Stars Fall Softly Upon Memories We Thought Were Gone by Milo Jasper Ray 1 Summary
In the first chapter of “Stars Fall Softly Upon Memories We Thought Were Gone,” Isabelle Darroch stands on the cusp of her wedding to Matteo Norkett, unaware that her life is about to spiral into chaos. Just hours before the ceremony, scandal strikes when paparazzi capture Matteo in a compromising situation with an intern. Overwhelmed by feelings of betrayal, Isabelle decides to escape her reality and purchases a plane ticket, yearning for clarity away from the impending disaster. However, upon waking, she discovers that five years have passed, and her world has drastically changed.
Isabelle’s panic escalates as she realizes her family is unreachable, and a chilling message reveals her identity has been deregistered due to death. This revelation sends her into a spiral of despair, as she grapples with the loss of her past life and the love she once shared with Matteo. In a moment of desperation, she reaches out to him, and despite the time that has passed, he responds with a calmness that belies the tumultuous emotions swirling within her. Their reunion is bittersweet, filled with confusion and the weight of unspoken accusations.
As Isabelle confronts Matteo, she finds herself facing not only his skepticism about her time travel claim but also the painful truth of her disappearance and its impact on his life. The emotional tension peaks when Brianna, the very intern from the scandal, enters the scene as Matteo’s wife, shattering Isabelle’s heart further. The realization that she has lost not only her parents but also her future with Matteo is devastating. As the couple extends an unexpected invitation for her to stay, Isabelle feels like an intruder in her own past, struggling with the remnants of a love that has moved on without her.
Arriving at the villa, which once symbolized her dreams with Matteo, she is met with the harsh reality of Brianna’s pregnancy, leaving her feeling like a ghost in her own life. The maids’ intrusion into her belongings further emphasizes her alienation, as she is treated as a potential threat rather than the woman who once belonged there. In a moment of defiance, she asserts herself, but the pain of her situation overwhelms her, leading to a breakdown.
In her solitude, Isabelle discovers a plane ticket that offers a glimmer of hope, indicating a possible return to the life she lost. This discovery ignites a flicker of determination within her, suggesting that perhaps she can reclaim her past and alter the course of her future. The chapter ends on a note of uncertainty, balancing the weight of her sorrow with the possibility of redemption.
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**Stars Fall Softly Upon Memories We Thought Were Gone**
**Chapter 1**
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden hue over the city, Isabelle Darroch stood on the brink of a new chapter in her life—her wedding to Matteo Norkett was just hours away. However, unbeknownst to her, the evening would soon unravel in ways she could never have anticipated. The paparazzi, ever-watchful and hungry for scandal, captured Matteo in a compromising situation, lingering with an intern from his company long after the sun had set.
In a whirlwind of emotions, Isabelle felt her heart race with fury and betrayal. Without a second thought, she purchased a plane ticket, desperate to escape the chaos that had suddenly engulfed her life. She needed to clear her mind, to breathe, to find solace away from the impending disaster of her wedding day.
But when she opened her eyes again, the world around her had transformed. Five years had slipped through her fingers like sand in an hourglass. Panic set in as she reached for her phone, dialing her parents’ numbers frantically, only to be met with the disheartening sound of silence—those numbers were no longer in service.
Then, a chilling message flashed across her computer screen: “This identity has been deregistered due to death.” The words hit her like a punch to the gut, leaving her breathless. Tears streamed down her cheeks, each drop landing on her phone, blurring the image of her wedding photo with Matteo that served as her wallpaper—a haunting reminder of the love she once knew.
In that moment of despair, a flicker of hope ignited within her. She knew she had to reach out to Matteo. With trembling fingers, she unlocked her phone and dialed his number, the sound of each ring echoing in her ears as she held her breath, counting the agonizing seconds until he answered.
“Hello?” came the voice, familiar yet distant, as if it belonged to a stranger.
The weight in Isabelle’s heart began to lift, and she poured out her tumultuous emotions in a rush. “Honey, something weird just happened… I’m really scared. Can you come get me?”
There was a pause, a moment that felt like an eternity, before Matteo’s calm voice responded, “Okay.”
***
As Isabelle stepped into the office that once felt like a second home, a wave of familiarity washed over her, grounding her in the surreal reality of her situation. Without hesitation, she threw herself into Matteo’s arms, the warmth of his embrace a bittersweet comfort. She sobbed, releasing all the pent-up fear and confusion that had consumed her.
But after what felt like an eternity, Matteo gently pulled her away, concern etched on his face. “Wait, are you saying you traveled through time?”
Isabelle nodded vigorously, desperation in her eyes, but instead of understanding, Matteo’s expression hardened. “You really think I’m going to buy that? Five years ago, you vanished on our wedding day, and now you expect me to believe this absurd story?”
“Don’t you trust me?” she implored, her heart aching as she recalled how just days prior, they had been blissfully taking wedding photos together. Yet, the man standing before her now felt like a ghost of the person she once knew.
“How can I trust any of this? Five years ago, you disappeared without a trace. Our engagement became a cruel joke. My life turned into a nightmare, and your parents… they died in a car accident while searching for you, unable to find peace or rest.” His words struck her like arrows, each one piercing deeper than the last.
Isabelle squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to quell the storm of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. Pain washed over her, and she felt her body tremble with the weight of his accusations.
Finally, she found her voice, though it was barely above a whisper. “What about you? Did you even try to look for me in all this time?”
Matteo’s silence spoke volumes, his cold gaze locking onto hers without a hint of compassion. Just then, the door creaked open, breaking the tension in the air.
“Honey, I brought you some coffee…” a soft voice chimed, and Isabelle froze, her heart racing. The blood in her veins felt like ice as she stood paralyzed, unable to turn around.
Matteo shifted, placing an arm around the newcomer, his voice softening. “As you can see, I’m married now. This is my wife, Brianna Tarne.”
Isabelle’s breath caught in her throat as she turned to face the very intern who had been photographed with Matteo five years ago. Brianna stood there, her hair casually pulled back in a bun, a friendly smile adorning her face.
“Hey there!” she greeted, her cheerfulness a stark contrast to the turmoil swirling inside Isabelle.
In that instant, Isabelle felt as if the ground beneath her had crumbled away. In one night, she had lost not only her parents but also the love of her life. The realization hit her hard, and she spun around, her legs unsteady as she attempted to flee.
“Isabelle,” Matteo called out, his tone steady and calm. “You don’t have anywhere to go right now. For old times’ sake, why not stay with us for a bit? We’ll figure things out together.”
Brianna stepped forward, taking Isabelle’s hand gently. “I don’t know what’s happening, but you look really upset. You must be going through something tough. Why not come back with us for now?”
Isabelle felt her heart shatter into a million pieces; a dull ache spread through her chest. Home had once been a sanctuary shared solely between her and Matteo. Now, it was a place filled with memories that belonged to another woman.
Before she knew it, she found herself being led to the underground parking lot. Matteo opened the front passenger door with practiced ease, and without thinking, Isabelle climbed in, feeling as if she were stepping into a dream—one that had turned into a nightmare.
Matteo’s brow furrowed slightly, but he said nothing as he assisted Brianna into the back seat. Isabelle clenched her fists, embarrassment flooding her as she realized how rude she had been. The passenger seat, once hers alone, now belonged to Brianna, his wife.
As the car roared to life, the stereo that had once blared her favorite jazz tunes now played soft, soothing music that felt foreign to her ears. They drove along the familiar route, each turn igniting memories of a life she once envisioned with Matteo. Finally, they pulled up to the villa, a place that had once been their dream home.
Every detail of the house had been meticulously crafted by Matteo to cater to her tastes, yet now it felt like a stranger’s abode.
Isabelle was shown to the guest room on the first floor, and before she could even settle in, a flurry of maids rushed in, their expressions serious.
“Ms. Darroch, right? Mrs. Norkett is pregnant, so we need to check if you’ve brought anything dangerous with you.”
The word “pregnant” hit Isabelle like a physical blow, her vision blurring as reality crashed down around her. They were expecting a baby now? She should have been the one marrying Matteo five years ago, but now she felt like an intruder in a life that had moved on without her.
The maids, oblivious to her turmoil, began rummaging through her belongings without a second thought.
“Ms. Darroch, please don’t take offense,” one of them said, but the words felt hollow.
Isabelle dug her nails into her palms, the sharp pain grounding her in the moment. Once, she had been the lady of this house, but now she was treated as a potential threat, her very presence a cause for concern.
She looked up at the maids, her voice trembling but resolute. “Is this Matteo’s idea?”
One of them nodded, her expression sympathetic. “Yes, he told us to make sure Mrs. Norkett is safe.”
“If that’s what he wants, then tell him to come search my bag himself!” Isabelle snapped, a surge of defiance coursing through her.
The maids exchanged glances, their bravado faltering, and they quickly exited the room, leaving her alone once more.
As the silence enveloped her, a familiar wave of abandonment washed over Isabelle. She slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor, hugging her knees tightly as the tears flowed freely.
Through her blurry vision, she caught sight of her unzipped bag on the ground, a corner of a plane ticket peeking out.
She halted her sobs and reached for the ticket, her heart racing as she pulled it free.
The printed words made her pulse quicken: “Return to September 30, 2020, in seven days.”
Hope flickered within her, mingling with the pain, as she realized that perhaps, just perhaps, she still had a chance to reclaim the life she had lost.
Conclusion
In the midst of heartbreak and disillusionment, Isabelle stood at a precipice of despair, facing the remnants of a life she once cherished but had lost to the cruel passage of time. The weight of betrayal hung heavily around her, as the echoes of her past collided with the stark reality of the present. Yet, as she clutched the plane ticket that promised a return to a moment before everything shattered, a glimmer of hope ignited within her. This ticket was not just an escape; it was a lifeline, a chance to rewrite her story, to reclaim the love that had slipped through her fingers. The possibility of redemption shimmered on the horizon, urging her to summon the courage to confront the past and the choices that had led her here.
Isabelle’s heart, though bruised and battered, began to mend as she contemplated the journey ahead. With each passing moment, she realized that while the scars of her experience would remain, they would not define her. The thought of returning to September 30, 2020, filled her with a sense of purpose, a determination to fight for what was rightfully hers. She would not merely be a ghost haunting the edges of Matteo’s new life; she would become the architect of her destiny, ready to confront the pain and reclaim her place in the world. As she wiped away her tears, Isabelle understood that stars could indeed fall softly upon memories once thought lost, illuminating a path toward healing and the promise of love renewed.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
In the next chapter of *Stars Fall Softly Upon Memories We Thought Were Gone*, readers can expect a deep dive into Isabelle’s emotional turmoil as she grapples with her new reality. With the shocking revelation of Matteo’s marriage to Brianna and the impending arrival of a baby, Isabelle is left questioning her place in a world that seems to have moved on without her. As she navigates the complexities of her feelings, the tension between her desire to reclaim her past and the harsh truths of her present will intensify. Will she find the courage to confront Matteo and Brianna, or will the weight of her heartbreak keep her silent?
Moreover, the mysterious plane ticket that promises a return to September 30, 2020, adds an intriguing layer of suspense. As Isabelle contemplates her options, readers will be on the edge of their seats, wondering if she will seize this second chance to alter her fate. Will she risk everything to change the course of her life, or will she choose to forge a new path amidst the remnants of her shattered dreams? The stakes are high, and the emotional stakes even higher, as Isabelle stands at the crossroads of love, loss, and the possibility of redemption. Prepare for a whirlwind of emotions and unexpected twists that will keep you guessing until the very last moment.
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.
