Guiding Light to Rebirth Chapter 12

Guiding Light to Rebirth Chapter 12

“You have the nerve to show up here!” Cole snapped.

I caught the coldness in his eyes and quickly grabbed his fingers. I looked up with a pleading smile. “You got the car out? Let’s go.”

I tugged Cole toward the exit. Looking back, I said to Ethan, “I’m not mad at you. I don’t need your apology either. Just be good to Hanna. That’s the best way to pay me back.”

I meant it from the heart.

In my past life, after our marriage, I got diagnosed with ALS. Ethan stayed by my side and cared for me.

Even if it started as a duty, he truly stuck with me for life. Many choices I made this time were to repay that debt.

I didn’t resent him because that was my choice.

I was content with my life now, and I didn’t want disruptions.

…

On my wedding day to Cole, I got gifts from Ethan’s parents and my friends.

There was also a massive asset transfer. It was all of Ethan’s shares in the Hayes Group.

Along with the contract came a pair of wooden dolls sitting on a wisteria swing.

Jealous, Cole tossed them, but I didn’t mind.

Under the priest’s guidance, in my white wedding gown, I gazed steadily into Cole’s eyes.

“In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I solemnly vow to take you as my husband. From this day forward, for better or worse, in riches or poverty, in sickness or health, to love and cherish you until death.”

As the words ended, one person’s eyes in the audience dimmed.

In countless days of silently watching over me, Ethan had asked himself more than once, “Should I just take her and force her to stay? She might hate and despise me. But at least she’d be mine.”

When he saw me smiling so brightly at Cole, his possessiveness surged like a tidal wave.

But whenever he recalled my helpless look during an episode, he would tremble and set down his phone, the message already typed.

He knew better than anyone that I hated anyone seeing my vulnerable side. Yet I never pushed Cole away. I’d just burrow into his arms for comfort.

With Cole, I was hopeful, happy, relaxed, free, and sunny.

He couldn’t rob me of that joy.

He recalled the start of his feelings for me. He just wanted me to smile that sweetly forever.

I didn’t love him anymore, and he couldn’t give me the happiness I desired. At least he shouldn’t destroy what I had.

“Let it be.” He’d told himself that countless times.

He decided to watch me step into my happy ending. Then he’d bow out gracefully.

But on the wedding day, he finally felt the gut-wrenching unwillingness.

If he hadn’t lost his memory, I would’ve been his wife. If he had broken free of Hanna’s manipulations during amnesia, maybe I’d have waited a bit longer.

In the end, he had only himself to blame.

He clenched the wooden dolls Cole had discarded. Finally, like a deserter, he bolted from the wedding venue.