The verdurous river was like a flowing jade belt surrounding the small city. The low hills were covered by trees opposite the small city and scattered tiny wooden houses hid behind the trees. An elegant, clean and quiet chalet was sitting right on the river bank on the hillside with the most trees. Even its sight made visitors feel relaxed and stress-free, a perfect place to retreat and recover from hectic everyday life. Emerald, who was still in her pajamas, was sitting barefoot by the window near the river. Fisher boats were passing by on the river with smiling fishers, providing the perfect oasis with a sense of peace and harmony. She could hear the rustling of the river, and the fall leaves playing in the air over the hill. She wished she could sit here alone forever, far from everything else. Mary, an elderly neighbor who had been hired to take care of Emerald, saw her sitting there, lost in deep thoughts. She immediately took a pair of slippers and put them beside Emerald’s feet. Emerald lifted her head and smiled with gratitude at Mary before slipping her feet into the slippers. Mary went happily back to the kitchen. “Em, I bought some fresh vegetables and chicken to make soup for you.” After a short silence, Emerald said in a low voice. “Maybe you don’t need to cook for me today.” Her bedroom was on the second floor. On the bedside table of the soft, king-size bed were several medicine bottles. Opposite to the bed was a closet, filled with the clothes she had been given by well-meaning people in Hope City back when she was the pet of Kenzo Lane. Slowly, she opened the closet to choose which dress to wear for the day. She hadn’t expected Harvey to bring these to Planet Freedom. Had Harvey known that she wouldn’t manage to escape Patrick’s control? On their way back to Planet Freedom, she had been so weak that she had been sleeping most of the time. Patrick had held her every night but had not touched her sexually. They had barely talked to each other as if there was a wall between them. Emerald knew what her wall was but didn’t know Patrick’s thoughts. Maybe he was irritated by her lack of appreciation of his kindness, or his machismo possessiveness made him act like this? But she couldn’t yield to him or ingratiate herself with him because of her changed feelings toward him. Was she still the same to him? When she had woken up, she had already been in this small city. Harvey had called her and told her to take care of herself and that the doctor would come to re-examine her. Patrick had disappeared and never shown up again. This small paradise near Freedom City was the holiday resort of the planet, quiet and refreshing like a countryside retreat. She had recovered fast in this environment. Two days ago, the doctor had informed her that she had recovered well and was back to good health again. Today it was one month since their cold war. He had told her that she had one month to recover. She picked a simple, long beige dress and a small black jacket with a pair of stiletto boots and simple lipstick. The girl in the mirror looked healthier than she had a month ago. After spending a year in the army, her eyes and brows looked sharper, even though she wasn’t wearing her military uniform. Looking at her own reflection in the mirror, she thought of the beautiful nebula and flying Cheetahs. She just now realized how much she yearned for that feeling of freedom. The freedom of flying through space where the repression and disappointments caused by Patrick seemed less important and less miserable those times. She quickly reminded herself that there was nothing for her to feel upset about. She was alive, an excellent pilot, and for a second, she had thought that she had found the Earth. Even though she still had a long way to go, and there was a possibility that she wouldn’t live long enough to find the Earth, she had fallen in love with the feeling of flying, and she wanted to keep that freedom. Patrick was powerful enough that he could do everything. Maybe she would never manage to rival him, but did it matter? Since he didn’t love her, she was determined to overcome her feelings for him. Those shivering, moving moments, full of fear and excitement, those feelings that made her whole-body tremble, were nothing but a beautiful dream of hers. Even if she succumbed to him, he would lose interest in her one day, and she would be able to leave him. That day would come eventually. She walked downstairs with a light smile on her face. Mary was surprised to see Emerald all dressed up. “You look really beautiful in that dress.” She smiled amiably. “Are you going to meet the mister in Freedom City?”Emerald didn’t answer. She knew that Mary thought of her as a mistress who was kept here by some rich man, which was a half-truth. Emerald was still thinking about her current situation when she heard a car approaching. A few seconds later, someone knocked politely on the door. Mary hurried to open the door. Emerald was still sitting on the sofa, breathing deeply to prepare herself mentally for what was to come. “Where is Mrs. Lewis?” Harvey asked by the door. Emerald was shocked when she heard Mary answer. “Oh, she is in the living room.” Harvey walked in and looked Emerald directly in her eyes with a profound smile. He didn’t elaborate, just slightly bowed to Emerald and said, “Miss Wilson, the Commander is waiting for you.” The bulletproof car raced through the highway, taking only half an hour to reach Freedom City. Emerald remained silent throughout the drive while Harvey and the military policeman who was sitting in front of her were talking every now and then. Looking at the bustling scene of the city outside the window, Emerald couldn’t help getting nervous. She guessed that Harvey had called her “Mrs. Lewis” due to some misunderstanding, but these two simple words had stirred mixed feelings inside her. Nevertheless, she told herself that it was unnecessary to repress her nervous feelings because everyone was afraid and nervous in front of Patrick Lewis.