Chapter 38: Memories Lost in Time
Chapter 38: Memories Lost in Time
(Olivia’s POV)
I froze mid–step, my heart seizing in my chest. Had I heard him correctly?
“Where’s Lily?” Ethan repeated, his tone casual as if asking about the weather. “I’ll go pick her up so she can
have dinner with Grandmother.”
My lungs refused to work. The hallway seemed to tilt beneath my feet. How could he mention our daughter so casually? As if she were still alive? As if he hadn’t missed her funeral?
“Olivia Winters, stop acting crazy,” Ethan warned, his amber eyes narrowing at my silence.
I could read the message in his gaze. He didn’t want me to bring up Lily’s death again. He still refused to
believe she was gone.
My eyes darkened with fury. I hadn’t planned to say anything about her death. My concern was for Matriarch Evelyn. She had loved Lily fiercely, had been the only one besides me to visit her regularly during her illness. Could the elderly woman bear the news of her death? Would it break her already fragile health?
I opened my mouth to respond when Matriarch Evelyn’s voice came from the staircase
“What are you talking about? Picking someone up for dinner with me?”
Panic seized me. I turned to face her, forcing a smile as I approached.
“Grandmother, there’s no…” I tried to change the subject, but Ethan cut me off.
“Lily,” he said, looking at me pointedly.
I glared at him before turning back to Matriarch Evelyn, my mind racing for what to say.
“Grandmother, Lily, she’s…” I began hesitantly.
“Who’s Lily?” Matriarch Evelyn frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion,
I stopped, stunned into silence. The question hit me like a physical blow. How could she not remember Lily? Her own great–granddaughter?
Ethan’s expression shifted from annoyance to concern. He pulled out his phone and quickly typed a message.
“I’ve texted Dr. Bennett to come over,” he murmured, his voice suddenly serious
“Liv why aren’t you.
Matriarch Evelyn patted my hand gently, concern in her aged eyes.
I squeezed her hand back, fighting to keep my tears at bay.
“Lily is someone very important to me,” I said softly, unable to bring myself to explain further.
“Important? Then Grandmother must meet her,” she said decisively. “Ethan, go pick her up.”
My throat tightened. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t explain that Lily was gone, that she’d never again run through these halls or sit at the dinner table
“Grandmother, Lily isn’t available today,” I managed. “I’ll take you to see her later”
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The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but I couldn’t bear to see the pain that would fill her eyes when she
learned the truth.
“Alright,” she conceded, “but when she’s free, you must bring her home. Grandmother likes anyone who’s good
to our Liv.”
Only her. Only my grandmother–in–law had truly cared for Lily in this family. I blinked rapidly, fighting back
tears.
“Okay,” I whispered.
Dr. Harold Bennett arrived quickly at the Stone Estate, his medical bag in hand. Despite his age, he moved with the efficiency of someone half his years.
“She seems confused about certain people,” I explained quietly as I led him toward Matriarch Evelyn’s room. “She doesn’t remember… important family members.”
The doctor nodded gravely, his experienced eyes showing he understood my concern.
With some gentle persuasion, I convinced Matriarch Evelyn to have a check–up. She agreed primarily to ease my worry, patting my cheek affectionately before disappearing into the examination room with Dr. Bennett. Thirty long minutes later, the door opened. Dr. Bennett emerged, his expression troubled.
“How is Grandmother? Ethan and I asked simultaneously, our mutual concern temporarily bridging the gulf
between us.
“She’ll be fine if she avoids any shocks and takes care of herself. Dr. Bennett began, his voice measured.
“But what?” I pressed, anxiety clawing at my chest
“She has memory loss,” he explained. “Her memories stop after that night five years ago. The last five years
are blank”
Five years ago. Before Lily fell ill. Before everything fell apart
Relief washed over me, followed immediately by guilt. How could I be relieved that Matriarch Evelyn couldn’t remember her own great–granddaughter?
I felt Ethan’s gaze on me and looked up to find him watching me intently. His brow furrowed as he seemed to read my thoughts
“How long do you intend to hide Lily’s death?” his eyes seemed to ask
if you glare at Liv again, I’ll gouge your eyes out,” Matriarch Evelyn scolded, emerging from her room.
She approached Ethan and delivered a sharp slap to his back, right where his wounds from the whipping were still healing
“Ouch!” Ethan winced, his face contorting in pain.
“Serves you right!” Matriarch Evelyn declared, but I noticed the concern that flashed in her eyes
She had forgotten her own punishment of him earlier. The doctor’s diagnosis was confirmed in that small
moment
Later that evening, I prepared a special meal for Matriarch Evelyn. Herb–roasted venison with berry sauce –
her favorite. I carefully measured the healing herbs that would strengthen her without interfering with her
medication
“This is delicious, Liv, she praised, happily accepting a second half bowl. “No one cooks like you.”
Her words warmed my heart. After dinner, she insisted on a stroll through the garden, claiming the evening air would help her digestion.
We had barely made it halfway across the lawn when the sky opened up. Rain poured down without warning.
drenching us instantly.
Without hesitation, I removed my coat and held it over Matriarch Evelyn’s head, shielding her from the
downpour.
“Liv, you’ll catch cold!” she protested, trying to share the makeshift shelter.
“I’m fine,” I assured her, though the rain had already soaked through my clothes.
By the time servants arrived with umbrellas, I was drenched to the skin, my hair plastered to my face and
neck.
“Liv, go take a hot shower so you don’t catch a cold,” Matriarch Evelyn urged as we entered the house “With your weak constitution, you can’t afford to get sick.”
She was right. I had my first day at Canis Enterprises on Monday, and my immune system was already weakened from stress and grief.
“Okay,” I agreed, heading toward Ethan’s wing of the Stone Estate.
I felt Matriarch Evelyn’s eyes on my back as I walked away, but I didn’t turn around to see the knowing smile that played on her lips.
Ethan had gone to his study for a video conference with business partners. According to Bernard, it would last at least two hours. He wouldn’t be back anytime soon.
Still, I locked the bedroom door behind me, cautious in what felt like enemy territory.
I quickly undressed, placing my wet clothes in the dryer. Though I had lived with Ethan for five years at Imperial Gardens, I had never stayed overnight in his room since Lily fell ill
The bathroom filled with steam as I turned the shower to its hottest setting. I stepped under the spray, letting the warm water wash away the chill and soothe the welts on my back from the recent punishment.
The sound of the water masked the noise from outside, and I didn’t hear the doorknob turning.
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