All Chapters of The Unremembered Bride: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

Ashton Smith checked his watch as he left the County Clerk's Office, the divorce papers still warm in his hand."In two minutes, the pill will kick in. You'll lose every memory of loving me for the next three days. Once you pop the antidote, you won't remember a thing that happened while we were apart—no pain, no heartache."This split? It's just a break. We'll get married again once the dust settles. You're the only one for me, Macie. Always."I watched him as a silent storm brewed inside me.I knew too well the power of the pill I created. It did not wipe memories in a snap but washed them away slowly until the love I knew vanished into thin air.The worst part was that there was no antidote. Not yet, at least.Ashton, however, did not have a clue."Are you sure about this?" I whispered.He grinned, running his fingers through my hair with a lover's touch."Lydia's been crazy about me for ages. Her wish is to have a big, fat wedding. I couldn't say no. No regrets, not when i

Chapter 2

"Macie, I'm your brother. You've been sick, and you've lost some memories. I'll keep these important papers safe for you."I met Ashton's shifty eyes and kept silent, not calling him out on his lie.If he wanted to play that game, I would play along.Just then, a syrupy voice cut through the air."Ashton, there you are."I turned towards the commotion and saw Lydia prancing our way, tripping over a stone in her path.Ashton instinctively released me to catch her in his arms.I was caught off guard and stumbled against the wall, throbbing in my head then a sharp stab of pain.Lydia nestled into Ashton's embrace, her smile tinged with bashfulness. "Ashton, thank you for catching me."Ashton's expression shifted as he realized the situation. Then he quickly turned to me."Macie, are you alright? Lydia's not well, and a fall could cause serious bleeding. I had to make sure she was safe first. I'm sorry."I steadied myself as I brushed off the dust. With a strained voice, I repli

Chapter 3

After hanging up the phone, I headed home. It was only then that I was struck by the stark emptiness of the place.There was nothing left but a hollow shell.It was the house Ashton and I had made our own, where he once promised we would spend our lives together in that cozy little nest.However, the coffee set we had lovingly designed, the knick-knacks we had chosen—all traces of him had vanished without a trace.He must have been afraid I would cling to the memories, or maybe he did not want me to spiral out of control and ruin his upcoming wedding with Lydia. He had even turned the soil of the flowers we had nurtured together on the balcony.Looking around the barren rooms, I could not help but smirk bitterly.'Ashton, you've covered all your bases. Are you more afraid of my pain or the chaos of me remembering and wrecking your big day with Lydia? Would you have any regrets if you knew there was no turning back for me, no memories to reclaim?' I mused silently.I slipped off

Chapter 4

A crease formed between his brows as he wrapped his coat around me."It's freezing. Why are you dressed so lightly?"Ignoring his concern, I pressed on, "Are you searching for something?""Yeah, I need to borrow your wedding dress. Lydia wants to wear it for her big day."He added, as if I might have forgotten, "It's the one you wore at your own wedding."I just stared at him silently.How could I forget? He had crafted that dress with his own hands for me.From sketch to final stitch, it had taken two whole months.He had done it all because I once said, "I wish for a wedding dress that's one of a kind".However, there he was, ready to hand over the dress he made for me to perfect another woman's wedding.A laugh almost escaped me, but I held it back and asked instead, "Does the dress mean that much? Why does it have to be this one?"My question seemed to strike a chord, and he stopped what he was doing.When he finished the dress, he had promised, "This dress will forever

Chapter 5

The bridesmaids let out a collective sigh as Ashton put distance between his past and present."Lydia's young and stunning. Macie never stood a chance.""Ashton, you're holding Lydia's future now. Don't you dare fail her."He offered that same warm smile he once reserved for me."I won't let her down."My eyes darkened, and Noelle, fuming, bit back, "What nonsense! Since when does the other woman win with grace?"From somewhere in the crowd, a voice called out, stirring up excitement. "It's such a beautiful day. How about a kiss from Lydia and Ashton?"The bridesmaids echoed the sentiment."A kiss! A kiss!"Lydia turned to Ashton, her cheeks a delicate shade of pink, the picture of demure charm.Amidst the chants, Ashton tenderly caressed her ear before bending down to plant a soft kiss near her lips.The crowd erupted in cheers.However, amidst the revelry, I was engulfed by an overwhelming silence.His heart was already out of his control, and then, it seemed his body wa

Chapter 6

Ashton's face drained of color, and he rushed over to Noelle, his brow furrowed as he tried to appear calm. "Is what you're saying the truth or a lie?"Noelle scoffed. "A truth or a lie? Why would I waste my time lying to you? You're so arrogant. It's no wonder Macie walked away."You know what she told me? She despised her own weakness, hated how much she loved you, and that's why she could never make up her mind to leave you. However, you gave her the perfect way out with that drug, and now, she's free at last."Noelle's words hit Ashton like a sledgehammer, his voice quivering, "Where is she... Where is she now?"With a withering look and a defiant tilt of her chin, Noelle shot back, "You always said you loved her, right? If you love her that much, go find her yourself."Ashton's hand tightened into a fist as he tossed the bridal bouquet aside and strode out of the wedding hall."Ashton, Ashton! Please don't go. We haven't finished our wedding."Lydia's dress fluttered as she

Chapter 7

Ashton had always convinced himself that what he felt for Lydia was nothing more than pity, far from the weighty word that was 'love'.However, he could not deny that Lydia stirred something in him, evident in how he had instantly agreed to plan her wedding when he saw her tearful eyes.When did Lydia start mattering so much to him, and when did I start losing faith in him?Ashton's heart was a mess, as tangled as knotted hair.The letter wrinkled in his clenched hand, his fingertips turning pale as he whispered, "Macie, I was wrong."On the other side of the world, I sat on a plane, checking the time.In two minutes, Ashton would be nothing but a memory.I bet he was reading my letter right about then.I wondered if he would regret the choices he had made.I bowed my head, a soft chuckle escaping my lips.It was done. Regrets or not, they were no longer my concern.Ashton and I—we were strangers then.I hit delete on his contact in my phone and my hand flew to my heart, a

Chapter 8

Noelle looked up from the mountain of files, the picture of despair. "Macie, head to the diner and I'll catch up soon."I let out a resigned sigh. "Fine, but make it quick."I had barely left the research institute when a hand clamped down on my arm. I spun around to find a man's face, sharp and weary, inches from mine.The guy looked like he had pulled an all-nighter, complete with dark circles and a scruffy beard. He was a mess.His bloodshot eyes locked onto mine, and I jerked back, my heart racing. However, he was not letting go.I tsked and fished out some cash, shoving it into his hand. "This is all I've got on me, enough?"His mouth set in a hard line, and then it hit him—I had mistaken him for a beggar."I don't need your money."My patience was hanging by a thread when I asked, a bit snappily, "Why are you holding onto me? Do we even know each other?"He gazed at me, his voice suddenly desperate and shaky, "We do know each other, very well in fact. I'm Ashton, your hu

Chapter 9

Noelle shot him a look of pure loathing, wrapped her arm around me, and we walked away, leaving him behind. I glanced back to see him standing there, a picture of loneliness. As our eyes met, he seemed to want to speak but thought better of it. "What's on your mind?" Noelle asked.I turned away and whispered to Noelle, "That's my husband?" "Ex-husband," she corrected firmly."Don't bother trying to remember. It's best to forget him. He's not worth it."I smiled and nodded, letting the subject drop.The project was a whirlwind of activity, and in no time, we had the antidote in less than three months. Noelle was ecstatic, hugging me and jumping up and down with glee."The sample is already on its way, and the dean and his team will be here any minute. This drug could revolutionize the treatment of mental illness, Macie. You're looking at the next Nobel Prize winner!" I was worn out, but a sense of relief shone through my tired eyes.Five years had passed, and I had final

Chapter 10

Ashton turned and walked away, a picture of dejection.Once he was gone, Noelle let out a relieved breath."Macie, it's so good to see you with your wits. Ashton's been off the rails lately. I never knew he could go this crazy."Noelle sidled up to me, talking a mile a minute.From her, I found out that Lydia had previously conned him out of a hefty sum of money for supposed medical bills. Once Ashton caught on to the truth, he had gone straight to court to deal with her.Lydia was drowning in debt and had to take any job she could to pay it off, but Ashton had pulled some strings, and suddenly, not a single company would touch her with a ten-foot pole."It's like he's driving her to the brink. Ashton used to treat her like she was his everything, and now, he's dropped her like a hot potato."Between you and me, that guy's a ticking time bomb. Good riddance, I say. He was never good enough for you."I could not help but chuckle at her words. That was when the dean finally made

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