Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 17

17 

A day later. 

The plane began its slow descent. 

Eighteen grueling hours later, Lucas finally touched down in Fairfield City. 

As the plane prepared for disembarking, Lucas, unusually tense, turned to his secretary. “Is my attire… acceptable?” he asked, a hint of desperation in his tone. 

His secretary, who’d never witnessed such an unsettling display from Mr. Thorne, could only offer a soothing reply. “Mr. Thorne, you look impeccable. Please, there’s absolutely no need to worry.” 

But Lucas still felt like a wreck. He hadn’t slept or eaten properly in days, his face gaunt, terrified he wouldn’t be able to present his best self to me. 

The moment he disembarked, he headed straight for a flower shop near the airport, picking out a lush bouquet of my favorite baby’s breath. Next, a luxury boutique, where he carefully selected my usual perfume and an exquisite set of jewelry. 

On the way to the orphanage, Lucas’s heart hammered in his chest. 

His thoughts were a frantic scramble, entirely consumed by how she would react when she saw him. 

Would it be surprise? Doubt? Or a familiar ache of sorrow? 

Would there be even a flicker of longing? 

They had shared so much, so many joyous moments, so much beauty. He couldn’t let go of it; surely, she felt the same way. 

Lucas took a deep, bracing breath just as the car pulled to a stop in front of the orphanage gates. 

He tightened his grip on the bouquet, pushed open the car door, and stepped out. His hand rose instinctively to smooth his hair, a small, nervous gesture. Then, squaring his shoulders, he strode through the orphanage’s main gates. 

But the moment he stepped into the courtyard, his eyes flew wide open. 

There, by a stone pillar, she was laughing, playing joyfully with the children. A wide, unburdened smile curved her lips–one he hadn’t seen on her face in what felt like an eternity. 

Lucas watched, utterly captivated, as if falling in love with her all over again in that single instant. Her pure, unadulterated smile yanked him back to the very day he’d first laid eyes on her–the day he’d fallen head over heels. 

He had once truly believed they were destined to grow old together. 

Lucas gazed at me, utterly captivated. A profound emotion stirred within him, urging him forward, but just as he started to bridge the distance, a figure suddenly appeared beside me. 

The man was young and tall, and he even dared to lightly take my wrist, leaning in to whisper something intimately to me. 

And I quickly offered him a look of complete trust – an expression Lucas swore had once been exclusively his! 

In that instant, Lucas’s entire body shook with fury, a venomous jealousy searing through him. His jaw clenched so tight it ached. Unable to contain himself any longer, he stormed forward and bellowed, “Wife!” 

Instantly, Evan and I both whipped our heads around. 

6.1% 

< 17 

The moment my eyes locked onto Lucas’s face, I sucked in a sharp, cold breath. 

My mind raced, a lightning storm of thoughts converging: 

How did he get here? 

Is he following me? 

But… how was that possible? I’d been so careful. Where had he gotten his information? 

Before I could even process what was happening, Lucas’s hand clamped onto my shoulder. His voice was raw, his lips trembling, “I’m here to take you home. Come back with me. We’re leaving the past behind us.” 

“Baby, let’s start over.” 

< 18