Fading Memories, New Beginnings

Chapter 4

Seven days was all she had left. In seven days, she would forget Jayden for good.

Rivka wiped away her tears, turned the picture frame facedown, changed clothes, and left the house.

At apartment 2901 in Haven Apartments, the young woman standing before her looked stunned. "Ms. Woodard... Are you really willing to sell us this place for half price?"

Rivka looked at the young couple, her eyes stinging with emotion.

"Yes. Half price."

Then she handed them the keys, along with every memory that place had ever held for her.

By the time she walked out of the complex, her expression had gone completely still.

Most people did not know that Jayden had built his fortune from nothing.

Back then, in that apartment, she had stayed by his side while they lived on dry bread, watched late-night games, and pulled all-nighters putting proposals together...

After they married, Rivka bought the apartment back. She had planned to give it to Jayden as an anniversary surprise.

Now it meant nothing.

In seven days, she would forget him completely, and once that happened, she would have no reason to keep the place.

*****

The next day at lunch, the three of them sat at the table in strained silence.

At this point, all Rivka had to do was wait. Once the time came, everything would finally go quiet.

She had just taken a sip of soup when Willow suddenly clutched her stomach and cried out in pain.

Jayden was on his feet in an instant and at Willow's side before anyone else had even reacted. His face tightened with alarm. "Willow, what's wrong? Where does it hurt?"

Willow pressed a hand to her stomach, looking miserable.

"Jayden, I feel awful. What if I can't make it to our wedding?"

"You will," he said immediately. Then he turned sharply. "Emma, call the doctor. Now!"

He scooped Willow into his arms and hurried upstairs.

He forgot all about Rivka still sitting at the table.

Before long, the entire house was in chaos. Rivka barely reacted. She had seen enough scenes like this by now. She simply stood and went back to her room.

As she passed the second floor, she heard the doctor's grave voice through the partially open door. "Ms. Norris' symptoms are consistent with food poisoning."

"Food poisoning?" Jayden sounded stunned and confused. "She's been eating the same meals I have. How could that happen?"

Willow lay pale and weak against the pillows.

"Jayden... I..."

Her voice was thin and broken, which only made Jayden look more distressed.

He sat beside her, took her hand, and spoke gently, "Willow, are you remembering something? Did you eat anything you shouldn't have?"

Rivka stood in the doorway and watched the scene unfold. She told herself her heart was numb by now, but somehow it still hurt too much to walk away.

Then Willow lifted a trembling finger and pointed straight at her.

"Rivka went into the kitchen," she said weakly. "But I'm sure she wouldn't poison me just because she hates that I'm the one marrying you..."

Her voice was faint, but every word landed like a blow. Rivka's expression froze for a beat when she heard that.

"You really think I would do something like that?"

Before she could say anything else, Jayden's cold gaze locked onto her. "Why would you do this?"

His eyes were hard, burning with both anger and disappointment.

Rivka almost laughed at herself. That question alone made it obvious how pointless any answer would be. She said nothing and turned back toward her room.

As she walked away, Willow stared after her, and something dark and satisfied flashed through her eyes.

Inside her room, Rivka sank onto the chaise by the window, but all she could see when she closed her eyes was the look Jayden had given her. She told herself to hold on a little longer. Just a few more days. Then it would all be over.

But there was only so much a person could bottle up before something inside them snapped.

Rivka opened her eyes, got up, and went to Willow's room.

She had just reached the door when she heard Willow speaking softly inside.

"Jayden, promise me you'll stay with me forever. Promise me we'll never be apart."

Her voice was quiet, but Rivka saw Jayden's back stiffen at once.

Rivka had to brace a hand against the wall to steady herself.

A dull ache began to spread through her chest.

Then Jayden's voice drifted out from the room, warm and impossibly gentle.

"Don't talk like that. I plan to be beside you for this entire life, and I'll find you again in the next one."