Page 187 of When Hearts Remember

Belle opens her mouth, but Millie grabs her wrist and shakes her head. Olivia stands and pats me on my back. “We’ll be outside if you need us.”

The girls leave the room.

“Is everything okay, Lexy?” Taylor asks, sitting on the edge of my bed.

I take her in—my best friend—how she sits straight, her shoulders back and eyes fierce.

The strength in them. Despite the darkness she went through.

Taking a deep breath, I push out the next words. “I remember what happened, Tay.” I swallow. “What happened to you.”

She intakes a sharp inhale, her hand flying to her lips. Her throat ripples as she clearly tries to compose herself, but a wet sheen appears in her eyes. “You do?”

I nod. “Uncle Ian violated you, didn’t he? Because of The Association?”

Her lips tremble as she looks away, the tears pooling in her eyes. She nods.

I crumble and sob. “I’m sorry I couldn’t save you that night. I was too late. I tried to get evidence to put him away, but they got to me. They got to me before I could get you justice. I’m so sorry I wasn’t here with you.”

“You’re silly!” Taylor throws herself at me, her voice thick. I feel wetness on my shoulders and I know she’s crying, just like I am. “You tried. And maybe you don’t remember…but you stashed a copy of your video at the ballet academy. That was how we put him away. It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t my fault.”

“He’s not dead, is he? That’s why no one talks about him.”

“He’s rotting in jail.”

“I…I don’t understand how he could do this. Tay Tay, I’m so sor—”

“You can’t stop greed, Lexy. Ian wanted power only The Association could give, but joining the organization had a price. A crime of their choosing. He had a choice, and he chose to be a violent criminal. You and I are victims of shitty circumstances, but guess what?”

She pulls back, and despite the tears streaking down her face, a fierce glint shines from her eyes. “We’re fighters. You and me. Badasses. Our pasts can’t take us down.”

Warmth rushes through me, a lump thick in my throat. I nod, in awe of her strength, her resilience.

“Focus on yourself, okay? I’ve worked through it. I see a therapist. Don’t you dare feel guilty because none of this is your fault.”

Nodding, I swipe away my tears. My memories aren’t all back yet, and I’m sure someday I can piece together all the missing pieces, but something significant finally slides into place.

After a few moments of silence, she asks, “So, what are you going to do about Ethan?”

I stare out the window.

“I’ll give us both time to process everything, then we need to have a chat.”

Chapter 57

“You’re holding on remarkablywell, Ethan. You should be proud of yourself.” Sheila Moore, LMFT, the therapist Olivia recommended to me, smiles, and sets down her notebook.

“It doesn’t feel that way.”

“Has anyone ever said you’re too hard on yourself?”

I snort. “Too many times.”

“I thought so.” She sits back in her leather chair and perches her reading glasses on top of her brown hair. “What do you want? If you never experienced these events, what would you want to do?”

My breath hitches. It’s a no-brainer. “Be with Lexy. Love her. Grow old with her. Do her bucket list with her. Add more items to her list.”

The images spin in my mind—a beautiful slideshow tugging at my heart.

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