Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 48

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As Carice reapplied her lipstick and was about to leave the restroom, she suddenly froze at the corner of the hallway. 

Not far away, Rufus had Annalise pinned against the wall in a deep kiss. 

The man’s slender fingers threaded through her hair, his other hand gripping her waist tightly, as if trying to meld her into his very bones. Annalise tilted her head back, her fair neck arching into a graceful curve. 

After what felt like an eternity, Rufus finally released her, his thumb gently brushing her slightly swollen lips as he murmured in a deep 

voice, “Satisfied?” 

Annalise nestled against his chest, her voice soft and sweet, “Rufus, don’t you think I’m being too much? I already got your heirloom, and now I’m asking for a kiss… If my Carice sees this, she’ll be upset.” 

“I’m just in so much pain. If that accident hadn’t happened back then, we should’ve been together…” 

Rufus’s gaze remained calm as he pulled her closer, “Her feelings are none of my concern.” 

“II never liked her, and I never will.” 

“I’ve always loved you, Annalise.” 

With that, he lowered his head and kissed her again. 

Carice stood rooted to the spot, her heart clenched by an invisible hand, the pain so intense she could barely breathe. 

She pressed a hand to her chest and thought, ‘This must be the lingering warmth from loving him in the past.‘ 

Once this last warmth fades, nothing will remain. 

Rufus and Annalise kissed for a full three minutes before finally turning to leave. 

Only after their figures had completely vanished did Carice step out from the shadows. 

She took a deep breath, straightened her skirt, and prepared to return to the banquet hall to get her bag and leave. 

But as soon as she entered the hall, Annalise rushed over and grabbed her wrist:“Carice, if you like the ring Rufus gave me, I can give it to you. Why did you have to steal it?” 

Carice froze:“What stealing? What are you talking about?” 

“Stop pretending!” Annalise’s eyes were red, “I just went to the restroom, and the ring was gone! The waiter said only you went near my 

purse!” 

Mr. and Mrs. Thwaites heard the commotion and came over, slapping Carice without hesitation:“Carice, you’re always causing 

trouble!” 

Carice’s cheek burned with pain, and before she could react, Mrs. Thwaites shrieked, “Search her!” 

Several waiters immediately surrounded her, roughly tugging at her dress. 

Carice struggled desperately:“I didn’t steal it! Let me go!” 

“Rip–” 

The sound of fabric tearing echoed, and Carice’s shoulder was exposed to the air, instantly drawing gasps and snickers from the crowd. 

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“Found it!” A waiter pulled the jadeite ring from her purse, “It’s here! In her purse!” 

Annalise took the ring, tears streaming down her face:“Carice, what do you have to say for yourself now?” 

Carice trembled all over, about to speak, when suddenly, the crowd parted on its own– 

A steady sound of footsteps approached from afar. She looked up to see Rufus walking step by step, his polished leather shoes clicking against the marble floor, each step as if stepping on Carice‘ heart. 

“Why steal it?” His voice was soft, yet it instantly silenced the entire banquet hall, “I never considered you my wife. Didn’t you know?” 

Carice looked up, meeting his icy gaze. 

“Carice, some things don’t belong to you,” his thin lips parted, each word like a poisoned blade, “never will.” 

Carice suddenly smiled. 

That smile made Rufus’s brows furrow almost imperceptibly. 

He had seen her cry, seen her throw tantrums, seen her hysterical, but never had he seen her smile like this–as if liberated, or mocking. 

“I didn’t steal it.” 

Her voice was soft, yet every word was clear. The chandelier in the banquet hall cast fragmented light in her eyes, like tears, or stars. 

“And-” 

She took a deep breath and spoke word by word: 

“I don’t like you anymore!” 

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