I Returned to the Day He Brought His First Love Home-Chapter 107: I Can Wait

"Y-You, what did you say?" Grace was startled.

She hadn’t expected Archer to be so direct, confessing to her just like that.

She was completely unprepared and, for a moment, didn’t know how to respond.

"If you haven’t made up your mind, you don’t have to answer me right away. I have to return to my unit now. I know you’ll definitely get into Crestwood University."

"In three months, I’ll come find you at Crestwood University."

"You can answer me then, okay?" Archer looked at Grace’s startled expression and felt a pang of regret.

He had, after all, been a bit too hasty. But he was about to undertake a very dangerous mission, with no guarantee he would return alive. He needed an anchor, something that would make him cherish his own life more and ensure his safe return.

He was afraid that if he didn’t say certain things now, he might never get another chance.

It was just like when he left all those years ago. He had originally wanted to say goodbye to Grace and ask her to wait for him.

But something unexpected happened, and he never got the chance to tell her. By the time he returned to Prospera Town, Grace was already married.

That day, he watched as Grace, wearing a red dress, sat on the back of Caleb Forrest’s bicycle, her face lit up with a brilliant, happy smile.

He felt an unbearable pain, as if his heart was being torn apart.

He had thought he’d lost his chance forever. But who would have known they would meet again in a hospital, with Grace and Caleb Forrest demanding a divorce?

When he found out she was getting a divorce, he even felt a secret thrill of joy.

Now, having eagerly blurted out the words he’d held in his heart, he was on edge once more.

Grace’s heart was beating a little fast.

She didn’t dare to meet Archer’s gaze, her mind rapidly replaying their encounters since they’d met again.

’Nothing special seemed to have happened.’

’Why did Archer suddenly confess to me?’

"Archer, I just got divorced, and besides, Caleb and I..." After the initial flurry of excitement and shock, Grace calmed down.

She lifted her head to look at Archer, her expression serious.

The moment he saw her expression, Archer panicked. "Grace, please, think it over carefully. I don’t mind waiting. I’ve already waited for you for so many years; I can wait a little longer."

"Please don’t be in such a hurry to reject me, okay?"

’Waited for so many years?’

Grace was stunned.

"Wh-What do you mean? You’ve been waiting for me?" she couldn’t help but ask.

An answer was already bubbling to the surface of her mind.

Archer clenched his fists and mustered his courage. "The truth is, I’ve liked you since we were young. I even told your brother that I would marry you after you graduated from high school."

"But then something happened with my family, and I didn’t even have time to say goodbye to you."

"But I left you a letter. I..."

As he said this, the light in Archer’s eyes dimmed. "Actually, you already rejected me back then, didn’t you?"

Grace’s eyes widened. "What letter?"

’I’ve never seen any letter.’

Back then, she had cried for days because Archer had left without a word.

But soon enough, other things demanded her attention, and she no longer had time to dwell on Archer’s departure.

"You never received it? The letter I slipped into the crack of your door..." As Archer spoke, he suddenly realized something.

’Back then, Grace was only sixteen or seventeen—not very old. If Irene Lynch and her husband saw a letter where I confessed my feelings to Grace, of course they would have taken it. It would have been a miracle if they hadn’t.’

He gave a bitter smile. "In that case, Grace, let me confess to you one more time. I like you. I’ve liked you for a very, very long time. Would you be willing to date me? With the intention of getting married."

Grace opened her mouth to speak but, looking at Archer, found herself at a loss for words.

After a long silence, she finally spoke. "I’m sorry, Archer. I’m not planning on considering marriage until I’ve finished my studies."

Archer didn’t seem at all surprised by her choice. "Then what about after you graduate from college? Do I still have a chance?"

Grace didn’t answer right away.

’After what I just went through with Caleb, I don’t plan on thinking about romance anytime soon.’

’As for Archer... he really is a good man.’

’But Caleb was a good man before we got married, too. And after? What happened then?’

’Everything changes.’

’A woman shouldn’t gamble the rest of her life on a single man.’

’I need to have my own career, my own life plan. I can’t spend half my life just revolving around a man.’

’That’s what I did in my past life. I worked my fingers to the bone, my entire existence revolving around one man, and my end was miserable.’

’I will absolutely not allow myself to make the same mistake twice.’

"I understand. I won’t give up." Seeing the hesitation in Grace’s eyes, Archer broke into a smile.

"If I decide I want to start dating again, I’ll definitely consider you first," Grace said, looking at the man before her with an earnest expression.

She had to admit she had a soft spot for Archer.

’After all, back when they were young, Archer was her first love.’

’That first crush is always the most unforgettable.’

’Archer had always been treasured in the deepest corner of her heart.’ 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

’It’s just that right now, I can’t be sure of my own feelings, nor can I be sure of Archer’s true intentions.’

"Okay."

"My train leaves this afternoon. This is for you. I’m looking forward to the next time we meet." Archer pressed a blue gift box into Grace’s hands, then turned and ran off.

He ran a short distance, then turned back and waved energetically at Grace. "Grace, see you at Crestwood University in three months!"

Grace raised her hand and waved back.

She watched his figure recede into the distance, then lowered her head. Her gaze fell upon the blue gift box in her hands, which was still warm from Archer’s touch.

She stroked the gift box and, after a long moment, gave a resigned smile.

When she returned to the office, a group of people immediately crowded around her.

"Grace, who was that waiting for you at the door?"

"He was so handsome! Is that your boyfriend?"

"Are you planning on getting married?"

"But you just took the college entrance exams. If you get into a university, will his family let you go? He looks a bit older, doesn’t he? Can he really wait a few years for you?"

Everyone in the office began chattering, each person chiming in with their own question.

Grace looked completely exasperated. "Everyone, everyone, please quiet down. There’s nothing going on between us. He’s just like an older brother to me. We’re not dating."

"What a shame! Grace, if you’re not interested in him, could you introduce him to me? I’ve got my eye on him," a female colleague said with a laugh.

Grace glanced at the other woman, briefly picturing her standing next to Archer, then shook her head. "Sorry, he’s already gone back to his unit. He just came to say goodbye today. I didn’t get his address, so I have no way to contact him."

Hearing Grace’s reply, the woman looked crestfallen.

But her spirits quickly revived. "That’s okay! As long as he’s from Prospera Town, we’re bound to have another chance to meet. The next time I see him, I’ll definitely ask for his contact info and see if he wants to go out with me."

"Oh, give me a break. It’s obvious he likes Grace. Why would he ever agree to date you?"

The group continued to laugh and tease one another. Grace just listened, her fingers subconsciously tightening their grip on the gift box.

’Does he really like me?’

’And even if he does, how long can a feeling like that last?’