Seeing Matthew stand up for me like that, Ivy's face twisted with anger.
She sneered, locking eyes with Matthew. "Fine, my only wish now is for him to remember our past life together."
Aiden frowned and immediately shot back, "No way. That's not fair to him."
Since Matthew had chosen to start fresh, his past life no longer concerned him. If he were to remember his previous life, it would only add to his troubles. Aiden wasn't about to let that happen.
Ivy sneered again, her face full of disdain. "None of you can meet a single one of my wishes; aren't you just lying?"
She glared at Matthew, her true feelings spilling out. "I've been stuck in this world for years, clinging to our memories, while you are moved on. I can't accept that. I want you to remember our past. I don't think you'd still protect her if you did."
I frowned. Her need for revenge was intense. If she couldn't have Matthew, did she want to ruin him?
Matthew said, "Okay."
Everyone in the room stared at Matthew in shock.
He stayed calm, looking Ivy straight in the eye. "If that's what you want, then I agree."
It was clear Ivy wanted him to suffer like she did, but Matthew didn't back down.
"Matthew, you can't do this. It'll destroy you," I pleaded.
Even knowing Ivy's intentions, he still agreed.
Matthew gave me a gentle smile. "I owe her this. Consider it repayment."
Ivy's lips curled into a smirk. "Really?"
Matthew nodded firmly.
Since everything stemmed from his past with Ivy, he was determined to end it, no matter the cost.
Matthew turned to Aiden, smiling. "Mr. Martinez, please."
Aiden frowned, serious. "Matthew, let me be clear. You've got a bright future. If you remember your past life and can't handle it, you might lose it. Are you sure about this?"
Matthew nodded. "Mr. Martinez, don't worry. I'm an adult. I am capable of taking responsibility for my own decisions."
"Matthew..." I started, but Howard pulled me aside, shaking his head. "This is Matthew's decision. Stay out of it."
"But what if something goes wrong?" Ivy was so sure Matthew would change after knowing their past. There had to be a reason. I couldn't risk his life.
"Do you think you can change his mind?" Howard's calm words stopped me cold.
Matthew might seem gentle, but he was stubborn. Once he made up his mind, no one could change it but him.
Matthew said, "Ms. Price, I don't know how deep our love was in our past life, but since I chose to start fresh, I'm not the same guy anymore. I might look the same, but you've probably noticed my personality's different." When he was with Ivy, he often felt like she was seeing someone else through him.
Back then, he didn't get it. Now he did. Ivy wasn't looking at him but at his past self.
A person's behavior and personality were usually shaped by their environment. He was different now.
Ivy bit her lip, staring hard at Matthew. "I don't believe you can stay indifferent after remembering our past life."
Matthew didn't say anything, just smiled, then turned to Aiden. "Mr. Martinez, let's get this started."
Seeing he was set on this, Aiden just nodded and gestured upstairs. "Follow me."
Matthew headed up the stairs without a second thought.
I anxiously waited in the living room. Amelia, seeing my worry, tried to reassure me. "Don't worry. Grandpa will make sure Mr. Moore is safe. He'll be fine."
As she spoke, there was a slight noise from upstairs. I looked up eagerly and saw Matthew coming down.
His expression was calm and composed, just like before.
Had he remembered or not?
Ivy was even more agitated than I was. From the moment Matthew came downstairs, her eyes never left him. "Matthew..."
Matthew looked at her calmly, his eyes brimming with emotion. "Ivy, let it go. You need to move on."
Ivy's face fell, looking at Matthew in disbelief. "What?"
He repeated softly, but firmly. "You have your own path to follow. Let it go."
Ivy's eyes filled with painful disbelief. She stared at Matthew, her gaze seemingly ready to shatter.
Her voice trembled as she asked, "Is that all you want to say to me? Nothing else?"
She seemed overwhelmed by immense sorrow, but soon, she shook her head. "You must be in on this scam. Did you not regain your memory at all? Are you just trying to make me give up?"
Matthew smiled gently, a hint of helplessness and relief in his expression. He shook his head. "I remember actually. In our past life, I wronged you. You should have realized long ago that I was never the right person for you."
"No, you didn't wrong me..." Ivy shook her head vigorously, her voice filled with denial and resistance.
Matthew wanted her to accept reality, his words resolute. "I lacked the courage to face you, so I left without a word. You must have guessed it long ago. Why wait for me so long? Because you were unwilling to accept it. You didn't believe what they said—that I wronged you."
His voice grew somber, as if recalling painful memories. "Your father told you long ago. He wasn't wrong. Let it go. I've already started anew. Ivy, you should too."
Ivy looked at Matthew, asking painfully, "Does it have to be this way?"