I Broke Off My Engagement With My Fiancé to Dedicate Myself to National Research

George Palmer had been spoiling me for ten years, showering me with affection and indulging me in everything that couples do. As a result, everyone assumed that we would be married, have children and grow old together.

Yet, he bought another woman home.

"Kelly Lambert, say hello to your sisterinlaw," George introduced her to me with a smile.

I did not make a scene. Instead, I calmly wished them a long life together.

What George did not know that I would leave him and go to the satellite research base soon and cut all ties to the outside world. He and I would never ever meet each other again in this lifetime.

Three years later, he tried to find the base using every means possible, but unfortunately for him, I had already married his best friend.

When he learned about this, he was so sad, his eyes red with despair. He said, "Kelly, why did you leave me? Are you really joining the satellite launch research team?"

General Palmer looked at me with deep concern and asked again, "Are you sure about this? If you're joining the satellite launch research team, you won't be able to communicate with the outside world for at least ten years, even a lifetime."

The New Year was approaching. Snow fell heavily outside, while embers flickered warmly in the room.

Never seeing George again was exactly what I wanted. However, seeing the worry in her adoptive father, General Palmer's face made me hesitate.

“Uncle Rick Palmer,” I said softly. “My parents gave their lives for the satellite program. As their daughter, it’s only right that I dedicate my youth to my country.”

After a long pause, General Palmer sighed deeply. “Okay, I’ll submit your name in a few days. You are dear to George though; will he allow you to go?”

I just lowered my head as I got lost in though.

When my parents died in the line of duty, General Palmer took me in and adopted me. Since then, George, his son and my supposed "older brother" had been attentive and caring toward me.

I was inseparable from him since a child. I always followed him around. As a result, people kept teasing us, "Kelly, you and George are getting along so well. You two don't look like a sibling, instead, you look like a couple."

Their word made me blush in embarrassment. I felt like my secret was revealed so I sneaked a glance at George.

However, the young group leader just smiled dotingly at me as he ruffled my hair. "You can think all you want," he said. "Besides I love Kelly the most."

That promise bound me to him for years, like an unbreakable thread.

On my nineteenth birthday, George gave me a gold ring. It was a family heirloom, that he inherited from his late mother. It was very important for him. He told me, "I want to give this ring to you. You're the most important person in my life."

I was so moved by his statement and gave him my late mother's protective talisman. After we changed our "Token of love", we snuggled up and got intimated.

One rainy night, I mustered the courage to confess my feelings and told him my love for him over the years.

I never expected he would be disgusted by my confession. "Are you crazy, Kelly?" he admonished. "I've always seen you as my little sister!"

I still remember the disgust in his eyes as he said those words.

The clock in the study struck another hour before I finally spoke again. In a soft voice, "Uncle Rick, can you hide this matter from him first? Please, do this for me."

General Palmer gave me a long, searching look but held back whatever he wanted to say. Finally, he relented. “Stay for the New Year before you leave.”

As I stepped out of the study, I ran straight into George and Amanda Cain.

Amanda, my future sisterinlaw and George's wife, was clinging to his arm while chattering away., "That performance of Silk Road Rain was amazing! When I go back to my dance troupe, I’ll stage something just like it.”

George gazed at her with tenderness. “With your grace, you’d be perfect for it.”

Amanda was so flattered that she blushed and lowered her head. As so happened, her eyes met mine. "Kelly," she greeted warmly. "Come here and take a look at the dress your brother brought me. Doesn't it look great?"

“To my knowledge, this dress is made from the finest fabric from Prague and the most fashionable dress out here,” Amanda announced. “Isn’t it the perfect style for a wedding?”

Her tone dripped with pride as she searched my face for a reaction.

I just answered her calmly, indifferently. "It's lovely and it suits you well."

My lack of emotion made George a bit unsettled. "Kelly!" he said sharply. "What were you talking to my father? My mind is fixed. I'll marry Amanda. All the paperwork has been done. If you went to him to plead, it's useless."

Though George had a refined, scholarly appearance, years in the military had instilled a commanding presence in him. So, when he was serious, his presence would be overwhelming. Today, he turned that pressure on me, making me feel suffocated.

Yet I looked at him straight in the eyes and said evenly, "I only asked Uncle Rick, if he needed anything to buy for New Year."

After saying that, I turned around and walked back to my room.

Behind me, the sound of measured footsteps followed. Then I heard George say softly behind me, "Kelly, I've spoken too harshly before. I'm sorry."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a vibrant red ribbon. “Look, I brought you a gift this time too.”

I turned around and saw the bright red ribbon in George's hand.

“You mentioned you liked red ribbons before,” he said, then thrust it to me. “Try it on.”

What he had just said was true. I had once said that I liked red ribbons. Yet when George first bought one, it was Amanda. Amanda thought it was too oldfashioned and threw it away.

Now, George gave me the thing that Amanda did not want.

My nose turned red as I looked away to hide my sadness. "I don't want it anymore. Take it back."

George misunderstood my refusal as a childish tantrum, one he thought he had to soothe. His frustration flared, "Why are you making things difficult again?"

Amanda quickly stepped in to stop George. "It's okay, George. Kelly's just a little girl. Don't scare her."

Amanda gave an overly apologetic smile. "Are you upset we didn’t invite you to the movies? Next time, you can come with us.”

Her tone was so magnanimous that it made me seem petty in comparison. As she spoke, she put her hand on my arm and secretly pinched me hard, when no one was looking.

“Everyone knows your brother dotes on you the most,” Amanda added with a sugary smile. “Don’t be jealous.”

The sharp pain made me flinch. I yanked her arm away and shouted, “What are you doing?”

Amanda immediately stumbled backward and fell to the floor in a dramatic manner. Tears welled up in her eyes and streamed down her face. "Kelly," she sobbed. "What did I do wrong?"

“Kelly, what are you trying to do?” George demanded and rushed over to help Amanda up.

Amanda, still sniffling, murmured, “I’m fine. It’s my fault, I must have tripped. Don’t blame Kelly.”

I took a deep breath to steady myself. “Amanda,” I said, my voice trembling with controlled anger, “You pinched my arm. I didn’t push you. … ”

Before I could finish my sentence, George cut me off, "Enough! Amanda is a kind and gentle person. Why would she hurt you? Stop making up ridiculous lies!”

At that moment, Amanda whimpered, “George, my ankle hurts.”

Without sparing me another glance, George scooped Amanda into his arms and carried her outside. “She’s this way because I’ve spoiled her too much,” he explained.

“George, don't act like this. Kelly must have felt that I snatched you away, that's why she's acting like this …."

When George did not see, Amanda glanced back at me, a smug smile curling on her lips.

I stood rooted to the ground. This absurdity felt so ironic to me.

When she first arrived at the military compound, Kelly had been a timid girl. So, she was easily bullied by others.

Back then, it was George who had been the one who chased off the other troublemakers and stood by her side to protect and take care of her. He took care of her with unwavering devotion even if there were scrapes on her skin, he would feel heartbroken.

General Palmer often joked, "George may be a tyrant to everyone else, but in front of his little sister, he'd suddenly become a doting older brother."

Kelly snapped back to reality, got the medicated oil from her room, put it on her wrist and began messaging her bruised wrist while comforting herself.

It would only be a few more days before I would be able to leave this compound and at that time George and Amanda could do whatever they pleased and it had nothing to do with me.

The compound was a cluster of modest singlestory homes, each with its own small quarters.

In another room, Amanda watched Kelly carefully apply the same medicated oil to her wrist. Her eyes shined with satisfaction.

“George,” she cooed. “Our art troupe got two tickets for Red Detachment of Women. Let’s go see it together in a few days.”

George who was holding Amanda's foot, couldn’t shake the memory of Kelly’s tearfilled eyes from earlier. His heart softened against his will.

“Could you get an extra ticket from the art troupe?” he asked as he looked up at her. “I’d like to give one to Kelly.”

Though Amanda was upset about it, she kept her smile and said, "Of course." Then she fished a ticket from her pocket and gave it to him.

As she gave it to him, she said timidly, "George, perhaps we should postpone the wedding. I don't think Kelly is ready to accept it. Her brother who has always doted on her is getting married and she must feel like I’m taking away your love for her.”

George's body stiffened and his jaw tightened. Without him realizing it, his hands had curled into fists. After he kept his silence for a long time, he finally said coldly, "She’ll understand her place.”

Early, the next morning, Kelly prepared to leave for her new unit. She had received a transfer order to a satellite research base. Before departing, she decided to bid farewell to her colleagues at the communication unit, where she had always gotten along well with her peers and superiors.

Captain Smith, her former leader, examined her transfer papers with a mix of surprise and admiration.

“Private Lambert, your dedication to serving the nation is commendable,” he said warmly. “However, you do realize working at a satellite research base means complete isolation from the outside world, right? Are you sure your brother will let you go?”

He chuckled. “After all, we all know how much he dotes on you.”

When Kelly first joined the communication unit, she had been harassed by a group of hooligans. Ever since then, George had made it a point to escort her to and from work every single day, no matter what.

Everyone at the unit knew about her “overprotective brother.”

What they didn’t know was that George was about to get married ... and that his world no longer revolved around her anymore. However, Kelly did not say anything. She just smiled.

After explaining her transfer to Captain Smith, she took out a bag of candies she had bought and distributed them among her coworkers.

“Why the sudden treat, Kelly?” someone teased. “Is this your wedding candy?”

Kelly's smile turned bitter. “Think of it that way if you’d like. There’s enough for everyone to enjoy.”

The room filled with laughter and chatter, as the time flew by.

As the workday ended, someone called out, “Kelly, your brother’s here to pick you up!”

George was a striking figure. He was one of the youngest officers in the compound. His presence always drew attention, no matter where he went.

Kelly stepped outside and saw him sitting in the driver’s seat of his car with one hand casually resting on the steering wheel. The backseat was piled with trendy fabrics and tins of cream.

Once, this had been their routine. George would show up with the latest treats and gifts. He would say they were for her. However, ever since Amanda entered the picture, those gestures had stopped. He even stopped picking her up.

When he finally did, he just took a quick look at her and turned his face away.

"Get in the car," George said. "I'll take you to the art unit."

Kelly frowned in confusion. "Why are we going to the art troupe?"

George's brow furrowed tightly. "Well, you've pushed Amanda yesterday and today you've stained her performance dress. Kelly, don’t you think you owe her an apology?"

His accusation left Kelly stunned. "I didn’t push her, nor did I stain her dress. Don’t you dare frame me!"

She spun on her heel to leave, but George leaped out of the car and grabbed her arm roughly. That’s when he noticed the dark bruises marring her delicate wrist.

He froze, his gaze fixed on her injury. "What happened to your hand?"

Kelly's nose went red with the threat of tears, but she forced her voice to stay calm. "You already know, don’t you?"

An inexplicable sense of emotion shot through George's chest. He struggled to shake it off, his eyes narrowing into icy slits. "You're becoming even more skilled in doing underhanded tactics. Are you hurting yourself now just to frame Amanda?"

His words sliced through her like a blade. Kelly's voice trembled with pain and indignation. "George, after all these years, is that the kind of person you think I am?"

George pinched the bridge of his nose and his tone softened slightly. "Kelly, it’s just an apology. It’s not that hard."

The disappointment in her gaze burned more than her words ever could. She turned and walked away, a lone tear escaping down her cheek.

By the time Kelly reached the military compound, George was already there. He tossed a painstreaked onto the ground in front of her.

Kelly stared at the garment with a puzzled expression.

"You ruined Amanda's performance dress," George said coldly. "She couldn’t go onstage because of you. If you clean it and we’ll call it even."

The white dress was streaked with vibrant colors. It was unmistakable that someone had done it on purpose. However, she wasn’t the culprit.

Kelly's voice turned cold and said, "I didn't do it. I'm not washing it!"

George’s jaw tightened. "I must’ve spoiled you too much if you can’t even tell right from wrong!"

His fists clenched and his voice became lower. It was full of quiet menace. "If you don’t clean that dress, I’ll toss your amulet into the river."

The amulet was the last memento her mother had left her.

Her voice cracked as she spoke. Her body was trembling all over. "George, that amulet... it’s my mother’s keepsake. You can't …."

How could he threaten me with this amulet?

Seeing her tears, George instinctively reached out, but Kelly recoiled and she even retreated a step. His hand hovered awkwardly before falling to his side.

George forced himself to harden his heart. "Clean the dress and I’ll give it back. Put yourself in her shoes. This dress is important to Amanda too."

Kelly looked at George with sorrowful eyes. "Do you have to humiliate me like this?" she asked.

His gut twisted at her words, but he suppressed the discomfort because he figured he was just disciplining Kelly. He said, "Don’t bother complaining to my father. He’s away at the military district for a few days."

Kelly inhaled sharply. "Fine. I’ll wash it."

As soon as George left, Amanda quietly entered the house and with a satisfied smirk on her face, she said, "Kelly, I’m so sorry. I accidentally used up all the hot water earlier. You’ll have to use cold water to wash my dress."

In the compound, hot water was a shared resource from the communal kitchen. Amanda’s deliberate act left Kelly no choice but to scrub the dress with icy water.

It was in December, in the middle of the winter and Kelly carried a wooden bucket to the riverbank so she could wash the dress at the river.

When her hands dipped into the icy river, she shivered violently, but the bonechilling cold was still unable to match the frost that entered her heart.

“They all say George spoils you, but I don’t see it now.” A saccharine voice came from behind her. Kelly did not have to turn around to know that it was Amanda.

Without changing her expression or opening her mouth, Kelly kept scrubbing Amanda's underwear.

Amanda seemed to be in a good mood. She kept on talking while nibbling on a roast of sweet potatoes. “Look at you, your fingers are red and swollen from the cold. You must be miserable, aren’t you?”

Then she gloated, "Just now, George bought me this roasted sweet potato to cheer me up. It’s so warm and delicious.

When she saw Kelly refused to engage and kept her head down while washing her clothes, Amanda grew bored. Then she glinted with malice as she sought to provoke her. “Imagine that, the adopted daughter of a military general is no better than a stray dog.”

"Look at this …."

Kelly turned her head. At that time, Amanda's hand went to her neck and pulled out a jade pendant dangling on a red cord.

Kelly gasped. It was the same amulet that she had given to George. Her expression turned angry instantly and she lunged forward to snatch it back. “That’s mine! You have no right to wear it!”

Irritation flickered across Amanda’s face. “This worthless trinket? Even beggars wouldn’t take it!”

With a spiteful grin, she yanked the red cord off her neck and hurled the amulet into the river. The jade pendant disappeared beneath the water and it instantly created a ripple on the surface.

Amanda smirked triumphantly. “I’ve thrown away your precious treasure. What can you possibly do about it? If you dare run to George and tattle, I’ll jump into the river and tell him you pushed me in. Who do you think he’ll believe?”

Kelly's heart ached as if it was slashed by a blade. Of course, Amanda was George's beloved and it wasn’t surprising he had given her the amulet. However, that amulet was more than just a trinket for her, it was more important than her own life! So, without any hesitation, Kelly jumped into the freezing river.

Amanda was frozen in shock. Her mind was racing with fright. The river was deadly cold in the winter. A plunge like that could easily spell disaster. One could easily freeze to death because of the cold and by jumping, Kelly would probably lose her life.

Amanda's face which was initially filled with fear changed into a sinister one. She really hoped Kelly met her demise at the bottom of the river. Then she slipped away from the riverbank.

"No one will know I was there if I did not say anything. Kelly, consider yourself unlucky!”

Yet as she had just walked a few steps away, Amanda came facetoface with George.

“Is Kelly over there? I think I just heard her voice,” he asked, his brows furrowed.

Panic surged through Amanda's heart, but she quickly stepped in front of him. “No, she’s not there!”

“Kelly probably was sulking somewhere to get your attention. Let’s check over there instead,” she suggested, as she steered him in the opposite direction, all the while she was silently praying he wouldn’t uncover the secret buried in the river.

Meanwhile, Kelly was swimming at the bottom of the river. She was frantically searching for the amulet.

The icy river was too cold. It sapped her strength and numbed her hands and feet. Her movement became slower and heavier.

Was it time to give up? No! She couldn't. That amulet was her mother’s only keepsake. It was a treasure beyond measure.

With her heart full of despair, Kelly groped around the bottom of the river. She thought she was going to die in this river when suddenly her finger touched the pendant.

The moment she grabbed the amulet, Kelly quickly swam upward. Yet, the moment her head broke through the water, her ankle was ensnared by underwater weeds and she could not move.

"Help!" she yelled

"Help!"

Kelly's body was bobbing up and down like a piece of wood.

"George … save me!" she screamed as hard as she could.

Suddenly, someone swam toward her. The strong arms pulled the plants that were binding her ankle, the next moment, it wrapped around her waist and quickly took her to swim upstream. Before she lost consciousness, Kelly caught a fleeting glimpse of a sharp, chiseled jawline.

Meanwhile, George could not find Kelly anywhere. He was furious and irritation was clearly written on his face. "All I asked was for her to wash a dress and she storms off like this?" he muttered angrily.

Amanda quickly patted his back to calm him, "Don't be mad. I believe Kelly didn’t mean it. Maybe ... she’ll come back once she’s calmed down."

Hopefully, she never does, Amanda thought silently. Yet, just as she finished speaking, her smile froze.

Not far away, a strikingly handsome man was running toward them. He was holding Kelly in his arms. "George! Quick! Your sister fell into the river!"

George spun around, his heart dropped as he rushed toward them. His steps faltered when he saw Kelly's pale, lifeless face. He quickly took her into his arms, only to find her body alarmingly cold to the touch.

"How did this happen?" His voice cracked with panic. "Kelly, hold on! Don’t you dare give up!"

George rushed inside and called for the housekeeper to help change Kelly out of her wet clothes.

He turned around to his friend, Ken Murdock, "What happened, Ken?"

Ken was George's confidant and also his closest friend. Obviously, he knew about his relationship with Kelly. He looked at George with a grim face.

"I was passing by the river when I heard Kelly calling for help," Ken explained. "When I got there, she was struggling in the water. I also saw a wooden bucket and a dress near the bank. It seems she went to wash clothes and accidentally fell in."

George’s brows furrowed deeply. "The kitchen has hot water. Why on earth would she wash clothes in the river on such a freezing day?"

Ken sighed, but his gaze was piercing toward George. "George, I hate to say this, but why is Kelly doing chores at all? Doesn’t your house have servants? To send her out on a day like this ..."

"You’ve been far too harsh on her lately," he added.

George's expression clouded over, a mixture of guilt and defiance battling within him. "You don’t understand. She’s too spoiled. Letting her continue like this will only make it worse."

Ken's gaze flickered toward Amanda and he turned his head toward George. After a moment, he spoke, "George, when she was unconscious, Kelly called out your name."

George froze, his jaw tightening. "I see. She must’ve jumped into the river on purpose to get my attention. Such disgusting tactics ... where does she even learn these things?"

Ken’s entire body stiffened, his expression darkened with fury. Without warning, he swung a punch at George’s face. The punch was so hard that it sent George fell backward and hit the doorframe with a bang.

"Ken! What the hell are you doing?“ George roared, his eyes were blazing with anger as he clenched his fists as he was ready to retaliate.

Yet before he could do anything, Ken grabbed his collar and shoved him down, then pinned him to the ground.

This made Amanda so scared and she screamed, "Stop it! What are you doing? Let him go!"

Ken pressed George harder and his tone was deadly serious, "Kelly is your sister, George, the one you cherish the most. How could you say something so cruel about her?"

George gritted his teeth as he shoved Ken's hands off. "She’s my sister. I’ll handle her however I see fit. It’s none of your business, Ken. Stay out of my business!"

After Ken left, George stood by Kelly’s bedside, staring at her stillpale face with mixed emotion.

Outside, Amanda collapsed onto the ground. Her body was trembling with fear. She was thankful George did not see what she had done to Kelly by the river.

Kelly had no idea how long she had been unconscious. When she opened her eyes, she saw George standing outside the door, smoking.

The night wind howled and it was making the ember at his fingertips flicker on and off.

She shifted her gaze away and quickly opened her palm. Upon seeing the amulet was still there, the tension that had gripped her heart finally loosened. Through her tearblurred vision, she noticed George's silhouette slowly stepping into the room.

"How did you fall into the river?" he asked. "Do you realize how dangerous that was? You've been unconscious with a fever for two days!"

Kelly's eyelashes trembled slightly when she asked, "Why did you give my amulet to Amanda?"

George’s face stiffened and it took him a long moment to reply, "It's just an amulet. So what if I gave it to her?"

Kelly let out a bitter laugh. "Of course. She's the one you care about most. For you to give her an amulet seems perfectly natural."

George’s eyes lingered on Kelly for a long while. His eyes looked suspiciously at her. "So … is the reason you fell into the river on purpose to get my attention because of that?"

Disgust flashed in his eyes. "Kelly, you're unbelievable. Have I not told you before? We are just like siblings. Everything I’ve done for you was out of brotherly care. "You need to stop having inappropriate thoughts about me!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, George felt a pang of regret. He had never spoken so harshly to Kelly and had no idea how she would react.

Yet, Kelly merely replied with a single word, "Fine."

George, who had prepared a long speech, was caught off guard by her quick agreement. He froze. Although he could sense something was wrong, he did not know what it was.

Before long, Kelly's voice broke the silence, "George, I'm leaving."

George's presence had taken root in her heart over the past eight years,. He had intertwining himself into her very being. This time, she was determined to cut him out herself. Though it would hurt, she would not regret it.

A sudden wave of panic seized George’s heart. "This is your home. Where could you possibly go?"

Huh? This is my home?

Kelly let out a soft laugh. She said, "George, I’ve been blamed and targeted over and over and you’ve never believed me. What kind of 'home' is this supposed to be?"

George looked uncomfortable. "As long as you behave yourself, I’ll always treat you like a younger sister."

After he said that, he pulled out a small bottle of medicated oil from his pocket and said, "The bruises on your arm haven’t faded yet. Apply this tonight."

Kelly felt his order was quite baffling. On one hand, he wanted to distance himself from her. On the other, he still showed concern in the smallest ways.

As he placed the bottle on the table, George’s eyes landed on a few books about satellites by her bedside. He frowned slightly and asked, "Since when were you interested in satellites?"

Kelly reached for the books and replied, "One day, I want to be like my parents and work in satellite research."

George stared at her face for a moment before speaking, "Satellite research is tough. Once you're in a research base, you’re practically cut off from the world for life. If you’re serious about it, once the special recruitment ends, I’ll ask my dad to take you to the base for a look."

Kelly gave him a strange look before nodding. "Okay."

Seeing her unusually compliant, George’s tone softened, "When you’re feeling better, apologize to Amanda."

His gaze settled on Kelly. It was deep and unreadable.

Kelly turned her head away to avoid his eyes, though her chest felt as if needles had pierced through it. The pain left a dull, persistent ache.

"George..."

Before Kelly could say anything more, George impatiently interrupted her, "Don’t call me by my name. Call me brother."

She smiled faintly. "Brother, rest assured. I’ll never interfere with your relationship with Amanda. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and harmony."

After all, in two days, she would be gone. She would be gone for good and they would never get to see each other again.

Early the next morning, Kelly tidied the house from top to bottom. She gathered all the love letters and the gifts that George had given her and packed them. Then ignoring her feverweakened body, she dragged all of them to the nearest recycling station.

After she had finished, General Palmer returned to the compound and called Kelly into her study, "Kelly, what’s been going on lately? I heard you fell into the river and drown?"

General Palmer was wellknown for his fairness. As long as Kelly told the truth, he would undoubtedly investigate thoroughly. Yet, she was too weary and didn’t want any more conflicts.

"It’s nothing. I just slipped and fell," she replied.

General Palmer frowned. "That’s too dangerous. Stay away from the river next time."

Kelly nodded in agreement.

He then pulled a stack of documents from his back. "Kelly," he said. "I’ve already submitted your name for the selection. In two days, a special vehicle will come to take you there."

Kelly nodded again. "I understand. Thank you, Uncle Rick."

General Palmer studied her for a long moment before he sighed. "Have you packed everything? The base is dry and I’m worried you might not adjust well to that environment."

Before Kelly could answer, George suddenly walked into the study and happened to hear the end of the conversation.

"What’s being packed? Where’s Kelly going?" he demanded.

General Palmer just turned his head toward Kelly but did not say anything.

Kelly said calmly, "I’ve been allocated a unit in the relocation housing. I applied for a room and will be moving out."

General Palmer also nodded in agreement. "Yes, Kelly has decided to leave."

George's brows creased a little, "Why is she moving out? Hasn't she been living well here?"

General Palmer gave him a pointed look with a dumbfounded expression. "Your marriage application with Amanda has been approved. In a few days, you’ll be able to collect your marriage certificate. When you have kids, this house won’t have enough space for everyone to live comfortably."

George’s irritation was evident. "This place is huge. Even if we have children, there’s no need to kick her out."

General Palmer shook his head. "You’re starting your own family. Kelly will eventually marry and have children of her own. She’ll need her own space, too."

George’s face turned deathly pale. The thought of Kelly marrying and having children had never crossed his mind.

In his daze, he accidentally knocked over the stack of documents on the desk.

"What’s this?" he asked. "A list of candidates for the satellite research base?"

Kelly’s heart raced as she feared he might see her name on the list. If he found out, there was no telling what kind of trouble he might stir. All she wanted was to leave quietly.

General Palmer, who was unwilling to let the two of them drift apart so easily, finally spoke up, "Yes, these are the candidates selected for the satellite research base. Aren’t you curious who’s on the list?"

Suspicion flashed in George’s eyes and he reached his hand out for the list.

Kelly panicked and she stepped forward, trying to stop him.

Just then, a sudden cry of pain rang out from outside.

"Ah!" It was Amanda's voice.

George immediately dropped the list and turned toward the door with hurried steps. "Amanda, what’s wrong?" he called out.

General Palmer sighed heavily and shook his head, while Kelly’s expression remained impassive.

"Uncle Rick, just drop it," she said.

General Palmer said, "I just don’t want either of you to have regrets in the future."

It was a done deal and regret or not would not change the fact that she had to leave.

After a long time, General Palmer said, "I have asked George to escort you to the handover location. The day after tomorrow, let George take you on a journey."

Kelly knew she could not argue with him, so she had no choice but to nod.

As soon as she walked out of the study, she saw George standing at the door. He seemed he had something to say.

"What?" Kelly asked.

A flash of panic flashed in George's eyes as he said, "Kelly, why did you throw all the things I gave you into the recycle station?"

Kelly was stunned for a moment before realizing that he was talking about the letters and gifts they exchanged. In the past, she had put so much importance on the things shared between them. Whether it was a piece of scrap paper with graffiti or a valuable watch, she stored it carefully and meticulously.

General Palmer once hired a nanny to take care of the two of them, but the nanny threw away Kelly's letters without asking. Kelly hurriedly ran out to look for them that night and spent a long time before she found the discarded things one by one. When George knew about it, he was so angry and fired the nanny on the spot.

However, today, Kelly did not care anymore. "Well, those things took too much place, so I threw them out. Besides, there is no point in keeping those anymore."

George stared at Kelly's face. He was afraid, he would miss a flicker of her emotion. Unfortunately, he realized that Kelly's expression did not change at all during their conversation.

The treasure that she once had regarded as her life has now become useless.

George did not know why he felt depressed and was a little out of breath. He wanted to question her but didn't know what to say.

At that exact moment, Amanda walked out of the house. Then she said, "George, don't be so cruel to Kelly. She only did it just to get your attention."

After listening to Amanda's words, George felt his nervousness was gone and the expression on his face turned into doubt. He then sighed, "Kelly, do you know that doing this will only make me more disgusted!"

Kelly said calmly, "You've misunderstood me. That's not what I mean."

Then, she walked into the kitchen, took out a piece of firewood and threw it directly on the cardboard box. The memories of the two people over the past eight years were instantly wiped out by the fire.

"Kelly! What are you doing?" George yelled and subconsciously rushed forward to put out the fire, but Amanda hugged him tightly from behind.

Kelly looked up and her eyes met George's eyes straight on, then said calmly, "If you don't want to see anything, burn it and it will be over."

The cardboard box that was in the yard gradually burned to ashes. Meanwhile, George felt that something was being torn away from his heart.

Perhaps out of revenge, George did not have any qualms about showing off his intimacy with Amanda in front of Kelly. Yet, Kelly did not care. She did not even look at him.

Amanda even asked her specifically about her thoughts on the decoration of the new house and she really gave some practical suggestions.

This made George even more annoyed. He could feel that Kelly was getting farther and farther away from him.

Soon, it was time to head to the satellite research base. The night before, George knocked on Kelly's door for the first time.

"Kelly," he said. "Tomorrow, I will drive the specially recruited researchers to the Ten Thousand Satellite Research Base. I will bring some interesting things back to you then."

Kelly smiled lightly and replied, "Okay."

Early the next morning, she packed her things and got into the car early.

Due to the confidentiality of the base, the vehicle had to change drivers and cars at each checkpoint. The car windows were also covered with thick cloth. It was used to prevent the occupants from being seen by others even the drivers.

After Kelly settled into her seat, George emerged from the house. "Dad, don’t worry. I’ll ensure these researchers are safely delivered to the rendezvous point,” he reassured General Palmer before sliding into the driver’s seat. Then, he pushed the accelerator slowly and the car wobbled forward.

Kelly sat quietly, her thoughts a tangled web of emotions. She did not expect her and George's story would end up this way.

The vehicle traveled a considerable distance before it reached the first checkpoint. George brought the car to a stop and opened the back compartment, then signaled for the passengers to transfer to the next vehicle.

Kelly donned her hat, lowered her head and slipped past George without making eye contact.

A strange sensation pricked at George’s heart. It compelled him to glance at her way several times. Soon, he quickly dismissed it and turned his head to another way.

It must have been his imagination. How could that person possibly be Kelly?

However, as Kelly boarded the next car, a gust of wind swept her hat off her head.

“Hey, your hat!” someone shouted.

The shout caught George's attention. He instinctively turned and froze when he saw her. It was truly Kelly!

Their eyes met and blood drained from George's face. He stammered, "KKelly, what are you doing here?"

A voice from the vehicle answered with a chuckle, “Kelly is a satellite researcher. Of course, she’s supposed to be here.”

George suddenly understood everything. He broke into a mad dash toward her. He yelled, "Kelly! Don't go!"