Chapter 8
Seeing my determination, Griffin finally began to panic. He gripped my hands tightly, his voice growing desperate.
“I’m sorry,
Nora. I truly know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have lied to you or been so damn presumptuous about having a kid with Ava!“]]
“You can treat me however you want, but please don’t say such things, okay?“]
“I’ve paid the price now. Ava’s condition is deteriorating. The doctors say she only has days left.“[]
“Nora, how am I supposed to raise a child alone? You once promised you’d stay with me forever. Have you forgotten?“]]
I forcefully pulled my hands from his grasp.[]
“What’s done is done, Griffin. We’re divorced.”
“How you live your life from now on is your business, not mine. And don’t forget–you were the first to break your promises, not me.‘
“Since you broke your vows first, what right do you have to bind me with those same vows?“]
U
I looked at him coldly, emphasizing each word:[]
won’t take back what I’ve thrown away. I certainly won’t return to be a free nanny for you and your son. Give it up!“[]
Griffin’s eyes welled with tears as he opened his mouth to speak.]
But before he could, I cut him off.
“I have work to do. This area is dangerous. You should head back home soon.”
With that, I turned and walked toward the camp.
From behind came Griffin’s voice:[]
www
“Nora, if you won’t return, then I won’t either. I’ll stay here with you. When you’ve finished what you need to do, we can go home together.“]
I didn’t even look back, completely ignoring his words.
But before I’d taken more than a few steps, I heard Griffin answer a phone call, apparently from the hospital back home.
“What? Ava died?“[]
“Tin coming back right now. Wait for me!“]]
Just then, two bomber planes suddenly roared overhead.[]
Hearing the familiar sound, I instinctively pushed Griffin away.
Griffin shouted angrily, “Nora, have you lost your mind?“]]
His voice was quickly drowned out by the explosion nearby.[]
The ground seemed to shake beneath us as dirt and debris rained down.[]
Ignoring his outburst, I slowly raised my head to survey our surroundings before quickly getting to
Griffin was clearly shocked by the sudden attack, sitting frozen on the ground.[]
I glanced at him, then pulled him up.
“Let’s get inside for shelter.“]
But Griffin was visibly traumatized, his voice trembling
“Nora… did we almost just die?“[]
my feet.
I’d grown accustomed to these life–threatening bombings, but for him, this was completely uncharted territory:[]
I pressed my lips together, finally replying after a long pause:[]
Tll have the team leader get you out of here later. Don’t come back again.“[]
Griffin stood there with dust covering his face, clutching his phone in silence.
Soon, our team leader brought over a local contact
an drove an old pickup truck and gestured for Griffin to hurry and get in.[]
efore they left, I slipped two extra bills into the driver’s hand, insisting he get Griffin safely to the airport.]
ven if there was nothing left between us, I couldn’t stand by and watch another human being die needlessly.
I remained silent, seemingly still processing the terror he’d just experienced.]
When I looked back, I only caught a glimpse of him hastily jumping into the truck.]
ruggel the corner of my mouth into a faint smile, having already anticipated his reaction.
