It's a Long Way to Her Heart

"Okay."

After dinner, I went to the crematorium. After hearing what I said, the staff looked at me with clear pity in their eyes. "Miss, you look so young… Are you really arranging your own funeral?"

I nodded calmly. "Yeah. For myself. My time of death is in one hour. You can go to Community Hospital to collect my body directly. After cremation, just scatter the ashes wherever."

They looked stunned, confused by how clearly I spoke about my own death. After a moment, they asked hesitantly, "Shouldn't you… inform your family about something like this?"

Since I had already decided to cut ties with Mark and Joanne, how could I trouble them with handling my corpse? If it delayed their time with Hayley, that would be rather inconsiderate of me.

Besides, I didn't think they would have time to care whether I lived or died.

My expression stayed calm. "I don't think so… It'll only trouble them. Anyway, thank you for your help. I do need one more favor, though. Please prepare 300 copies of a congratulatory card.

"It should read, 'Wishing Mark and Hayley a lifetime of happiness together. From: Eunice Jensen.' After I die, please deliver them to every household in Cooperville. Thanks."

After arranging my affairs, I stepped onto the street. Before I could even react, a runaway truck came barreling straight at me. The impact was crushing.

For an instant, it felt as if every organ inside me had shattered. The pain was unbearable, but I didn't pass out. This was the system's punishment, the cost of staying for the mission target.

Everyone panicked and rushed me to the hospital. I lay on the stretcher, bleeding and barely clinging to life.

And yet, amid the rushing footsteps, I caught sight of Mark walking down the hospital corridor, holding Joanne's hand, laughing and chatting with Hayley.

Hayley looked fine, except for a thick bandage wrapped around her finger. I forced a smile through the pain. According to Mark, this was the so-called serious injury.

Joanne clutched her doll, her face joyful and eager. "Thank you, Ms. Larkson. I wish you could be my mommy."

Mark's expression immediately tightened, and he scolded her softly. "Do not say that, Joanne."

Hayley just laughed, patting Joanne's head. "Kids say what they feel. I wouldn't mind… Though I'm not sure I'd ever get the chance."

He suddenly looked up, meeting her eyes. There was a softness in his gaze that screamed intimacy. Then, he straightened up solemnly.

"Military marriages are legally protected. Divorce isn't an option. I love my wife, and I mean it. So, please don't say things like that again. It's getting late. You should head back.

"I need to buy my wife a gift to make up for her birthday. She's been waiting all day, and I won't make her wait any longer."

Hayley glanced at the darkening sky outside, her voice tinged with bitterness. "You two go on. You've spent the whole day with me. It's not even fully dark yet, so I should be able to go on my own."

She had a severe night-vision problem. After dark, she could barely see.

Mark hesitated, clearly torn. "Your eyesight gets poor at night. It's not safe. Let Joanne and me walk you home. My Eunice has a kind heart—she'll understand. Tonight, I'll explain everything to her."

With that, he took Hayley's arm and led her toward the hospital exit.

Joanne immediately grabbed Hayley's other hand, guiding her with a bright smile. "Daddy and I are your personal guards, Ms. Larkson. We'll see you home safely!"

Hayley's face bloomed into a warm smile. I passed by them on my stretcher, close enough to hear every word, but not enough to grab their attention.

A self-deprecating smile curved my lips as I murmured, "They're going home… But so am I."

It felt right. We each had our own place to belong. I hoped we never had to see each other again.

Just then, the system's voice rang sharply in my ears. "Final ten seconds on the countdown. Your body will now shut down, fully detaching from the mission world. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six…"

Their figures grew smaller and fainter until they disappeared entirely. I closed my eyes with peace, a smile of release curling my lips.

When the system counted down the last number, my heart stopped—not another beat heard.