Moonlit Mountain (Caleb and Sarah)

(The Remains of Summer) Chapter 20

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Liam didn't elaborate. He just held her close, assuring her that he wouldn't

let Ethan find her.

Amelia closed her eyes. She'd said everything she needed to say to Ethan on the day she "died."

She didn't want to see him, didn't want to hear his explanations. His betrayal needed no explanation.

They sat together in silence, finding comfort in each other's presence. Meanwhile, chaos reigned at the hospital. Ethan, ignoring his broken leg, fought to break free from the restraints, desperate to fly to New Zealand. Since Amelia's "death," he hadn't accepted her loss. Even after seeing her body, scattering her ashes, he'd clung to the belief that she was still alive. He'd drowned his grief in alcohol, creating a fantasy world with a look-alike, telling himself stories to ease the pain.

Then Jessica had sent the video. Seeing Amelia, alive and well, had reawakened his heart, shattering his carefully constructed illusion.

He didn't know how she'd faked her death, how she'd ended up in New Zealand.

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All that mattered was that she was alive.

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Joy surged through him. He struggled against the restraints, his broken leg

forgotten. He had to find her, tell her he still loved her, that he'd never stopped

loving her! He had to propose again!

But the security guards held him fast.

Ian Carter strode down the hallway. The guards stepped aside as he

approached.

lan punched Ethan in the face. "When will you stop this madness?"

"Jessica told you Amelia was alive to help you move on, not to give you an

excuse to harass her! Look at what you've done! Do you really think she wants to see you? Do you think she'll forgive you?"

"If she wanted your forgiveness, she would have told you! She wouldn't have

faked her own death and disappeared!"

"You have no shame!"

lan rained blows on Ethan, his voice filled with disgust. Disgust at Ethan's

betrayal, and at his self-destructive behavior that had nearly brought Carter Corp to its knees.

Weak and still recovering, Ethan offered no resistance, curling up on the 12:27

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floor as lan's fists connected. Blood trickled from his lip.

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lan turned and walked away, leaving Ethan alone, bruised and broken.

The room was silent except for Ethan's pained whimpers. "Amelia..."

Tears blurred his vision. He remembered the time he'd been in a car accident.

Amelia had stayed by his side for three days and nights, refusing to leave until he woke up. Everyone had told him how lucky he was, how he should cherish her. And he'd thrown it all away.

His affair with Chloe had started as a fling, a momentary lapse in judgment. Chloe's uninhibited passion had been a stark contrast to Amelia's gentle affection, and he'd become addicted.

He'd planned to keep seeing Chloe, unable to resist her. When she'd gotten

pregnant, he hadn't had the heart to make her get an abortion. He'd even planned

to continue the affair after his marriage, concocting elaborate lies to deceive Amelia.

But Amelia wasn't a fool, and Chloe wasn't content to remain hidden.

His plans had imploded.

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Amelia had chosen death over him. Chloe had been willing to risk

everything to be with him.

And now, one was gone, and the other only wanted his money.

No one would ever love him the way Amelia had.

He covered his face with his hands, sobbing silently. Menu

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