Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 41

18 

“Ella!” 

Ethan roared, his voice laced with a tremor and fear he hadn’t even noticed himself. 

When I heard Ethan’s voice, I was in disbelief at first, thinking I was hallucinating. 

It wasn’t until Ethan practically rushed over to me, looking at me with expectant eyes, that I realized he’d actually come for me. 

Seeing his familiar white suit and the roses he was holding brought a flood of old memories, and I lost myself for a second. 

But that daze lasted only a brief moment, quickly fading, leaving nothing but icy calm in my eyes. 

“Congrats, that was an amazing performance.” 

Ethan suppressed the unease in his chest, forcing his voice to sound steady. 

He took a step forward, roses in hand, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over Noah, who stood beside me. 

“Ella, who’s this?” he asked, faking an easygoing tone. 

Noah picked up on the guy’s hostile and possessive gaze in a flash. 

He didn’t flinch, just gave a slight nod, keeping a respectful distance, letting me take the lead completely. 

“Noah, my friend.” 

My voice was flat, no hint of wanting to introduce them. 

“Mr. Wilson, long time no see. If there’s nothing else, please leave now.” 

Ethan flinched. My icy stare and that “Mr. Wilson” jabbed at his heart, making his composure crack. 

He totally ignored the cold formality, quickly trying to smooth things over, his voice almost pleading: 

“Ella, you’ve been away for so long. I really missed you. When are you coming back? Or, if you don’t want to, that’s fine too. I’ll stay here with you, for as long as you want!” 

He took a step closer, reaching for my wrist, but I pulled back instantly, dodging him. 

‘Mr. Wilson, we’re already divorced.” I stated the facts, my voice flat. 

“I even mailed you the Divorce Decree. We have absolutely no connection now.” 

“No! Ella, I never wanted to divorce you!” Ethan’s emotions flared, his voice rising. 

“That Divorce Decree means nothing! You’ll always be my wife!” 

Ethan’s words struck me as ridiculous. A sarcastic smirk curved my lips. 

“Mr. Wilson, you signed the Divorce Agreement yourself. Our marriage is legally over.” 

“Ella, I had no idea that was a Divorce Agreement! I didn’t know what I was signing! If I’d known, I would’ve died before I signed it! I’m taking you back right now, we can remarry immediately!” 

Ethan said, trying to forcibly take me away. Noah, who had been silent, immediately stepped forward, blocking me, his eyes cold as he stared at Ethan. 

14.6% 

< 18 

“Mr. Wilson, Ella’s made it crystal clear. She doesn’t wanna see you. Respect her wishes.” 

Ethan totally blew up at Noah’s words, roaring, 

“Who the hell are you to meddle in my business with Ella? Get lost!” 

“Enough, Ethan!” I snapped, cutting him off, pure disgust in my eyes. 

Menu 

“Ethan, I don’t know why you’ve abandoned your kid and Sophia to come here and act like a psycho,” my voice was ice–cold and steady. 

“I honestly hoped we could just end things, go our separate ways. At least then we’d have a tiny bit of good memories left from what we had, a last shred of decency. But no, you just had to come here and make a scene.” 

“You want me back?” My eyes on Ethan were like he was a total stranger. 

“Back for what? To keep being an eyesore for your perfect little family of four? To watch you all happy and cozy? To get framed and hurt by you guys again and again?” 

Ethan immediately jumped in, denying everything. 

“I never slept with Sophia. Liam isn’t even my kid, it was all Sophia’s setup. I swear, I never touched her. And that IVF baby, I already took care of it. Ella, please, come back to me. I promise! No one will ever bother us again! We’ll start fresh, just like before.” 

When he said Liam wasn’t his kid, my calm expression finally flickered with a hint of surprise. 

That kid, the one who changed everything, who destroyed my marriage, wasn’t even Ethan’s biological child? 

The truth, delivered so late, felt incredibly ironic. 

My surprise registered in Ethan’s eyes, but he clearly mistook it for a sign of wavering. A flicker of hope crossed his face, and he started to speak again. 

“Enough, Ethan!” I cut him off, a wave of annoyance in my voice. 

“You know damn well if that kid with Sophia was IVF or not!” 

“And frankly, whether Liam is your kid or not, it doesn’t even matter.” My eyes locked on him, sharp as a blade, slicing through the raw 

truth: 

“What matters is that our relationship was over the moment you broke your promises to me, again and again, choosing to hurt me every single time!” 

“No! Ella, just listen to me…” Ethan desperately tried to step closer. 

“Don’t say another word.” I took a step back, widening the gap between us completely. 

My gaze swept over his pale face, finally landing on the roses in his arms. My voice was flat, devoid of any emotion: 

“I don’t need these flowers. You should give them to someone who does. Noah, let’s go.” 

I didn’t spare Ethan another glance, turning to leave with Noah. 

Noah shot a deep, complex look at Ethan, who was frozen in place. 

This was the guy who hurt me? And he still thought he could get my forgiveness? Hilarious. 

Ethan stood frozen, watching them walk away, still clutching the bouquet of roses he’d never get to give me. 

His hope shattered. Seeing me leave without a second glance, seeing the way that guy protected me, a crushing despair swallowed him 

18:10 

14.6% 

< 18 

whole. 

“Ella…” He stared down at the roses, his eyes hollow. 

No. Ella, I’m not letting you go. I’ll get you back, no matter what it takes, no matter the cost. 

Ethan looked up, a desperate, wild glint in his eyes.