BOOK4 Chapter1
Ethan Harris pursued me for two years and cherished me for five.
Five years ago, the news of his death in the line of duty shattered me.
But today, five years later, I received a call from Detective John Parker.
He told me that not only is Ethan alive, but he’s also living well–though…
He’s about to get married.
As I embarked on the journey to that distant coastal town, Detective Parker and
the
other officers tried to talk me out of it.
Accepting reality was one thing, but letting go was something I couldn’t manage.
I gently ran my fingers over the simple ring in my hand, the ring Ethan Harris had
once proposed to me with.
He was my fiancé–how could he just marry someone else?
After the plane ride, the five–hour, bumpy bus journey left me feeling nauseous
and
barely able to hold it together.
Finally, after a grueling ten–hour trip, the four of us arrived at the small town.
“There it is.”
Spookt Clapiest
Detective Parker pointed to a bed and breakfast named “Ocean Breeze Inn.” This
once unnoticed inn had suddenly gained fame online after a group of tourists.
posted
some photos.
In the photos, the inn’s owner, though only shown from the side, had captivated
countless people.
Detective Parker glanced at me, hesitating before speaking, “He doesn’t remember
anything from the past, so please…”
I stared at the door, my senses humbed as if the world around me had come to a
standstill.
As Detective Parker pushed open the door, a wind chime made of seashells rang
out
melodiously.
Before me was a spacious courtyard, with a pebble–stone path leading to the main
house. A large swing hung in the yard, and a Labrador lounged lazily in the sun
alongside a few cats. I was surprised by the presence of these animals.
Suddenly, a tall, athletic figure emerged from behind a curtain of seashells.
He was wearing a black T–shirt, his arms sculpted and defined, with a side profile
that
was sharp and unmistakable.
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The moment I saw him, my body froze, a chill ran down my spine, and my mind.
went
blank–except for the intense focus on him.
The man before me rendered me completely immobile.
I had encountered people who bore a striking resemblance to Ethan Harris
before,
even with the same small mole beneath their eye, but I could always tell they
weren’t him.
This man, however, was vastly different from the Ethan I remembered–his
features
were more mature, his face more chiseled, with a cold, distant edge to him.
Despite this, I couldn’t help but step closer, drawn in until I saw the small mole
beneath his eye and the thin red string around his neck….
“Ethan…” I struggled to keep my voice steady, softly whispering his name, afraid to
startle him.
He looked up at me, his eyes filled with nothing but confusion and unfamiliarity.
“What did you say?”
“Ethan Harris…” I barely managed to utter his name.
He replied coldly, “I’m sorry, miss, but I think you’ve mistaken me for someone
else.”
But how could I mistake Ethan Harris? He was the most important person in my
life.
Detective Parker quickly stepped in, pulling me back: “Apologies, we’re looking to
book some rooms. Do you have any available?”
Ethan scrutinized us for a moment. “Yes, how many rooms do you need?”
“Two.
“Come in.”
He turned and walked inside, not sparing me another glance. I had foolishly
believed
that the moment he saw me, he would remember everything.
But the look in his eyes was so unfamiliar, almost as if he were repelled by me.
I hadn’t cried when I learned he was alive, nor when I found out he was getting
married.
But when he looked at me with those eyes, it felt as if my heart was being crushed
in
a vice, the pain unbearable, and tears began to fall uncontrollably.
Detective Parker handed our IDs to the man, urging him to hurry with the
check–in
process.
As the man took the IDs, I noticed that his left pinky was missing a piece, and there,
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was a slight limp in his right leg as he walked.
I covered my mouth, trying to hide my shock.
I quickly turned away, not wanting him to see my reaction.
Detective Parker took the room keys and hurried me along to our rooms.
I sat alone in the room for a long time, until I could finally speak again. “How did
he
end up like this?”
During the journey, I had vowed that when I saw him, I would slap him hard–the
traitor who had forgotten the promises we made!
But when I actually saw him, my anger instantly turned to sympathy.
All I wanted to do was hold him tightly…
I stayed alone in the room for so long that Grace, worried about me, forcibly brought
me out.
In the backyard, everyone was gathered around, enjoying a barbecue. I immediately
spotted Ethan Harris, busy with the grill, while Detective Parker stood beside him,
the two of them chatting and laughing.
“Sienna, how are you holding up?” Grace asked with concern.
I nodded.
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“Ethan, this is Sienna.”
I slowly extended my hand, trying to stay composed. “Sienna Bennett, nice to meet
you.”
His warm, strong hand briefly met mine. “Ethan Harris, nice to meet you.”
We greeted each other like strangers meeting for the first time, and in that
moment,
a wave of sadness washed over me, reminding me of the day he proposed, when
he
held me close and said with so much love:
“Hello, Mrs. Harris.”
It was all in the past now.
Looking at him, I had so many questions I wanted to ask, but in the end, I only
managed one:
“This place is beautiful. Are you happy here?”
He skillfully flipped the meat on the grill and casually replied, “Yeah, it’s not bad.”
That’s good to hear.
I held the skewer of mushrooms, staring blankly at the girl in front of me.
She had a radiant smile, as bright as the sun.
My heart sank suddenly, as if struck by a heavy blow, the pain nearly taking my
breath away.
“Hello, everyone, I’m Jessica Morgan, Ethan’s wife. Welcome to Seaside Town.”
Everyone greeted lier one by one.
Jessica was very chatty, complimenting everyone. When she got to me, she said:
“Sienna, you’re so beautiful! So slim, I’m really envious! And your hair is amazing-
unlike mine, I’m about to become a bald bride.”
She suddenly remembered something and turned to the man behind her,
“It must be the way you blow–dry my hair–pay more attention, or I’ll end up as a
bald bride at the wedding next week.”
Ethan ruffled her hair, chuckling softly, “Alright.”
Her clear eyes were filled with anticipation for the wedding, reminding me of the
person I once was.
“A wedding?” Grace asked curiously.
“Yes! Our wedding is next Wednesday, and we hope you all can come!”
I opened another can of beer, and Jessica reached for one too, but it was quickly
snatched from her hand by Ethan, “No drinking.”
Jessica pouted, “Just one sip.” Then, not caring that we were all there, she stole a
quick kiss from him, “Come on, Ethan, just one sip, please!”
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“Drink this instead.”
He handed her a white cup filled with floating rose petals. As soon as the lid was
removed, the fragrance of roses filled the air, and Jessica frowned,
“Rose tea? Ethan! How many times have I told you, I don’t like floral teas. Why
can’t you ever remember?”
“I don’t know… it just feels natural to make it every time.”
Hearing this, I turned away and finished off the last of my beer.
I never liked drinking water. In high school, my voice was severely damaged from
reciting too much, to the point where I could barely speak at times.
Ethan went to great lengths to get me to drink more water, trying everything from
floral teas to fruit teas and oolong tea, rotating them to keep me hydrated.
In the winter, he would make me apple water and pear soup.
Whenever I managed to drink an extra cup, Ethan would flash a deeply satisfied
smile.
Seeing me drink beer, Jessica continued teasing, “Look, Sienna’s had a whole can-
maybe that’s why her hair looks so great!”
“Stop being silly.”
I glanced at the beer in my hand and forced a bitter smile, “My ex–boyfriend
wouldn’t
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let me drink either because I get drunk easily. He was very strict with me.”
Jessica looked at me, “So now that you’re drinking like this, isn’t he going to be
mad?”
I glanced behind her and shook my head, “He stopped caring about me a long time
ago.”
Jessica seemed to realize she had said the wrong thing and gave me an apologetic
look. She didn’t tease anymore and obediently finished the drink from Ethan’s
cup.
I only ate that skewer of mushrooms, but I drank quite a bit, and my head started
to
spin, so I decided to head back early.
As I descended the steps, I heard Jessica’s cheerful laughter.
Turning back, I saw her clinging to Ethan’s back like a sloth, her arms flailing and
her
mouth running nonstop.
Ethan stumbled occasionally from her grip but remained patient, quietly tidying
up
the table, as if he was used to it.
Ethan was never known for his patience–I thought he only had a soft spot for me.
I
thought I was the only one he would ever love…
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Watching Jessica’s face overflow with happiness, I clutched my aching heart, filled.
with an indescribable pain. “That should have been me! I was supposed to be the
one Ethan adored without limits!”
I resisted the urge to tear them apart and forced myself back to the room. I
opened
my bag, dumping everything out onto the floor. Only after swallowing my
medication
did the overwhelming emotions begin to subside.
By the time Grace walked in, I had already regained my composure. “I thought you
were going to cause a scene.”
I stared out the window, “I was planning to, but suddenly, I just couldn’t.”
“I noticed you brought a lot of stuff with you. Are you planning to help Ethan
regain
his memories?”
The suitcase was filled with mementos from our ten years together–his first little
note to me, his first love letter, the gifts he gave me from age 18 to 28, and our first
photo together, along with our first wedding picture.
I shook my head, “I never intended to.”
Grace looked at me in surprise, “Why… why not?”
Thinking about the tragic death of Ethan’s parents, I closed my eyes, trying to
BOOK4 Chapter
steady
my emotions, “I don’t want him to go through the pain of losing his loved ones all
over again.”
