I Waited 8 Years, He Had a Wife and Child

I had been stationed at a medical outpost on the edge of the western desert for eight years.

In the eighth year, just when I thought our long-distance relationship, stretched across over a thousand miles, was finally about to end, my transfer request was rejected again.

The reason was always the same: "Key medical personnel in remote areas, transfer temporarily deferred."

With red-rimmed eyes, I dialed Ethan's number, but a little girl answered the phone.

"Are you looking for my daddy?" the little girl's voice was soft and sweet. "Daddy is blow-drying Mommy's hair.