "What do you mean you're setting yourself free? We're about to get married. You—"

The nurse dashed over and interrupted him before he could finish his sentence. "Captain Wesley, Ms. Hill is awake. She keeps asking for you."

James frowned before shooting a troubled look in my direction. I simply smiled in response, saying, "Go ahead. You should attend to her first."

His troubled expression morphed into an odd one, but he still rose to his feet. "I'll be back soon. Wait here. I'll send you home in a while."

I didn't say a word and just watched him leave.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have appeared in your world." I thought to myself. "James, I hope that you stay safe and sound for the rest of your life. I hope you can live out your days in peace and harmony."