The Heart Never Forgets

Chapter-16

CHAPTER-16

Adam Parker and Melissa Parker stood before the main entrance. Together, they stood there, greeting and welcoming the arriving guests. Ethan kept a watchful eye on the guests, attending to their needs. Ethan was feeling particularly cheerful today. The house had been decorated exquisitely; the shimmering lights and soft music filling the air had set his heart aflutter. With his eyes fixed constantly on the main entrance, he waited eagerly for Della's arrival.

Perhaps this is exactly how it feels to fall in love for the first time—waiting becomes an agonizing experience. Finally, Della and Lucy arrived. Ethan watched in delighted surprise as he noticed that Della was wearing his favorite outfit. However, both Della and Aunt Lucy seemed somewhat downcast. Meanwhile, Morris, Tina, and Lucas had also arrived. Now, the party could begin in full swing.

Stealing away from the public eye, Ethan made his way over to Della.

Ethan: "You look absolutely beautiful. But why do you seem so sad? Is it because you're wearing my favorite outfit?"

Della: "Oh, no, no—it's nothing like that! Actually, I just happened to be wearing it at home, so I simply came over in it."

Ethan: "Alright, stop blushing now. I understand exactly what's going on. Ha... ha..."

Everyone soon became engrossed in eating and socializing. Melissa Parker was bustling about, busy overseeing every detail. A short while later, Adam Parker and Melissa Parker took a microphone in hand; as they attempted to capture everyone's attention, the guests—wherever they happened to be—shifted in their seats and turned toward them. Adam Parker began to speak, reflecting on how he had spent so many wonderful years in the company of everyone present.

Adam Parker: "Melissa and I often marvel—almost in disbelief—at how so many years have flown by in the blink of an eye. When we first arrived in Virginia with our little Ethan, we never imagined that we would become bound to all of you by such deep ties of affection."

Ethan grew up here and completed his high school education; we gained some wonderful friends and well-wishers along the way. You were—and will remain, for a lifetime—very close to our hearts. The demands of life may be separating us today, but you—and the wonderful times we shared—will remain a source of inspiration for us throughout our lives. Melissa Parker then took the microphone in her hand.

Melissa Parker: "We may have inadvertently caused offense to some of you; we hope you will forgive us."

A neighbor seated in the front row spoke up:

Neighbor: "Never! You two have always been the apple of our eye. And your son, Ethan—he is such a sweet, well-behaved child. We are going to miss you both every single day."

Another neighbor chimed in:

Neighbor: "Adam, if your parents weren't ill, I wouldn't have let you leave for Virginia for anything in the world."

Adam became deeply emotional. He embraced the neighbor, giving him a warm hug. Many others began stepping up to the microphone to share their sentiments with the crowd; Melissa and Parker were moved to tears time and again. Melissa eventually broke down and wept openly. Morris, Tina, and Lucy gathered around her, holding her close in a comforting embrace for a while.

Before long, however, everything returned to a sense of normalcy. Everyone was soon engrossed in the music and drinks. Morris and Tina approached Adam and Melissa and began to speak...

Tina: "Melissa, you’ve done a wonderful job hosting this party. Thank you so much for inviting us."

Melissa: "I feel truly honored that you both came, Tina."

Tina: "Melissa, I’d like to add a little extra joy to your party—if you’ll grant me permission."

Melissa: "How so?"

Tina: "I’d like to make an announcement, provided I have your consent. I hope it will come as a wonderful surprise for everyone here."

Melissa: "Yes! Of course, Tina—who doesn't love a good surprise?"

Tina glanced over at Morris. After exchanging a silent signal with her eyes and receiving his nod of approval, she turned her gaze toward Lucy. Lucy looked rather despondent. Then, Tina slowly walked over and took her place beside the microphone. Seeing this, Lucy and Della looked on in astonishment—wondering what on earth Tina was about to say! Tina: I am truly heartbroken that a beloved family among us is leaving Virginia. It is only natural that everyone would feel downhearted on a day like this. We certainly hope that Adam and Melissa—along with their son, Ethan—will return to be among us once again. However, I do have some happy news to share today. It is news that I’m sure will come as quite a surprise to you both, Melissa and Adam.

Everyone clamored loudly, eager to know what the news was.

Tina: Wait, wait! Don't be so impatient; I’m about to tell you right now. We actually held off on sharing this news for so long because we had hoped to wait for a special moment—once our children had grown up—to make the announcement. Today, it felt like the perfect time to finally share this with everyone.

Melissa: Yes, tell us! What is it? We can’t bear the suspense any longer!

Tina: All right, I’m telling you now. Our little ones are growing up; they have successfully graduated from high school, and I couldn't be prouder of them. I am equally proud of my son, Lucas, and Lucy’s daughter, Della. To ensure that they could spend the rest of their lives together, we arranged for Lucas and Della to be married when they were still very young children. Today, Maurice and I simply want to ask you all to offer your blessings to Della and Lucas as they embark on their future together.

As soon as Tina finished speaking, a pin-drop silence fell over the entire party venue. No one had expected anything like this from Tina and Maurice. Everyone stood there, utterly dumbfounded, for a few moments. Then, when Maurice began to clap, everyone else joined in, their applause echoing his. Melissa approached Tina and whispered:

Melissa: I had no idea you two had planned things out so far in advance regarding Della! This truly comes as a huge surprise to me.

From a distance, having overheard Tina’s words, Lucy stood completely stunned. She could scarcely believe her own ears. How on earth could Tina have done something like this? Tina felt no need to consult with Lucy before doing this in front of everyone at the party. Lucy was taken aback. Della was standing right beside her. As Lucy glanced at Della, she saw that Della’s face had turned completely crimson; her eyes were glistening with tears. Before Lucy could say a word, Della asked—

Della: Mom, what on earth is going on here? You didn't tell me a single thing about this beforehand! Had I known, I never would have come to this party.

Lucy: Della, I am so sorry. I honestly can't make heads or tails of any of this myself. Just give me a moment to figure out what's happening—is everything alright? You stay right here. —Having said this, Lucy started heading toward Tina, but on her way, Morris suddenly appeared out of nowhere and pulled Lucy behind a tree. Before Lucy could even grasp what was happening, Morris began to whisper:

Morris: Look, Lucy—we have done exactly what is best for you and your daughter. So, I expect you to accept everything quietly and cooperate fully with Tina.

Lucy: You can't do this! How could you make such a decision all on your own, Morris? Did you not spare a single thought for Della?

Morris: We can discuss all of that later. For now, just accept what is taking place here.

Lucy: No! Absolutely not!

Morris: Do you remember the contract? Your signature is on it, you know.

Lucy: I don't acknowledge it! You, people, are committing fraud! I’m going to tell everyone everything. I’ll go to the police!

Morris: That won't do you any good, Lucy. You have no power here.

Lucy: My daughter, Della, will never accept this—and you certainly can't do anything against her wishes! Hah!

Morris: Ha ha... and what if Della does accept it? Then what?

Lucy looked somewhat bewildered. Morris then spoke in a somewhat menacing tone:

Morris: Go on now. Go stand quietly beside Tina.

As Lucy went to stand between Tina and Melissa, Melissa spoke to her:

Melissa: Greetings, Lucy. However, you’ve chosen to announce such monumental news at the very last minute—just as we are about to leave!

Lucy: No, well... I was actually just telling Tina that she should take a moment to think things over—to consider Della’s opinion... Tina cut Lucy off mid-sentence and steered the conversation toward a different topic. Melissa found this rather odd. Moreover, ever since they had arrived at the party, both Lucy and Della had seemed incredibly distracted—as if they were physically present but mentally miles away. Melissa herself was somewhat puzzled by the situation. She had been under the impression that a relationship was blossoming between Ethan and Della; consequently, Tina's remarks struck her as implausible. Melissa sensed an underlying mystery—something that neither she nor the neighbors were privy to. As soon as she voiced her suspicions to Adam, he turned to Lucy and Tina and remarked:

Adam: "We can't seem to find Della anywhere. Does that mean she's simply overjoyed—so much so that she’s vanished into thin air with Lucas?"

Meanwhile, just as Lucy went over to join Tina and Melissa, Lucas approached Ella and stood beside her, reminding her of the conversation they had shared in the park earlier that morning. As those words were recalled, Della shuddered.