Chapter 7
“Simon, love isn’t endless. I truly don’t love you anymore.”
“Sign the divorce papers.”
With those words, I turned and walked back to my room, but a heavy ache pressed against my chest, making it hard to breathe.
I didn’t love Simon anymore.
But the wounds he’d left were impossible to forget.
Simon lunged forward like a madman, but Leonard caught him by the arm and pinned him back with practiced strength.
“Simon, if you even think about barging in there, I’ll make sure your entire family pays the price,” Leonard threatened coldly, his voice low and filled with menace.
These days, the Harrisons were the most powerful family in Southvale–several rungs above the Sterlings. No matter how wealthy or influential Simon’s family was, they couldn’t compare to that kind of old–money prestige. Maybe that’s why Simon had always seen Leonard as his worst enemy.
“If you refuse to sign the divorce papers, I’ll make sure she’s never yours, one way or another,” Leonard hissed, his face inches from Simon’s, every word a threat.
I don’t know how Simon left that night. All I know is that, eventually, silence settled over the house again.
Later, Leonard sat beside me, the two of us watching the stars through the open window.
I glanced at his profile–familiar in a way I couldn’t explain–and the question slipped out before I could stop myself.
‘Leonard, did we meet as kids?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “You remember?”
shook my head. “No, it’s just a feeling.”
He looked disappointed, bowing his head for a moment before telling me about the summers he’d spent with me in the countryside before he turned ten. He described afternoons running hrough fields, long days under the sun, laughter I couldn’t recall.
To my shock, I had no memory of any of it.
‘It’s alright,” he said softly. “We have plenty of time now to make new memories.”
looked at Leonard, and again that strange heaviness pressed against my chest.
‘Leonard, I heard there’s a procedure that can erase painful memories. Could you take me to do
t?”
Chapter
“I want to start fresh–with you. Build something new, slowly.”
Two weeks later, Leonard and I celebrated our engagement.
It was a grand affair, with guests from all over the city–business leaders, politicians, the elite. Leonard never let go of my hand, introducing me to everyone with calm pride.
“I saw this dress in Milan once,” a woman gushed. “There’s only one in the world, and Mr. Harrison managed to get it for you!”
Leonard laughed, his arm around my shoulders. “Sorry–I got there first. Next time, I’ll give you a head start.”
“Viola!”
A sharp voice cut through the crowd, shattering the pleasant atmosphere.
I turned to see a man striding toward us, his expression furious and desperate. He called my name, but I didn’t recognize him. Instinctively, I tightened my grip on Leonard’s arm.
“Viola, you’re still my wife! How could you get engaged to someone else?”
“Simon! Watch yourself,” Leonard shot back, stepping firmly between us, blocking Simon’s line of sight.
Peering around Leonard’s shoulder, I saw Simon’s usually handsome face twisted in anger, his features harsh and unfamiliar. The look in his eyes made me uneasy.
“Watch myself? Leonard, she’s my wife!”
Leonard gave a cold laugh and gestured toward the screen behind us, where my new name shone for all to see.
“Open your eyes, Simon. Her name’s not Viola. It’s Viola Sutton.”
Only then did Simon notice every sign at the party bore that name, not the one he’d called out. Leonard pulled out my ID to prove it.
Simon’s face fell as he realized Leonard had changed my entire identity.
“Vivi!”
He reached for me, but I instinctively flinched away.
“I don’t know you,” I said softly.
His hand froze mid–air. The pain and disbelief in his eyes were almost tangible.
“It’s me, Simon. We spent over ten years together–how can you not remember?”
“Did Leonard do something to you?”
I shook my head again, fear rising inside me.
“I get it. You’re still mad at me, aren’t you?” he pleaded.
2/3
15:02
Chapter 7
He fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a small box, opening it to reveal a sticky, grayish lump. “Look–I kept your mother’s ashes for you.”
Horrified, I shrank into Leonard’s embrace as Simon grew more frantic, yelling and shoving at the guests until Leonard’s security forcibly removed him.
Even as he was dragged out, he kept calling my name–Vivian, a name that sounded almost like Viola.
I didn’t ask about it. Something deep inside told me I shouldn’t.
3/3
