Now, he was the epitome of a thoughtful and caring husband, showering his beloved Evadne with utmost affection. His hands, rough and calloused from the trials of life—battling through military academy, surviving the front lines, and navigating the cutthroat world of business-could still cradle her with the gentlest touch. All through the night, he didn''t once disturb her peaceful slumber, as soft sighs of contentment asionally escaped her lips. Utterly irresistible.


    Thaddeus swallowed hard, leaning down to stroke her dark hair, nting kisses on her forehead, her lips. Then he left the room and stepped out onto the balcony.


    It was the tail end of December. Back in Elmsworth, winter had fully taken hold, but here in Helgen, it was the most pleasant season, with a warm, humid breeze wafting through the air. Pondering over Evadne''s words, his gaze deep and thoughtful, Thaddeus picked up his phone and dialed a long-lost number.


    "Holy smokes! Am I seeing things?!"


    The surprise and excitement in the man''s voice were palpable as he answered, "Thaddeus, man, you still remember I exist?!"


    Taking a deep breath, Thaddeus''s voice wasden with regret, "Sorry, it''s been years since I reached out. It was indeed rude of me."


    "Cut it out, brother. Don''t talk like we''re strangers. I''ve kept your number all these years, always hoping you''d get back in touch. Bet you never forgot about this old friend."


    The man''s voice softened, choked with emotion, "Back then, as soldiers in a peacekeeping force,ing from different corners of the world, we fought side by side, breaking through barriers of nationality and age, forming a bond on the battlefield that was deep and unbreakable. I carry those memories with me, always. They pump through my veins, a reminder of the blood we shed together. I''ll never forget."


    "Neither will I. Never have, never will," Thaddeus said, his grip tightening on the balcony rail, his longshes quivering slightly.


    "But that war... it was brutal. We lost good friends, brothers in arms."


    The man''s voice turned husky, "And more than that, we came back with scars, with PTSD. Me, especially, it took a long, long time before I could live like a normal person again."


    Thaddeus''s gaze dropped, his breathing heavy with unspoken sorrow. No one ever truly gets used to death. And the visceral impact of watching people you know, people you care about, fall before your eyes... It took him three whole years to start emerging from that shadow.


    During that time, they lost touch. One living in Elmsworth, the other in Helgen. It wasn''t that Thaddeus didn''t want to reach out; he feared disturbing his friend''s recovery, afraid that his reappearance might trigger unwanted memories. "Anyway, it''s all in the past now."


    A smile touched Thaddeus''s lips, "Hearing your voice, just like old times, I know you''ve made it through, too."


    "We''re not ordinary folks; we''re soldiers with honors to our names!" the man dered with pride.


    "I''m not that person anymore. I''m just a businessman, a simple, ordinary husband," Thaddeus''s eyes moistened.


    "Whoa, whoa! You''re getting married? And you didn''t tell me?"


    The happiness was evident in Thaddeus''s smile, "Not yet, but it''s happening soon.


    Would youe to the wedding if I invited you?"


    "Of course! I''d swim from Helgen if I had to!"


    The man''s curiosity piqued, "So, the girl you''re marrying, is she your long-time love, Evadne?!"