Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 26

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Back in my room, I opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out the two glaring red marriage certificates. 

The day we got them, Ethan couldn’t stop staring, grinning like a fool, clutching them to his chest. His voice had been full of happiness, full of promise: 

“I’m gonna carry this everywhere. My lucky charm!” 

Now, the certificates sat silent in the drawer–like our love, already fading to nothing. 

I drove to the County Courthouse alone, with the signed divorce papers and those two marriage certificates. 

The last time I came here, Ethan was with me. I was full of hope then, ready to give him my whole life. 

Now, I was here alone, to end a marriage that had been rotting for years. 

“You can pick up your divorce decree in thirty days.” 

The clerk’s voice snapped me back. I murmured a thank–you and walked out. 

On the courthouse steps, I pulled out my phone and booked a ticket to Vienna for the day the divorce would be finalized. 

Vienna had always been my dream. Until Ethan. Then my dream shifted–spending forever with him, giving up everything for him. 

Now that it was over, it was time to reclaim myself. 

Back at the villa, a knock sounded. 

Sophia walked in, her face painted with apology, but her eyes glittered with victory. 

“Ms. Carter,” she said softly, “I know everything lately has made you uncomfortable. But I only did it to save Liam. Ethan and I–it’s just for the baby, nothing more.” 

She stepped closer, all sincerity.“Please understand what a mother would do for her child. I swear, once the baby’s born and Liam’s safe, I’ll disappear!” 

She bowed, hair falling forward. That’s when I saw it–a fresh red mark on her neck. 

My chest froze, my heart gripped by ice. 

Ethan’s promise rang in my ears:“I’ll only do IVF. I’ll never touch her.” 

What a joke. 

Sophia saw my face pale, and the corner of her lips curved in smug triumph before she slipped out the door. 

The second the lock clicked, my hands trembled as I grabbed my phone and called a private investigator. My voice shook, but my words were sharp: 

“Find out everything about Ethan and Sophia. Where they’ve been, what they’ve done. Money’s no issue. I want it fast.” 

An hour later, my phone buzzed. 

I opened the PI’s email. 

Photos filled the screen. 

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Ethan’s arm wrapped tight around Sophia’s waist. Their bodies close. His smile soft. Her cheeks pink. 

And the place they were headed? A hotel. 

I stared until my eyes burned dry. Then I scrolled through every last photo, slicing myself open with each one. 

And I laughed. 

But the laughter cracked, breaking into sobs. Hot, bitter tears streamed down my face. 

Ethan. 

You lied again. 

Every promise. Every “love.” 

Nothing but lies.