Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 30

7 

Disinfectant hung heavy in the air, making it hard to breathe. 

I didn’t know how long I’d been kneeling. Cold from the tile seeped into my knees, numbing my whole body. 

People bustled past outside the ER. Curious stares. Pity. Contempt. 

Whispers swarmed in my ears, sharp as needles. 

The world blurred. My body gave out. Darkness swallowed me whole. 

I came back to the sound of my name being ripped from Ethan’s throat. 

He had me by the arm, his grip so tight I thought my bones might snap. 

“Liam needs a transfusion. Blood bank’s low. You’re O–negative–universal donor. Get up and give blood. Now!” 

His voice was raw, a command. 

A sledgehammer hit my chest. I yanked back, shaking my head. 

“No… I won’t… let me go-” 

“You don’t get a choice!” Ethan’s roar split the air, his eyes blazing. 

“If 

you hadn’t pushed Liam, he wouldn’t even be here. You owe him this, Ella. Pay up!” 

“I never pushed him! Why won’t you believe me?!” 

My scream shredded my throat, but it didn’t touch him. 

He shoved me down, barking at the nurse: 

“Draw the blood! Now!” 

I trembled as the long, thick needle slid into my vein. 

I remembered the old days–routine check–ups. 

Ethan would hover nervously, even when I was fine. His big hand would cover my eyes, his voice low and coaxing: 

“Don’t look. Just squeeze me if it hurts.” 

Now, as my blood drained, he didn’t even glance at me. He only paced, frantic. 

“Can’t you go faster? My kid’s life is on the line!” 

The grief, the blood loss–it all blurred into black waves. My body turned weightless, icy. Darkness swallowed me again. 

“Ms. Carter? Ms. Carter!” 

The nurse’s urgent voice yanked me back. I forced my eyes open. She was staring down at me, pale with worry. 

“You nearly went into shock. They drew too much–your body’s already weak. You must rest.” 

I gave a faint nod, too drained to speak. 

The door slammed open. Ethan strode in. 

18:06 

Menu 

10.7% 

< 7 

He stopped by the bed, eyes flickering with something unreadable before hardening again. 

“The transfusion’s done. Liam’s stable for now.” 

His tone was flat, weary. “Ella, please–don’t hurt the kid anymore.” 

Already convinced I had. 

I just stared at the ceiling. Blank. Hollow. 

He hesitated, then spoke again, voice clipped. 

“To make it up to Liam–and cheer him up–I’m taking him and Sophia to Miami for a few days. You stay here. Rest.” 

At the door, he paused. His back to me. 

“Ella… stop with the drama, okay? Just–for me–stay put.” 

Click. The door shut. Silence swallowed the room, broken only by the steady drip of the IV. 

“For him?” 

The words scraped my cracked lips, too soft to carry. 

For him, I gave up my dreams. 

For him, I forgave betrayal, again and again. 

For him, I endured every wound, every humiliation. 

And all I got was more suspicion. More pain. 

I closed my eyes, my heart ice–cold. 

Ethan- 

From this moment on, I live only for myself.