Time Heals All Wounds By Oliver Thomas 39 Summary
The story begins with the narrator experiencing a sudden shock when Henry abruptly ends their phone call. Henry and the narrator have shared a deep bond since childhood, growing up together through various stages of life and supporting each other through significant challenges. The narrator recalls powerful memories, such as Henry saving her from drowning as a child and defending her against her abusive father as a teenager, highlighting the strength of their connection.
However, their futures now seem uncertain. They are headed to colleges thousands of miles apart—Henry to USC and the narrator to Columbia—with Gianna positioned between them. Despite the narrator’s ability to change her college plans easily, she feels emotionally drained and unable to act. This distance and the presence of Gianna introduce tension and complexity into their relationship.
Gianna’s arrival at the narrator’s home adds another layer of conflict. Although she presents herself as sweet and vulnerable, the narrator senses her manipulative nature and resents her influence over Henry. Gianna’s behavior has shifted Henry’s feelings; he initially despised her but softened after she showed concern when he was injured. Gianna’s claim of calling Henry her “brother” complicates the social dynamics, and the narrator feels sidelined, labeled as the “New York ex.”
Despite the teasing and challenges, Henry has always reassured the narrator that she is his “forever girl.” Yet, with the changes and distance between them, the narrator is left questioning the future of their relationship and whether she still holds that special place in Henry’s life. The story captures the emotional turmoil of growing up, changing relationships, and confronting uncertainty.
Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below
The call abruptly ended. Henry had just hung up on me.
I sat frozen, as if the ground beneath me had shifted and thrown my world off balance for a fleeting moment.
Henry and I had been inseparable since childhood—twelve years of growing up side by side through elementary, middle, and high school.
I could still vividly recall his six-year-old face, dripping wet but determined, the moment he pulled me out of Central Park Lake when I nearly drowned.
And I could never forget the fierce look in his eyes at sixteen, the night he stood up to my abusive father, beating him until he was bloodied and on his knees, begging for mercy.
For over a decade, having Henry by my side felt as natural as breathing. Everyone around us always said I couldn’t imagine life without him.
So it was no surprise that my entire college plan revolved around him as well.
But now, everything had changed. One of us was headed to Columbia, the other to USC—two thousand miles apart—with Gianna standing right between us.
I could have switched my application, changed it back to Columbia with just a few clicks.
Yet, despite the simplicity of the decision, I felt utterly drained, unable even to bring myself to move the mouse.
After what felt like an eternity of sitting there in silence, Grandma’s voice called out from the other room, “Someone’s here to see you.”
I stepped outside and spotted petite Gianna standing on the porch, dressed in a white sundress, waving at me with an innocent smile plastered on her face.
“Hey Aurora,” she said softly. “I just talked to Henry on the phone. He sounded really upset. He’s been insisting I go drinking with him tonight. Would that be okay?”
Her tone was sweet and cautious, but beneath it all, I could detect a subtle trace of smugness.
She’d been like this all through senior year—fragile and pitiful on the surface, yet secretly pleased with herself.
And now, here she was again, standing at my doorstep, playing the same manipulative game.
I stared at her with icy detachment, silently questioning why Henry was drawn to this fake, high-pitched act of hers.
In truth, Henry had despised her at first. He thought she was trouble—calculating and manipulative.
But then, during a basketball game, Henry twisted his ankle.
Before I could even react, Gianna was already in tears, frantically searching for ice packs to help him.
Henry had just stood there, stunned and speechless.
Though he later rejected her confession, he stopped pushing her away so harshly.
Eventually, Gianna settled on calling Henry her “brother.”
Everyone at school knew Henry had a sister from Southern California.
As for me? I earned a new nickname: the New York ex.
People would laugh whenever they heard it—even Henry couldn’t help but chuckle.
He’d ruffle my hair and whisper, “You’re not my ex-wife. You’re my forever girl.”
But now, Henry Desmond, I had to ask myself—was I still your forever girl?
Conclusion
The fragile threads that once bound Henry and me now felt stretched to their breaking point, tangled by distance and the subtle manipulations of someone who seemed to wedge herself between us. The memories of our shared past—his fierce protection, our unspoken promises—clashed painfully with the present reality, where uncertainty and doubt crept in. Despite the ache of separation and the looming question of what our future held, the depth of our connection lingered, a bittersweet reminder of what once was and what might still be.
In this quiet moment of reflection, I realized that love, no matter how enduring, is tested by time and circumstance. The path ahead was unclear, clouded by choices and emotions I had yet to fully confront. Yet beneath the uncertainty, a quiet hope remained—a hope that the bonds forged through years of shared trials and triumphs might still find a way to endure, even when life pulls us in different directions.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions swirling between Aurora, Henry, and Gianna. As the distance between Henry and Aurora grows, both geographically and emotionally, the cracks in their once unbreakable bond become more pronounced. Will Aurora find the strength to confront the shifting dynamics, or will the weight of separation and Gianna’s subtle manipulations pull them further apart?
Tensions are bound to rise as Aurora grapples with feelings of betrayal, confusion, and longing. The delicate balance of their friendship and love is on the brink, and every choice Aurora makes could either heal old wounds or deepen them. Readers can expect moments charged with vulnerability and raw honesty, where the true nature of loyalty and trust will be tested like never before.

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.