The Heart Never Forgets

Chapter-18

CHAPTER-18

Della sits by the window, weeping. She still cannot believe what transpired at the party. Her heart feels as though it is breaking from the sheer weight of her sorrow. How is she supposed to accept this? How will she ever forget Ethan? Why did this have to happen to her? Right now, she feels an overwhelming urge to see Ethan—to go to him and tell him that she refuses to accept this marriage, which she wants to leave with him. Just then, Lucy comes and sits beside Della, and Della immediately throws her arms around her mother and begins to sob uncontrollably. Lucy can sense the depth of the pain Della is enduring today. It was with this very same anguish—the agony of losing a loved one—that Lucy herself had wept on the day Delves passed away. Yet, despite all her tears, Lucy could never bring Delves back. But why—oh, why must her beloved daughter, Della, weep like this? Lucy cannot fathom why Della would agree to marry Lucas when she clearly loves Ethan.

Lucy: Della, my darling daughter... tell me, how am I supposed to bear seeing you cry like this?

Della: Mom, why didn't you tell me about this sooner?

Lucy: Tell you about what?

Della: Why didn't you tell me earlier about the childhood betrothal between Lucas and me?

Lucy: I didn't think it was necessary.

Della: What do you mean? You had our marriage arranged long ago—before we were even grown! You announced it publicly at the party today, and now you're telling me you didn't think it was necessary?

Lucy: Yes, I still maintain that I didn't think it was necessary. It was something your father arranged while he was still alive. I gave my consent back then, too. But later on, I completely forgot about it. I assumed it was merely a fleeting whim—a passing fancy that we would all eventually forget. But who could have known that Maurice and Tina harbored such cunning malice in their hearts? Then your father passed away, and I became so consumed by my work that the whole matter simply slipped my mind entirely.

Della: That means... You aren't in favor of this marriage either—just like me! Lucy: Hmm... Well, obviously, I wasn't on board with it. Just like you, I was completely taken aback when Tina announced the party. You saw it all yourself.

Della: Hmm.

Lucy: But how could you keep something of this magnitude hidden from me?

Della: I know exactly what you’re asking about.

Lucy: Then tell me—why didn't you open up to your mother about everything? Instead, I had to go to the party just to witness and hear it all firsthand.

Della: Mom, it’s true that Ethan and I love each other, but we only confessed our feelings to one another this very morning. And look—so much has happened in just a single day. Ethan is deeply hurt. But Mom, I don't understand—why are you calling Morris and Tina "devious"?

Lucy: They have ensnared us in a terrible trap. When your father passed away, we owed them a sum of money; at that time, they cunningly tricked me into signing a document. Now, if we don't give them your hand in marriage, they intend to use that document to corner us and seize everything we own. However, I am willing to hand it all over to them if you wish to change your mind about the marriage. To me, your happiness is what truly matters. I still have some savings left, which will be enough for us to live comfortably. I will file a lawsuit against them. Everyone needs to know the truth.

Della was stunned by everything she heard. If Lucas's parents were capable of such heinous acts, then—naturally—Lucas himself might be capable of doing something terrible to Ethan. Della felt tears welling up in her eyes. Steeling her resolve, she embraced Lucy tightly, wiped away her tears, and said:

Della: Mom, you don't need to file a lawsuit. I will let go of Ethan. Lucas isn't actually that bad; even if he follows his parents' instructions, he genuinely likes me. He would never do anything to harm me. You'll see—we will be happy together.

Lucy: Are you sure about this? Think it over carefully. You might end up regretting this later, Della.

Della: No, Mom, I mean it. Lucas is a very good person. He just has a bit of a short temper—but I know him well. Beneath her exterior lay a tender heart. Yet, Della still could not bring herself to reveal the whole truth to Lucy. She knew that if she exposed Lucas's true colors to Lucy, her mother would fall ill. Her mother had toiled tirelessly her entire life to raise her; as a daughter, Della could not bear the thought of her mother losing everything and ending up destitute on the streets because of her. To keep Ethan safe and to ensure a healthy, peaceful life for her mother, Della had made a difficult decision. She would have to accept this marriage now, keeping everything a secret. It was a decision that would ultimately be for the best for everyone involved.

Lucy: "My darling girl, I am so proud of you. One day, you will have everything. Everything you deserve will come to you. If your father were alive today, our lives would have been so different. We certainly wouldn't have been left so helpless at the mercy of fate and circumstance. I know what it feels like to be utterly helpless." (Lucy embraced her daughter and wept bitterly.)

Della: "Don't worry, Mom. Everything will be alright."

Della could not sleep that night. Her mind went completely blank; a pitch-black darkness seemed to close in on her from all sides. She found herself adrift in a vast ocean, with not even a single straw to cling to for support.

Earlier that morning, on her way to meet Ethan, she could never have imagined that she would end up in such a predicament. Della had accepted—or rather, was compelled to accept—everything as her destiny.

Della eventually drifted into a light slumber. Suddenly, she saw Ethan standing before her. Amidst a torrential downpour, Ethan was staring right at her. There was no love in his eyes—only hatred and rage. The mere sight of his face made Della’s blood run cold. She woke up with a start and frantically looked around for Ethan, but he was nowhere to be found. Della realized it had merely been a dream. She glanced beside her and saw her mother, Lucy, fast asleep.

Della began to tremble uncontrollably once again; her body shook, and the very bed beneath her quivered. Lying beside her, her mother Lucy’s heart, too, began to tremble: had her daughter truly given her heart to Ethan? If so, why was she going to marry Lucas—and why, after consenting to the marriage, did she keep sobbing uncontrollably? To Lucy, it was all a mystery; yet to Della, everything was crystal clear: she loved Ethan—and would continue to love him for the rest of her life. The intensity of the rain increased further.