Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 33

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The moment the plane landed, Ethan couldn’t wait to drive to the mansion, eager to get home. 

He clutched the meticulously chosen gift bags, his steps hurried as he pushed open the villa’s front door. 

“Ella?” he called out, his voice thick with the longing of days apart. But the villa was silent, no one answered. 

He frowned, tossing the gift bags onto the entryway console, then strode quickly towards the master bedroom. 

Was Ella still resting in her room? he wondered. 

He hurried to the bedroom, pushed open the door, only to find it empty. 

A faint, almost imperceptible unease flickered in his chest. Had Ella gone out for a walk early? Hadn’t they agreed he’d go with her once 

she’d recovered? 

Was Ella still mad at him? Yeah, that had to be it. 

He told himself that, forcing down the unexplainable anxiety. 

He scanned the bedroom. The vanity was perfectly organized. The matching couple mugs he’d made for them by hand were still on the nightstand. He pulled open the closet. Her clothes were neatly arranged. A small sigh of relief escaped him. 

He pulled out his phone, about to call her. 

“Ethan,” Sophia’s voice drifted in.“Ms. Carter’s not home?” 

Sophia’s voice drifted in from the doorway, carrying just the right touch of concern. She stepped into the bedroom, a gentle smile playing on her lips. 

“Ethan, you must be exhausted from rushing back.” 

She walked over to Ethan, sitting down right next to him, her voice dropping to a softer tone: 

“You look a little stressed. Worried about Ms. Carter? Don’t be. Didn’t she say she was just going out to clear her head? Women, you know. Getting a little moody is totally normal. She’ll snap out of it in a few days. She’ll be back, for sure.” 

She reached out to rub Ethan’s temples, but he jerked his head away, dodging her hand with an unconscious mix of irritation and 

resistance. 

Sophia’s hand froze mid–air, her smile instantly faltering, replaced by a look of hurt and offense.“Ethan, I was just trying to help…” 

“Sorry, Sophia.” Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice heavy with exhaustion. 

“Please 

go 

check on Liam. I need some time alone.” 

Sophia lowered her head, her nails digging deep into her palms. She silently backed out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. 

The moment the door clicked shut, the meek expression on her face vanished, leaving only cold, venomous resentment. 

Ethan dialed my number. 

“Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off. Please try again later…” Only the cold, automated female voice answered. 

He immediately opened our chat on Messenger, fingers typing on the screen. 

[Ella, I’m back from my trip. Call me when you see this.] 

11.8% 

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It failed! 

Ethan’s eyes widened in disbelief! Ella had blocked him? 

A mix of anger and helplessness surged through him. 

He thought I’d finally been sensible, but nope, still so childish, so dramatic! 

Whatever. She’ll calm down and realize her mistake, then she’ll come back. 

He gripped his phone, forcing down the sudden, unexplainable panic in his chest. 

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