Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 57

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“But isn’t the general manager being a bit exaggerated?” 

Carice’s fingers trembled slightly as she clutched her phone, the suitcase wheels making a clicking sound as they got stuck in the airport tiles. Karen Basso’s hearty laughter came through the phone:“Why would you think it’s exaggerated? Carice, have you forgotten how we teamed up to win the gold medal in the entrepreneurship competition back in college? The business proposal you wrote even had the professors praising it nonstop.” 

After a pause, her tone suddenly turned serious, “I’ve always believed in you. It’s just that back then… your eyes were only on Rufus. Those words were like a fine needle, gently piercing a corner of Carice’s heart that she didn’t want to touch. 

Leaning against an airport pillar, watching the hurried flow of passengers, memories suddenly surged. Back then, she was indeed the department’s top student, receiving offers from multiple listed companies after graduation. 

She could have built her own career. 

This was once her dream. 

But after falling in love with Rufus, she almost without hesitation gave up all opportunities, wholeheartedly wanting to be a dutiful Mrs. Sackhoff. 

She loved him, so she willingly gave up her dreams. 

But she never imagined that all of this was a mistake from the very beginning. 

Someone else lived in his heart, so no matter how much she gave, in his eyes it was nothing more than insignificant. 

“Carice, you’ve trapped yourself in this marriage for too long.” 

Karen’s voice was filled with concern, “That time I attended a banquet and saw your state, I felt you I shouldn’t be like this.” 

Carice bit her lip, her nails digging deep into her palms. 

It turned out those details she had deliberately ignored were as clear as day in others‘ eyes. 

She heard her own hoarse voice:“So, all these years, you’ve been trying to pull me into the company?” 

“Of course!” 

Karen Basso raised her voice, “Your professional skills, management talent–they’d shine brightly in the workplace. Before, seeing you devoted entirely to family, I couldn’t bear to shatter your illusions. Now it’s great, you’re finally free! So, you can’t refuse me!” 

Free. 

This unfamiliar word struck Carice‘ heart heavily. 

She seemed so distant from this word. 

Carice recalled a friend describing each of their past suicide attempts. 

Even now, it felt heart–stopping to her. 

That someone would truly be willing to die for another person. 

She wanted to understand. 

But thankfully, it was all over now. 

She looked up at the dazzling sunlight outside the airport, feeling the stifling weight in her chest ease slightly for the first time in three years. Her phone vibrated with a new message–an address sent by Karen Basso, along with a voice note:“The place is mine, feel free to stay as long as you like, fully furnished with all appliances, just move right in! Shall I pick you up tomorrow to show around?” 

“No need, I’ll head straight to the company tomorrow.” 

Carice suddenly laughed, her voice carrying a long–lost decisiveness. 

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“I’ll prepare the onboarding materials. I need to familiarize myself with the process ASAP, Ms. Basso.” 

The moment she hung up, Carice felt her body suddenly grow lighter. 

She dragged her suitcase towards the taxi stand, her fingertips brushing over the address on her phone screen. 

As the taxi started, she received the last message from Karen Basso: “Welcome! My Ms. Thwaites.” 

Watching the rapidly receding street scenes outside the window, Carice opened her phone album and deleted all photos related to Rufus. When the last wedding photo disappeared from the screen, she let out a long sigh and stuffed her phone back into her bag. 

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Ahead, tall trees stood firmly by the roadside. 

Carice‘ heart suddenly filled with anticipation for the future. 

At the same time, she bid farewell to her past self, and now, she was ready to become the confident and spirited person she once was. 

As for Rufus, he was merely an outdated chapter in her life that should have been turned long ago.