Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 29

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The day I was discharged, Ethan helped me into the car. 

He buckled my seatbelt, adjusted the seat, fussing like I might break. 

“Ella, rest when you get home. Don’t push yourself. I’ve got something urgent at the company, but I’ll be back soon.” 

His voice dripped with concern. I just murmured, “Mhm,” closed my eyes, and pretended to sleep. 

When the car rolled up to the mansion, I slipped out, ready to head straight upstairs. 

But the moment I stepped into the living room, something caught my eye. 

Liam. 

He was sprawled on the carpet, eyes shut, skin ghostly pale. 

My chest clenched. 

Did I hate him? Of course. 

He’d shattered the life I thought I had, dragged me into hell. He was the root of all my pain. 

But he was a kid. Innocent. I couldn’t just stand there. 

I sighed and bent down. 

Before I even touched him, Sophia shrieked. She barreled in and shoved me hard. 

“What are you doing to Liam?!” 

Pain exploded as my stomach slammed into the sharp corner of the table. I gasped, but before I could even breathe, Margaret stormed in 

behind her. 

She grabbed my hair, yanked my head back, and smaXX! Her palm cracked across my face. 

“You vicious bitch! How dare you touch my sweet boy!” Her eyes burned with hatred. 

My cheek stung, hot and raw. Blood filled my mouth. My ears rang. My vision blurred. Humiliation and pain made my body shake. 

“Mom! Stop!” 

Ethan’s voice cut through. At some point, he’d come back. He rushed forward, pulling me behind him. 

“What the hell happened?” His brows pinched tight as he looked at Sophia. 

“Ethan!” Sophia burst into tears, pointing at me with trembling fingers. 

“It was her! I saw her crouched by Liam–he wasn’t moving! She must be holding a grudge because Liam pushed her last time! She wanted to hurt him! If anything happens to Liam, how am I supposed to live?!” 

Ethan’s gaze flicked to me. His frown deepened, suspicion in his eyes. 

“Ella, why would you-” 

Then he saw it. The bright red handprint on my cheek. The blood on my lip. 

I stood there trembling, lips pressed tight, eyes blank. Nothing left but exhaustion and despair. 

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Something stabbed through Ethan’s chest. His voice faltered. 

“Get the kid to the hospital first!” he snapped.“We’ll sort this out later–when Liam wakes up.” 

He scooped up the boy and strode out. 

At the ER, I leaned against the wall, pain radiating from my ribs, my face still burning. 

A few feet away, Ethan was busy comforting Sophia as she sobbed into his chest. 

Margaret cursed under her breath, shooting me dagger looks. 

“The child’s awake. Family can come in now,” the doctor finally said. 

The whole group rushed in. 

Liam lay weak on the bed, pale as chalk. 

“Liam!” Sophia rushed to his side, clutching his little hand. Tears streamed down her face. 

“Baby, did someone hurt you? It must have been her! She pushed you on purpose because you pushed her into the water, right?” 

I was standing at the door. Her eyes flicked to me. 

Margaret pressed too, her voice syrupy. 

“Sweetie, don’t be scared. Tell Grandma–was it her?” 

Liam looked at me, confusion clouding his small face. 

But under Sophia’s desperate gaze, he hesitated… then nodded. His finger lifted, pointing straight at me. 

“It… it was her. She pushed me…” 

“You venomous whore!” Margaret roared. She lunged, hand raised to strike again. 

A cold shiver shot through me. My blood turned to ice. I just stared at the boy, stunned. 

Ethan stepped between us. But when he turned to me, his eyes were heavy with disappointment. 

“Ella… he’s just a kid. He wouldn’t lie.” His voice was low, almost tired. 

“I’ve told you. Everything’s almost over. Why can’t you just understand?” 

He shut his eyes, then opened them, colder than ever. 

“Get out. Kneel in the hall.” 

His tone was sharp, merciless. 

“Kneel until Liam and Sophia forgive you.” 

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