Her Missing Heart novel Chapter 4

The slap stung fiercely against my cheek.

Morgan opened her mouth to say more, but Ethan's cold voice cut her off: "Morgan, back to the gallery."

She fell silent instantly, shooting me a venomous glare before clicking away in her heels.

I looked at Ethan, whose dark eyes were filled with indifference.

Exhaustion swept over me. I wanted to explain everything, to end this charade: "Ethan, we—"

"Let's get some medicine for your cheek," he took my hand, leading me back inside. "Then we can finish planning the wedding details."

My words died in my throat, along with my courage to continue. I let him lead me forward.

We both stayed silent about what had just happened, as if it never occurred.

The wedding preparations continued, each day bringing us closer to the date.

I thought I could accept it calmly, but found myself growing increasingly anxious.

Ethan noticed and teased, "Pre-wedding jitters? How about we go out for a bit?"

Before I could answer, he pulled me out the door.

The amusement park bustled with people.

The moment I stepped in, memories of Gabriel flooded back—our kiss on the Ferris wheel, embrace on the carousel, holding hands on the roller coaster, exchanging promises among well-wishers...

These memories cut like a saw against my heart.

I tried to pull my hand from Ethan's grip: "I don't want to be here..."

But he held my wrist firmly: "Since we're here, let's enjoy ourselves."

He proceeded to drag me through every attraction.

Then Ethan took me to Riverside Glen—where Gabriel had proposed to me.

I finally understood Ethan's intention.

He wanted to retrace all the places Gabriel and I had been, overwriting old memories with new ones.

So that one day, when I revisited these places, I'd think of Ethan instead of Gabriel.

This realization tortured my heart. I resisted, struggling to escape.

But Ethan stared into my eyes: "Autumn, where did we go? What did we do?"

He asked repeatedly, relentlessly, until I recounted every detail.

But Ethan didn't realize—the more he pushed, the clearer Gabriel's image became.

So clear that every night, I carefully recalled each sweet memory, refusing to let any detail fade.

He loved me like life itself, yet here I was, about to marry another man.

Tears welled up as I crouched down, hugging myself.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

Ethan's message appeared: "Get some rest. I'll pick you up at 7 AM."

I stared at the glaring screen, my grip tightening, before suddenly standing and walking out.

...

Meanwhile, at the Blackwood mansion.

Ethan slept well and arrived promptly at 7 AM to collect his bride.

Everyone's faces beamed with joy, urging: "Come out, Autumn! Don't keep Ethan waiting."

But the room remained silent.

Ethan sensed something wrong and rushed to get the spare key from my mother. When the door opened, his face darkened.

Behind him, everyone's smiles froze. The room was empty except for the pristine white wedding dress!

—I had vanished.