─═✧✧═─ 𝔽𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝟙𝟡𝟙𝟚 ─═✧✧═─

The Wounded Heart

Preview of Book two

     Returning Home

        Chapter One

The world had changed in ways Mia could scarcely comprehend. The echoes of war had touched every corner of life, from the fields of battle to the quiet streets of small towns. In the year since Henry's departure, Mia had been living in a world overshadowed by conflict, her days a mix of longing, hope, and uncertainty.

It was a cold November evening when the news arrived. Mia had been working in the garden, her hands numbed by the chill, when a courier from the local post office came with a letter in hand. The envelope bore a familiar, elegant handwriting, and Mia's heart skipped a beat as she tore it open.

The letter was from Henry's family, and the news was both dire and heart-wrenching. Henry had been injured in battle and was recovering in a military hospital. The letter was filled with reassurances, but the reality of Henry's condition was clear—he was wounded, and the road to recovery would be long and uncertain.

Mia's hands trembled as she read the letter, her mind racing with worry and fear. Henry had been in her thoughts constantly, and the realisation that he was suffering brought a fresh wave of anguish. She knew she had to be strong, but the weight of the news was almost too much to bear.

That evening, Mia found herself in a state of restless anxiety. The house, once a place of warmth and comfort, now felt cold and empty. She paced the rooms, her mind consumed by thoughts of Henry. How badly was he hurt? How long would his recovery take? And, most importantly, how could she help him?

As she sat by the window, watching the first snowflakes of winter drift down from the sky, Mia made a decision. She would not wait passively. She would go to him, offer whatever support she could, and be there for him in his time of need.

The next morning, Mia began preparing for the journey. The travel would be arduous, and the conditions less than ideal, but her resolve was unshakeable. She packed a small bag with essentials, including a few personal items and a carefully prepared package of the forget-me-not seeds Henry had given her. They were a symbol of their connection, and she wanted to bring them with her as a reminder of their love.

Mia's departure was marked by a mixture of determination and sadness. She bid farewell to the life she had known in 1912, knowing that she might not return to it for some time. The journey to the military hospital would be long, and the world outside was still reeling from the effects of war.

As Mia set out, she carried with her not just the physical burden of her journey, but the emotional weight of her love for Henry and the hope that she would find him on the path to recovery. The road ahead was uncertain, but she was driven by the promise she had made to him and the desire to be by his side, no matter the obstacles.

The trip was gruelling. Mia faced harsh winter weather, treacherous roads, and the constant worry that accompanied her every step. But her determination never wavered. She was driven by the image of Henry in her mind—his smile, his voice, and the promise of their future together.

After days of travel, she finally arrived at the military hospital. The building was large and imposing, a stark contrast to the quiet, intimate moments she had shared with Henry. The air inside was filled with the sterile scent of antiseptics and the low murmur of medical staff and patients.

Mia made her way to the ward where Henry was being treated. Her heart pounded with anticipation and fear. She had no way of knowing what to expect, but the letter had described him as being in stable condition, if still in need of considerable care.

As she approached his bed, Mia's breath caught in her throat. There, lying amidst a sea of white sheets and medical equipment, was Henry. His face was pale, but his eyes, though weary, held a flicker of recognition when he saw her.

"Mia?" Henry's voice was weak but filled with emotion.

Tears filled Mia's eyes as she rushed to his side. She took his hand in hers, her touch gentle but firm. "I'm here, Henry. I came as soon as I could."

Henry's expression softened with relief. "I didn't expect you... but I'm so glad you're here."

They sat together in the quiet of the hospital room, the noise of the war outside seeming to fade away in the face of their reunion. The forget-me-not seeds, safely tucked away, seemed to promise a future beyond the immediate challenges they faced.

As Mia and Henry shared their stories and their hopes, the bond between them was reaffirmed. The road to recovery would be long, and the effects of the war would be felt for years to come, but in that moment, they found solace in each other's presence.

The world outside continued to be a place of uncertainty and conflict, but within the walls of the hospital, amidst the trials of war, Mia and Henry found a quiet refuge. Their love, tested by distance and hardship, remained a constant beacon of hope and strength.

And as they faced the future together, they did so with the knowledge that, no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them united, with love as their guiding light.