Hearts Remember What Minds Try To Forget by Rex Wilder 6

6 

I gazed at Lucas, a frigid, hollow ache settling deep within me. At this moment, all that remained for him was a bitter cocktail of disappointment and crushing regret. 

I cursed myself for ever marrying him, for ever falling for his honeyed lies and empty promises. 

He had sworn, hadn’t he, that I was the only one he would ever love? 

But his love, it seemed, had withered and died after a mere four fleeting years. 

A sharp pang of agony forced my eyes shut. My body convulsed, trembling violently from the brutal cold, leaving me utterly incapable of a single response to Lucas. 

Sensing my frailty, Lucas’s hand settled gently on my shoulder. His gaze dropped, and without another word, he swept my weak body into his arms, carrying me out with long, purposeful strides. “I’ll take that as a yes,” he rumbled. “The party starts soon. Chloe will be disappointed if we’re late.” 

His words were a blade, twisting deep into my chest. 

I had just lost my brother, spent a night locked in a freezing cold room, numb and dazed, yet Lucas’s only concern was whether Chloe would be upset! 

My brother’s body was barely cold, and how could Lucas possibly be celebrating some birthday party with Chloe while I was in such 

agonizing pain? 

I clenched my jaw in impotent fury, my teeth grinding together so hard they scraped audibly. 

But I was utterly powerless to resist. By the time Lucas carried me into the mansion, the grand hall was already bustling with a glittering crowd of socialites and dignitaries. 

Every single one of them had been invited to celebrate Chloe’s birthday. 

Chloe glided down the grand staircase, dressed in a haute couture gown. Her fair skin glistened under the crystal chandeliers. 

A wave of awe swept through the room, followed by hushed murmurs of praise. 

“The Vance heiress is an absolute stunner, isn’t she? No wonder the incredibly wealthy Mr. Thorne still carries a torch for her after all these years!” 

“If the Vance family hadn’t faced that unfortunate downfall back then, Mr. Thorne would have married Chloe ages ago. But the Thorne Dynasty doesn’t tolerate scandals, and for all his love, Mr. Thorne couldn’t defy their strict code with a physical indiscretion.” 

“Honestly, if you ask me, the one who isn’t loved should just know when to quit. Mrs. Thorne really ought to make way.” 

The mocking, sarcastic whispers made my head throb, a furious buzz echoing in my ears. My jaw clenched, battling the surge of anger, as I forced my heavy feet forward, slowly making my way into the grand hall. 

Chloe spotted me and a bright smile bloomed on her face as she came forward. “Anna,” she purred, “I specifically asked Zhuo Ting to pick you up.” 

My gaze locked onto the triumphant smirk on Chloe’s face. I knew she was doing it to deliberately provoke me. 

“Lucas.” Chloe turned to Lucas, her voice dripping with syrupy sweetness. “Anna already sent me a birthday gift, actually. I was just waiting for you all to get here so I could unveil it.” 

18:03 

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My brow furrowed in confusion. 

A gift? 

When in the hell did I send Chloe a birthday gift? This was absolutely impossible! 

But Chloe had already given the maids a subtle nod, a silent command for them to present the gift. 

Menu 

The maids, responding to her cue, stepped onto the elevated platform. With practiced grace, they drew back the heavy velvet curtain, revealing a massive screen. Instantly, a video flickered to life on the crystal–clear display. 

My eyes, along with everyone else’s, were fixed on the screen. It wasn’t long before a strange, unsettling sound began to fill the ballroom. 

Then, Anna filled the screen, bare–chested, his body a looming shadow over Chloe. He had her pinned to a bed, his hands clamped, tightly, around her throat, choking the life from her. 

Chloe’s clothes hung in ragged strips, barely clinging to her body. She whimpered, her desperate pleas for mercy choking in her throat, but Anna’s gaze was as cold as stone, and without a word, he pried her legs apart. 

“Don’t! Please, no! Let me go!” Chloe’s frantic pleas tore at my eardrums, each one a fresh stab of pain. My gaze was locked on the screen, disbelief a cold knot in my gut. This… This was the whole terrifying ordeal. My brother. Attempting to rape Chloe. 

Then, Chloe’s scream erupted from behind me. 

“Anna Reed!” she cried out, her voice raw with agony. “How could you give me such a horrific birthday present?!” 

< 7 

Me