Chapter 4

Selene went to the police station and found Quentin, the policeman who'd saved her. His arm hadn't recovered fully and was wrapped in a cast. Quentin asked in confusion, "Why have you decided to enrol at the police academy?" Selene nodded. "I … I have a sister with artistic capabilities. She can learn to be a forensic profiler or help morticians with facial restoration. She wants to enroll at the police academy and do her part to contribute to our nation." Quentin smiled and pointed at his broken arm. "It's a dangerous job, being a policeman. If your sister is artistically inclined, she could get into architecture instead, or something else with an equally bright future." "She's set on it," confirmed Selene, "A courageous policeman like you had saved her, so she hopes to join the police force as well. However, her stamina isn't as amazing as a man's, so she'd like to use her drawing skills to enroll in the police academy. Please tell me about the application process." Quentin stared at her, lost in thought for a moment. Then, he told her how to apply to the police academy. After leaving the station, Selene headed to the bookstore and picked up a few books on preparing for the police academy. They took in prospective candidates as young as high school freshmen. She could build up her stamina and had confidence she'd pass the background check. The only thing Selene had to do now was work on her theoretical knowledge. It was well into the afternoon, so Selene only had eight days left to do so. The seconds were ticking away, and her task was a gargantuan one. Selene immediately headed home with her books and began working through them. Time passed without Selene realizing, and when she looked away from her books, night had fallen. She stretched before opening the window to let some fresh air in. The first snow of the year greeted her as she did. In the garden, she could see the silhouette of a couple. Charlie was building a snowman while Bella stood beside him with Malcolm in her arms. He was giggling happily. "Chuck, you're amazing. What a gorgeous snowman!" "Look, Malcolm, Daddy's building you a snowman. Do you like it?" Charlie said with a smile, "This is his first time seeing snow, right?" Bella nodded and said, "Yeah, Malcolm's got it good. His daddy is building him a snowman at such a young age. Look, Chuck, he's so happy!" Malcolm squeaked happily and made grabby hands toward Charlie. Charlie felt bad. "Daddy just finished building a snowman. My hands are super icy. Let Mommy continue holding you, alright?" However, Malcolm refused to give in. He pouted, looking like he was about to begin wailing. Charlie couldn't allow that to happen. He rubbed at his hands to warm them before taking Malcolm from Bella, cradling him against his chest. Malcolm stopped crying. As he was being held by Charlie, Malcolm also held on to Bella. The elder of the two smiled and asked, "What does he mean? He wants me to hold him, yet he's not letting go of you." Bella suggested, "He wants Mom and Dad to stay by him forever." Charlie was silent. "Chuck, I know you used to love Selene, but our child can't grow up without his mom. Please don't kick me out. Please… I want to be with him every step of the way." Selene was going to close the windows as she didn't want to look at them. However, when she heard that, she paused. Then, she heard Charlie promise, "I won't separate him from his mother." Bella still felt threatened. "Are you going to send him away with me? He can't be without his father either. It's not to mention that Malcolm's a boy as well. "What if he gets bullied in kindergarten? Does that mean I won't be able to bring you up entirely? All the kids will call him a bastard, unwanted by his father." "I won't allow anyone to call my son a bastard," said Charlie. "He must not be without his father or mother." "In that case, what about Selene?" Charlie considered her question for a moment before saying, "She loves me. I'll talk it out with her. In the future, we'll tell the public she's my wife, but when we get home, you're the mother of my child." "Would Selene agree to that?" "She's kind and won't bear to let a child suffer…" Selene shut the window. She didn't want to hear the rest of their conversation. It was the 21st century. Selene could not accept the archaic tradition of multiple wives serving their husband together. Selene would not give in. Malcolm was innocent, and she didn't want to be the bad guy, making him grow up in a broken family. Since this was the situation, Selene would back out. That was the best option she had. After a few minutes, there was a knock at Selene's door. Charlie asked, "Selly, are you asleep?" "Yes." Charlie chuckled and said, "You haven't slept, have you? I brought you a cup of warm milk. Why don't you open the door? Drink it before going to sleep." Selene had no desire to open the door. However, after giving it a moment's thought, she decided to open the door. After all, this was Charlie's house. Charlie's skin was still cold from the wind outside. "Selly, here's the warm milk. Drink it while it's still warm." Selene stated, "Just say whatever you're here to say and get out after you're done. I'd like to go to bed soon." Opening and closing his mouth a few times, Charlie paused before asking, "Regarding Bella's future arrangements, what about this…" Cutting him off, Selene said, "Let her stay." Charlie was pleasantly surprised. "Selly, are you willing to let Bella stay?" Selene was leaving soon. Whether Bella left or stayed no longer mattered to her. "Yeah." Out of happiness, Charlie picked Selene up. "I knew it, Selly! You're so kind, and you love me so much. Naturally, you would compromise when necessary. "Don't worry, I'll provide you with everything I would give my wife! We'll be together like how we were before!" In the past, whenever Charlie hugged her, Selene would always be overjoyed. However, she now subconsciously disliked it when he got close to her, especially when he smelled of another woman's perfume, the odor mixed with the milky smell of a baby. It only served to remind her that Charlie was another woman's husband and the father of someone else's son. He was no longer the man Selene loved.