Chapter 4
Serena's POV
California sunshine bathed the green field as crowds in the stands cheered every successful pass. I sat in the student section, eyes locked on the figure in the red jersey.
Shawn was our school's running back, fast as lightning. Whenever he got the ball, the entire stadium erupted.
"Look at him run!" Brianna screamed beside me, "God, Serena, your date is SO hot!"
I watched him sprint across the field in fascination, my heart beating with his every step. Those legs, that power, that speed...
He's so damn gorgeous!
After the game, we met at the campus coffee shop. Shawn had changed out of his jersey into a simple T-shirt and jeans, but that magnetic presence still made him shine in the crowd. When he saw me, his face lit up with a brilliant smile and he ran toward me.
"My girl!" He swept me up, spinning me around, "Did you see that touchdown?"
"Of course I did!" I laughed, "The whole stadium was going crazy for you."
That warm afternoon was when we officially became a couple.
We had our first kiss under spring cherry blossoms, studied together in the summer library, shared our dreams in autumn coffee shops, and made eternal promises on winter beaches. He'd stay up until 4 AM helping me with lab experiments, and I'd attend every one of his weekend games. Every little thing we did together became precious memories.
"Baby," one quiet night, he held my hand with expectant eyes, "When I graduate, we'll get married. I'll give you the perfect wedding, just like you've dreamed of."
But a few months later, everything changed.
Three and a half years ago, campus coffee shop
Warm afternoon sunlight streamed through the windows onto our table, but Shawn's expression was heavy. His hands gripped his coffee cup tightly, knuckles white from the pressure.
"What's wrong?" I gently touched his hand, "You look worried."
"I keep thinking about my brothers." He looked up at me, eyes full of pain, "Tommy was killed last week. Marcus lost a leg. And here I am, safely going to school like the war has nothing to do with me."
My heart clenched. "Shawn, you've already served. You completed your duty."
"But the war isn't over." He shook his head, "My brothers are still bleeding and dying over there while I'm here playing football. It makes me feel... cowardly."
"You're not a coward." I said firmly, "You're the bravest person I know."
"I need to go back." He looked at me with determined, painful eyes, "My country needs me. I can't just watch my brothers face danger alone."
I knew once he made up his mind, nothing could change it. This was the man I'd fallen in love with—principled, responsible, willing to sacrifice everything for his beliefs.
"Then I'll wait for you," I gripped his hand tightly, "However long it takes. I'll be here when you come back."
Now, hotel lobby
"He reenlisted for his brothers." I opened my eyes, tears glistening, "He thought leaving his brothers to fight alone was cowardly."
David nodded. "That's typical. Many soldiers have survivor's guilt. Now I'm even more convinced we need to find the truth."
He dialed a number.
"Colonel Davidson? This is David Harrison, Marine veteran, service number MF-4427..."
A surprised voice came through the phone. "Harrison? How did you get my number? Why are you contacting me?"
"I have military connections." David's voice became professional and firm, "I'm with Serena Taylor right now. She saw Shawn today."
A long silence. I could even hear my own heartbeat.
"Colonel Davidson?" David continued, "We need answers. This woman has suffered for three years. She has a right to know the truth."
More silence, then a tired, hesitant voice. "Meet in person. Tonight at eight, VA Hospital parking lot in San Francisco. Make sure you're not followed."
The call ended.
David looked at me gravely. "Looks like we'll get answers tonight. But Serena, prepare yourself. The truth might be more complicated than you imagine."
At eight PM sharp, we arrived at the VA Hospital parking lot. The lighting was dim, just a few streetlights casting weak beams. Colonel Davidson was already waiting, dressed in civilian clothes, looking much older than three years ago with almost completely gray hair.
"Serena." When he saw me, deep guilt flashed in his eyes, "You look... well. I'm sorry we're meeting like this."
"Colonel Davidson." My voice trembled, "Please tell me the truth. Shawn is alive, isn't he?"
He took a deep breath, looked around to confirm no one else was there, then spoke:
"Shawn didn't die. But he had to 'die.'"
My legs went weak and I nearly collapsed. David caught me, but I felt the whole world spinning.
"What do you mean?" My voice was almost a scream, "You lied to me for three years? You let me think he was dead! Do you know what I went through?"
Colonel Davidson closed his eyes in pain. "Serena, you have to understand. Shawn was on an extremely dangerous deep-cover mission. He infiltrated the core of an international terrorist organization."
"So he was injured?" My heart pounded violently, "I saw he had trouble walking. His leg..."
"The explosion was real." Colonel Davidson's voice was heavy, "He was severely attacked, his injuries... were serious. We almost lost him."
I grabbed his arm. "How serious? How is he now?"
Colonel Davidson hesitated for a long time, then shook his head. "Those details... I can't say. It's not my decision."
"Why?" I demanded angrily, "Why can't you tell me?"
"Because the situation is complicated." He looked at me, eyes full of pain, "That terrorist organization swore to kill him, and everyone connected to him. Including you."
My world spun again. "So you made him fake his death?"
"We couldn't let them know he survived. It was the only way to protect you." Colonel Davidson looked at me, "If they knew Shawn was alive, you'd become a target. Your life would be in danger."
"Then why..." My voice choked, "Why did he appear at my wedding today? Why didn't he come to me?"
Colonel Davidson was silent for a long time, his expression becoming even more pained.
"Because the damage he suffered..." He paused, "exceeds your imagination. He believes he's no longer worthy of anyone's love, especially yours."
"I don't understand." I shook my head, "I don't care what injuries he has. I love HIM as a person, not..."
"Serena," Colonel Davidson interrupted me, "you don't understand. He suffered more than just physical trauma. His entire world was destroyed. His current state..."
He paused again, seeming to choose his words carefully.
"He needs time. A lot of time. Maybe he'll never be ready to face his past life."