Chapter 21
Security guards rushed over, watching Ryan warily to prevent any more violence.
But Ryan didn’t move. He’d just escaped three years of hell without her, only to enter another nightmare.
“Thea, you just forgot our past. Once you remember, everything will be fine.”
This was his last lifeline. And he continued:
“You’ll remember. I’m the one you love.”
Thea glanced at him once, then pulled Marcus away.
After they’d walked a considerable distance, she stopped.
“What he said was true, wasn’t it?”
Marcus smiled. “Let me take you somewhere.”
Thea followed him to the cemetery.
But this time, Marcus showed her the grave next to her mother’s. The name on the headstone was hers.
The memories sealed away for three years tore open like a dam bursting.
Ryan’s promises flooded back:
“Thea, I’m gonna make it big. You won’t have to suffer like this much longer.”
“Marry me?”
“Thea, I love you. I’ll never let you regret choosing me.”
And then…
“Lyra’s my whole world. So why won’t you just stay the hell out of it?”
“Hope that hurt. Maybe you’ll think twice next time.”
The memories returned piece by piece. Seven years later, she remembered everything.
Thea looked at her mother’s grave beside hers, tears streaming down her face. After a long moment, she regained some composure.
“Why?” She asked in a low voice.
Marcus knew what she was asking.
Running into Ryan when she came back was inevitable.
Recovering her memories was just a matter of time.
He could have found ways to keep her overseas.
Why hadn’t he stopped her from coming back?
“Thea, I love you.”
Marcus was focused and serious. “I fought for three years for myself. I admit to all my underhanded tactics. Even if you hate me for it, I don’t regret it.”
Thea’s heart fluttered.
Marcus had been so good to her-good to the point where she was always his first priority.
19.0%
Chapter 21
He had no troublesome friends, and his family was kind to her because everyone knew she was the person Marcus treasured most.
He’d even put all his assets in her name. He never carried more than two thousand in spending money-which she gave him and he spent most of it buying her treats.
“What about now?”
Marcus smiled softly. “Those seven years are part of your life. I won’t deny that past. You have the right to know and the right to choose. But I hope that even after remembering everything, you’ll still choose me.”
Thea’s heart raced, though her mind was still confused.
“I need some time alone.”
Marcus nodded and walked away.
Thea returned to her mother’s grave,
“Mom, do you think I should…”
She suddenly stopped and laughed softly.
Why was she even asking what she should do?
The only choice she could imagine was Marcus.
Her past with Ryan-even those six years without Lyra-had only made her into the most suitable Mrs. Mitchell.
But Marcus had helped her become the best version of herself.
Besides, she knew her feelings for Ryan had stayed buried in the past. The only one who could move her now was Marcus.
“Mom, Marcus is wonderful, isn’t he?”
A gentle breeze brushed her cheek, like her mother’s tender response.
Thea stayed another half hour before heading out. At the cemetery entrance, she saw Marcus waiting.
Marcus looked unusually flustered. “I was worried about you going home alone.”
Warmth rippled through her heart as she walked over, looking at the swelling on his face.
“Does it still hurt?”
“Not really…” He paused, giving her pitiful puppy eyes. “Actually, it hurts a little.”
Thea couldn’t help but smile as she took his hand. “Let’s go home.”
A grin spread across Marcus’s face as he laced their fingers together. “Yeah, let’s go home.”
