Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 32

The Miami beach blazed under the sun, the ocean stretching in endless turquoise waves. A warm breeze carried the scent of salt and sea. 

Ethan strolled along the sand with Sophia and their kid. Liam, wide–eyed with excitement, dug into the sand, building a castle with all his little tools. 

“Daddy! Look at my castle! There’s room for all three of us–and the baby in Mommy’s tummy! We can all live in it together!” Liam ran over, tugging Ethan’s hand, his grin unstoppable. 

“Wow, Liam, that’s amazing! Daddy loves it!” Ethan ruffled his hair, but his mind wandered. 

The scene made him remember our honeymoon, just after we got married. 

That night, barefoot on a beach just like this, I’d spun in his arms, wearing a flowing white dress, the moonlight soft on my face. 

He’d kissed me then, and my heartbeat had scrambled, my arms curling tight around him. 

Now, watching Sophia and Liam, he felt it–how long had it been since I’d looked so alive, so full of light and love? 

Ever since Sophia and her son moved in, that spark had dimmed. 

A wave of guilt hit him. He’d neglected me. Owed me more than he could count. 

But Sophia was pregnant now. Everything was “back on track.” 

He swore he’d make it up to me–big. Trips, gifts, fulfilling every wish. Just as he’d promised. 

He tried to shake the uneasy feeling bubbling in his chest. 

“Ethan, Liam’s done playing. Can we go rest?” Sophia’s playful whine pulled him back. 

She hooked her arm through his, leaning into him with practiced ease. He stiffened, barely, but didn’t pull away. 

Sitting on a lounge chair, Sophia scrolled through photos, picking the best shots for Instagram:“Best Daddy ever took the baby to the beach! Sharing our sweet family–of–four life~” 

Ethan’s gaze 

flicked to Sophia’s slightly rounded belly, then to Liam, flushed from the sun. 

A thought surged: we needed our own child. A girl. Pretty, musical, clinging to his arm, calling him “Daddy,” learning piano with me, spoiled into the happiest little princess. A dreamy smile tugged at his lips. 

That afternoon, Sophia took the exhausted Liam back to the hotel for a nap. 

Ethan hit the mall next door alone, planning gifts to surprise me. He was eager to see me again. 

At the counter, the sales associate handed him a neatly wrapped box. 

“Sir, your wife will be thrilled with these gifts.” 

Ethan’s lips curved-“wife.” The word carried his certainty. He imagined returning, handing me the gifts, sweet–talking me, then whisking us off to chase the Northern Lights, to sunrises, anywhere that made me happy. 

Back in the suite, Liam slept. Sophia sprawled on the sofa, flipping through a magazine. Ethan entered, arms full of bags. Her eyes lit up 

like fireworks. 

“Ethan, you’re back! Are you tired?” 

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“Being with you and Liam is the best gift already. Why so many things? Toys for Liam?” 

His brief discomfort went unnoticed by her excitement. 

She grabbed a bag, revealing a Cartier box. “Ethan! For me? I thought-” 

“Not for you,” Ethan interrupted, flat. He set the bag on the table. Sophia froze, shock flashing in her eyes. 

“They’re for Ella,” he added. 

Sophia’s hand retreated. Hatred and resentment flickered behind her forced smile. 

“Oh… for Ms. Carter. I haven’t even thanked her yet. Thanks to her, Liam got his blood transfusion. Ethan, when we get back, let’s thank Ms. Carter together.” 

Ethan nodded, gaze drifting out the window. 

“Ella’s been through a lot. Your baby’s nearly three months. Once things are stable, you and Liam will move out. I’ll make sure you have a good place.” 

Sophia’s smile stiffened. She nodded, then went to check on Liam. Behind her calm, her eyes glimmered with anger and plotting. 

If Liam kept her in the mansion, she’d become Mrs. Wilson, replacing me completely–child in her belly, power in her hands. 

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