Chapter 5
+25 BONUS
Once the plane landed, I had to travel quite a distance before finally arriving at the school where I was volunteering.
The surroundings were simple and basic, but the fresh mountain air helped me relax completely.
The next day, I stood inside the drafty classroom and smiled gently at the innocent, slightly dirt–smudged faces gazing back
at me.
I adapted quickly to the environment. I spent my mornings and afternoons teaching students in three different grades, then
came home to cook dinner after work.
There was no cafeteria in the school, so if I wanted to buy anything, I had to hike down the mountain to a nearby town.
Soon, I got to know the other teachers in my dormitory. Most had signed the minimum three–year commitment and were
counting the days until they could return to their hometowns.
I was the only one who had signed a ten–year contract. In fact, I was beginning to consider staying permanently.
In my second week, a newly arrived volunteer resigned and returned to the city, unable to cope with the harsh conditions.
Due to the severe shortage of staff, the principal, Tobias Grant, reassigned that teacher’s classes to me. I was swamped, but
fulfilled.
Spending each day with those bright–eyed children brought me genuine joy.
Still, I never expected Hades to find me after just one month.
That day, I had just finished teaching my last class when a student came to tell me a disabled man had been standing outside the school for quite a while.
I froze momentarily, but the answer was obvious.
When I stepped outside, there he was–Hades, looking exhausted and clearly drained from having limped all that way.
Upon seeing me, his eyes reddened as he hobbled toward me.
“Cassandra, why did you leave without saying a word? Why didn’t you wait for me to go home and hold the wedding? Why did you give Olivia your wedding dress?”
His voice trembled with sorrow at first, but by the end, his expression blazed with rage.
I couldn’t believe the audacity behind his questions. I sneered and replied, “Why? I simply stepped aside so Olivia could take my place. That way, your precious ‘uncle and niece‘ relationship can finally see the light of day.”
