Page 149 of When Hearts Remember

The door clicks shut behind me.

It’s dark and quiet, except for the crackle of the fireplace.

The distinct scent of weathered pages and worn leather fills the air.

Moonlight streams in from the wall of windows ahead, casting a silvery glow over the endless rows of overflowing bookshelves. A small seating area rests atop a dark rug.

For a moment, I don’t see him—my gaze fixed on the intimate room, half-veiled in shadows.

But then, Ifeelhim.

A quiet presence. Unyielding. Impossible to ignore.

Ethan stands in the corner, looking out the windows at the dark waters outside. He has one hand braced on the glass, his forehead knocking softly against the pane, like he’s trying to wake himself up. His muscles bunch, straining against the confines of his tuxedo.

He looks so lonely. Haunted. Worn down by pain.

A lump swells in my throat and my nose burns. The spot on my chest aches. With a shaky hand, I take out my phone and swipe it open. I pull up Polaris’s email and type a reply.

To:[email protected]

From:[email protected]

Subject: RE: RE: Do you ever want to meet?

I don’t accept that answer.

And I know who you are…Ethan.

I hit send and hold my breath.

A second later, his phone pings.

He takes it out and looks at the screen. A sharp inhale. He straightens to his full height.

It’s him. Polaris is Ethan.

I should be angry. Furious at this breach of trust. But…I can’t.

I can’t bring myself to be mad at him. If anything,everythingsuddenly makes sense—why both men evoke such powerful reactions in me.

They are the same person all along.

Ethan has been with me every step of the way, even when I was cold with him after I woke up. The deep connection between us transcends the time we’ve spent together this past year. And when I’m in his arms—I feel safe, treasured.

Loved.

“I have faith in you… I’ll protect you with my life.”

His words at the swimming pool echo through me.

And before I can stop myself, a gasp tumbles from my lips.

Ethan’s head snaps toward me, his eyes wide with shock.

“Nova,” he rasps.

I stumble toward him, my right leg not quite working. My vision blurs from tears—grief I don’t understand but somehow know intimately in my heart.

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