Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 27

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In the days that followed, I quietly cleaned up my life, cutting Ethan out piece by piece. 

He, meanwhile, was busy with Sophia and her so–called IVF. 

All he did was call, saying the same lines on repeat:“It’ll be over soon.“”Ella, just wait for me.” 

Empty words. Lies. I wasn’t falling for them again. 

But the night before the divorce was final, the whole mansion buzzed with unusual energy. 

Ethan’s parents, Robert and Margaret, sat glowing on the couch. Margaret held Sophia’s hand, smiling so wide her cheeks trembled. 

Sophia leaned into Ethan, one hand resting protectively on her still–flat stomach. Her face flushed, shy and radiant. 

The sight made me sick. 

I turned to leave- 

“Ella!” 

Ethan rushed over, pulling me into a hug, his voice shaking with excitement. 

“Sophia’s pregnant! Ella, once the baby’s born, we can use the cord blood for Liam! After that, Sophia will take both kids and leave, and we’ll go back to how we were!” 

Insane. 

The last time I’d seen him this ecstatic was our wedding day–when his hands trembled sliding the ring on my finger, when his eyes overflowed with love as he whispered:“Ella, marrying you is the happiest day of my life.” 

Now? He was glowing because another woman carried his child. And he wanted to share that joy with me. 

I shoved him away. My voice flat, cold. 

“Congrats.” 

The next day was Margaret’s birthday. The Wilson house was decked out, all lights and laughter. 

Center stage, Margaret clung to Sophia’s hand, her voice dripping with pride. 

“Sophia is this family’s hero! First she gave us sweet Liam, and now she’s pregnant again! This is the best birthday gift I’ve ever had!” 

Then her smile vanished as her eyes cut to me. Her words sliced like knives. 

“Unlike someone. Married into this family for years and still nothing. Completely useless. Not fit to shine Sophia’s shoes!” 

The words pierced my ears like needles. I turned away, heading for the backyard. 

By the pool, my pale reflection wavered in the water. 

Footsteps. 

Sophia strolled up, her voice soft but edged with mockery. 

“Ms. Carter, why hide out here? Is it too noisy inside… or just too hard to stomach?” 

“Stay away from me.” My tone was ice. 

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She chuckled, moving closer, her hand stroking her belly, every gesture a boast. 

You know, Ethan and I worked really hard for this baby.” 

Those hotel photos flashed through my mind. My gut twisted. 

I turned to leave. 

“Already running?” 

Her hand shot out, nails digging into my wrist. 

“Let go!” I struggled, but she yanked me toward the pool–then suddenly hurled herself in, dragging me with her. 

SPLASH! 

‘Help! Somebody help me! Help my baby!” 

Her screams shattered the party. 

Ethan bolted out. One glance at Sophia thrashing in the water, and–SPLASH–he dove straight in. 

He didn’t even look at me. 

He swam to Sophia, cradled her against his chest, and pulled her to safety. His voice urgent but gentle: 

“Don’t be scared, Sophia. I’m here. You and the baby will be fine.” 

I watched him clutch her, comfort her, while I coughed and choked in the pool, my chest burning, my heart tearing apart. 

Ethan used to panic if I so much as swallowed a mouthful of water. Now he didn’t care if I drowned. 

I dragged myself to the edge, dripping, shaking. 

*She pushed me!” Sophia rasped. 

She buried her face in his chest, sobbing hysterically. 

“She said I deserved to die! That I stole you! That Liam should never have been born!” 

Ethan’s head snapped up. His eyes–cold, furious–pinned me. 

“Ella. You pushed Sophia?” 

‘I didn’t! She jumped in and dragged me down with her!” 

He gave a short, bitter laugh. 

“She jumped in? And dragged you? Don’t be ridiculous! She treasures this baby more than her life. This is Liam’s only chance. Ella, when did you get so vicious?” 

Vicious. The word cut deeper than a blade. 

And then- 

“Bad woman!” 

Liam barreled toward me, pointing, his little face twisted with rage. 

You tried to kill my mommy! You’re evil! You’re a bad person!” 

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He slammed into me with all his tiny strength. 

My ankle twisted. Pain shot through me. I stumbled- 

SPLASH! 

The water swallowed me whole. 

My ankle throbbed. My strength drained. I flailed, choking. 

“Help! Ethan! Help me!” My screams broke into raw sobs. 

But Ethan, holding Sophia, just stood there. His voice was flat, merciless. 

“Forget her. She’ll float up when she’s done with her little act.” 

And he walked away. 

Despair filled me, heavier than the pool water dragging me down. 

I remembered the first time he taught me to swim. I’d barely gone under thirty seconds before he hauled me out, terrified. 

Now, when I was really drowning, he just called it an act. 

Darkness swallowed me whole.