Chapter 293: The Memory He Stole

Words : 1624 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

Chapter 293: The Memory He Stole Easter~ I sat there, staring at Jacob with tears drying stickily on my cheeks, his words echoing in my head like a haunting lullaby. "Okay," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I’ll... I’ll give you a chance to explain yourself." A wave of relief washed over his face, softening his sharp features. His shoulders relaxed a little, though his eyes still swam with shadows. "But," I added firmly, leaning back in my chair, "since you don’t want to tell me anything here... I’ll go back home with you." His eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his handsome face. "There’s no point staying at the hotel anymore," I continued, folding my arms tightly against my chest as if to hold myself together. "You found a way to track me down, so clearly, it’s not as safe as I thought it would be." "Easter, I—" "But," I cut him off sharply, holding his gaze. "Don’t think for a second that I trust you. I have 112 on speed dial and the police will be on your ass before you even realize what’s happening." For a moment, there was silence between us. Then... he chuckled softly, shaking his head, a small smile curling his lips. "I would never hurt you," he said, his voice so gentle it made something deep inside me ache. "You can be rest assured of that." I swallowed hard, my throat tight. His words wrapped around me like warm honey, tempting me to believe him... but I couldn’t afford to. Not now. Not when he was showing signs of being a stalker or worse, a murderer. "Good," I whispered, gripping my handbag strap tightly. "I... I’ll meet you back at your house. Two hours from now. I need to pick Rose up from school... and check out of the hotel." His brows lifted, then he nodded solemnly. "I’ll be waiting," he said softly. Without another word, I pushed back my chair and stood, my legs trembling slightly. Jacob stood too, towering over me with his tall, athletic build. For a second, our eyes locked, and I felt something powerful and electric pass between us, leaving me breathless. We walked out of the coffee shop together, the bell above the door jingling softly behind us. Outside, the sun had shifted lower in the sky, spreading it’s golden beams across the cracked pavement. We stood there awkwardly for a moment before he cleared his throat. "I’ll... see you soon, Easter." I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Then, without another glance, I turned and walked to my car, feeling his gaze burn into my back with every step. The drive to Rose’s school was quiet except for the hum of the engine and the frantic pounding of my heart. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly my palms burned from the pressure. Am I doing the right thing? I wondered, biting my lower lip. Going to his house... letting him explain... am I insane? But... even with fear screaming at me to not be so reckless, my curiosity was louder. Who was he really? How did he know me? I needed to know. The uncertainty was killing me slowly from the inside out. When I arrived at the small preschool, Rose came bursting out of the gates, her curls bouncing wildly around her chubby cheeks. Her little green eyes sparkled with excitement when she saw me. "Mommy!" she squealed, running into my arms. "Hey, baby," I whispered, hugging her tightly, burying my face into her soft hair. "How was school today?" "It was good!" she beamed, pulling back to look at me. "Are we going home now?" I hesitated. "Yeah... yeah, baby, we’re going home." Her eyes lit up like little emerald lanterns. "Yay! I wanna see Daddy Jacob! I miss him so much." My heart lurched painfully in my chest. Daddy Jacob. She always called him that... and every time, it carved another crack in my already confused mind. "Let’s go," I whispered hoarsely, pressing a kiss to her forehead before taking her hand and leading her to the car. Back at the hotel, I packed our things in silence, my mind a whirlpool of chaos. Donut, Jacob’s well behaved fat tabby cat watched me from the windowsill with narrowed blue eyes. "Come on buddy, let’s go. I’m taking you back to your dad." I mumbled softly, scratching his chin. He purred loudly, leaning into my touch. After checking out, I carried Donut in one arm while holding Rose’s little hand in the other. As I drove home, Rose chattered happily about seeing Jacob again, her sweet voice filling the car with innocent joy. "Mommy," she said suddenly, her emerald eyes wide with excitement. "Do you think Daddy Jacob will play tea party with me today? He makes the best wolf voices for Mr Fluffles!" I smiled despite myself, my heart aching with confusion and longing. "We’ll see, baby... we’ll see." When we finally pulled into our driveway, my chest felt so tight I could barely breathe. Across the street, Jacob stood outside his house, leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded casually over his broad chest. His tousled hair gleamed in the evening light, and his warm brown eyes brightened when he saw us. Rose squealed happily. "Daddy Jacob!!" I swallowed hard, parking the car. My legs felt numb as I got out, holding Donut against my hip while taking Rose’s tiny hand. Together, we crossed the street. Jacob straightened as we approached, his smile spreading slowly across his face, softening his strong features into something achingly beautiful. "Welcome home," he murmured, his eyes locked onto mine. I swallowed, my throat painfully dry. "Thank you... for waiting." "Always," he whispered. He pushed the door open and stepped aside, letting us in. As I crossed the threshold into his warm, wood-scented living room, memories rushed at me like a slap – the way his lips moved against mine on that very couch, the way he left me reeling in confusion right after. Heat flared across my cheeks as I turned to look at him, my chest tightening with everything unsaid between us. "I... I’m sorry," I blurted out suddenly. "For... for taking your cat without your permission." He tilted his head slightly, a small, amused smile curling his lips. "Donut?" he chuckled softly. "Easter... he was never mine." I blinked, stunned. "W-what do you mean...?" His eyes softened as he gazed at me with something deep and unreadable. "He was yours. Always been yours." My mouth fell open slightly. I tried to think... to dig through the thick fog in my head, searching for any memory of owning a cat. But... there was nothing. Just... emptiness. Yet... somewhere deep in my chest, a warmth bloomed. He’s right, a quiet voice whispered inside me. Donut was always yours. The name... it fits him perfectly. Rose squealed happily as Donut jumped down from my arm and rubbed against her legs, purring like a motor. "Donut that tickles! Mommy Donut has the softest fur right?!" I smiled faintly, my heart twisting painfully. "Yeah, baby... he does." Jacob gestured to the couch. "Sit," he said gently. "Let’s talk." I nodded, sinking into the plush cushions, cradling my trembling hands in my lap. Rose plopped down on the carpet with Donut, giggling as he pawed at her hair ribbons. I looked up at Jacob as he sat across from me, his elbows resting on his knees, his warm brown eyes locked onto mine. "Start talking," I whispered, my voice trembling. He exhaled slowly, his gaze dropping to his clasped hands before returning to me. "I knew about you through my sister... Natalie." "Natalie?" I frowned. "I... I don’t know anyone named Natalie." He smiled faintly. "You did... she attends your college." My heart lurched painfully. "College...? I... I don’t remember..." He nodded sadly. "I know. But... we officially met when Natalie and I came to your house... when you were living with Ruben." The world seemed to tilt beneath me. My breath caught in my throat. "Ruben... my ex-husband...?" "Yes," he said softly. "We helped you... leave him." My mind spun violently. Everything he was saying sounded like a dream I couldn’t wake up from. "How... how do you know about Ruben...? Nothing... nothing you’re saying makes sense... but... it also makes sense. I don’t... I don’t understand..." Tears blurred my vision as I gripped the hem of my dress tightly. "Why... why don’t I remember any of this, Jacob?" I whispered, my voice breaking. "Why can’t I remember anyone being part of my separation with Ruben...?" He looked at me then, his eyes deep pools of sorrow and regret. "Because... you lost your memory," he said softly. I froze, staring at him as if he’d grown wings and horns right in front of me. "I... lost my memory...?" He nodded slowly, pain flickering across his face. For a long moment, silence filled the room, only broken by Rose’s giggles and Donut’s purrs in the background. Finally, my voice cracked with desperation as I whispered, "How...? How did I lose my memory...?" His eyes softened, and he leaned closer, his voice so quiet and tender it wrapped around my heart like silk. "I wiped it," he whispered, his words shattering everything inside me. My breath caught painfully in my chest. My eyes widened in horror and confusion as I stared at him, trembling. "You... you what...?" I croaked, my voice barely audible over the roaring in my ears. "I... I’m so sorry, Easter," he whispered, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I... I wiped your memory." And just like that, my world collapsed into a silent scream.

Chapter 293: The Memory He Stole

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