The Stars Forget

1
The day I was released from prison, a woman claiming to be my ex-wife came to take me home.
I flinched away when she reached for my hand.
I dont know you.
The womans brow furrowed, as if she thought I was still holding a grudge. We agreed five years ago. When you got out, wed get remarried. She softened her tone slightly. Mom is getting older. Shes missed you.
Hearing that, I opened the diary I carried with me.
Written on the page was a single instruction.
[If a woman says she is your ex-wife, go home with her.]
Following the diarys command, I agreed.
Back home, I became the good husband and the good son they wanted me to be. When my ex-wife and my illegitimate half-brother were a little too close, I looked the other way. When my mother admitted she favored my brother, I didnt argue.
But then they started asking me why I had changed.
I didnt know how to answer.
The diary was very clear.
If I was obedient, I could save up enough money to leave and find a quiet place to die.
They didnt know that I had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers.
The hate, the love, the memories of them
I had already forgotten it all.
On the day of my release, the warden gave me a cold lecture about being a better man. I stood there in a threadbare shirt, clutching nothing but a worn diary.
A car horn blared, drawing my attention. Parked by the prison gates was a luxury car so flashy it hurt to look at. A woman in high heels got out and strode toward me, her eyes sweeping over me critically.
Wheres your luggage?
I looked up, meeting her gaze with a blank confusion. I had no memory of this person.
She glanced at her watch with a frown and reached for my hand. Lets go home. Mom misses you, too. And like we said, well get remarried now that youre out.
I instinctively pulled my hand back, my body tensing with alarm. Who are you? I dont know you.
She looked at me as if Id just told a terrible joke, the corner of her mouth twitching. Noah, what kind of game is this? I know youre angry, but playing the amnesia card? Dont you think thats a little pathetic?
Her expression was a mixture of frustration and impatience. Finally, she let out a resigned sigh. My name is Chloe. Im your ex-wife. Happy now? Moms waiting. Lets not waste any more time.
That name, at least, sparked something. It appeared on every page of my diary.
I stopped resisting and silently followed her to the car.
During the drive, Chloe asked me a lot of questions, but I couldnt answer a single one. Her patience eventually evaporated, and the car fell into a heavy silence.
I huddled in the corner of the back seat and opened my diary.
From dating to marriage, everything between Chloe and me had been smooth sailing. Our families were well-matched; we were childhood sweethearts.
I knew she was never really in love with me. It was more a matter of habit, of long-term companionship. We were married for years, but it seemed I was the only one who valued our vows more than life itself. I used to think that even if she didnt love me, I could accept it, as long as she was by my side.
But then my father died, and my mother brought his illegitimate son, Leo, to live with us.
And Chloe changed.
The woman who had always been lukewarm toward me would now hang on Leos every word. Shed ask about his favorite things, even cook his favorite meals.
I admit, I was jealous. We had a huge fight. When I demanded, again and again, that she keep her distance from him, she just scoffed.
Noah, maybe you should look at yourself for once. What has Leo done wrong? Im his sister-in-law. Im just doing my part. If youre going to accuse me of cheating over something like this, then maybe theres no point in us staying together.
I slammed the diary shut.
From the rearview mirror, Chloes eyes met mine. Her fingers tapped a restless rhythm on the steering wheel. Youve lost weight, she said, her voice a little husky. Did anyone give you trouble in there?
It was a simple question, but it made my stomach turn.
I kept my head down. Thats none of your business, I mumbled.
I could feel her surprise. I suppose the Noah from the diary would never have spoken to her so harshly.
The car slowed, pulling into the garage of a large villa. I pushed the door open and stared up at the unfamiliar house.
This was my home.
The moment I stepped inside, my eyes met those of an elderly woman. Her gaze was sharp, severe. A chill of fear, mingled with a strange sense of grievance, washed over me. This must be the mother from the diary.
She walked toward me with a shuffling gait, as if to embrace me. But when her fingers brushed against my dust-caked shirt, she recoiled. I didnt miss the flash of disgust in her eyes.
Five years in prison, and youve forgotten how to call me Mom? she complained.
I opened my mouth, wanting to obey, but the sound wouldnt come out. My hands, hanging at my sides, began to tremble.
As I struggled for words, a familiar voice called down from the second floor.
Mom, is that my brother? Is he back?
Leos head appeared at the top of the stairs. His face lit up when he saw me, and he bounded down to greet me, throwing his arms around me in a tight hug.
Youre really back, brother. Thank you. For all these years, if you hadnt helped me
My skin crawled. His touch felt repulsive. I tried to push him away, but Chloe grabbed my hand. She squeezed my palm, her voice a low whisper in my ear.
What happened five years ago is in the past. Leo is your brother.
The tension drained out of me. I nodded, saying nothing. I was afraid that if I upset them, they would kick me out.
My compliance, however, didnt seem to please Chloe. She watched me with a deep frown.
My mother, on the other hand, looked satisfied. She took a handful of leaves from a nearby plant and began patting me down with them, muttering something under her breath. Go take a shower. Wash away all the bad luck from prison. From now on, youre still my good son.
As soon as she finished, Leo wrapped his arm around her shoulders in a playful, childish way. Mom, youre not going to forget about me now that my brother is back, are you?
My mother turned her full attention to him, her face breaking into a wide smile as she patted his head. I was suddenly an outsider in my own home.
I went to the bathroom and clumsily peeled off my sticky, sweat-soaked clothes.
What happened to you? What are those scars?
The sudden voice made me jump. I turned to see Chloe leaning against the doorframe. I followed her gaze down to the ugly, jagged scars that littered my body.
I dont remember, I said stiffly.
My curtness only seemed to annoy her more. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to be patient. If youre unhappy about something, take it out on me. Dont cause trouble for Leo. You know how much Mom dotes on him, and she has a heart condition. If you upset her
Okay, I cut her off. I wont.
Her lips trembled, the lecture she had prepared dying in her throat. Noah, you were never like this before.
I closed the bathroom door and stared at my reflection in the mirror.
What was I like before?
When I came out, they were already seated at the dining table. A feast was spread out before them. I gripped my chopsticks and began to shovel food into my mouth, my hands shaking so badly that rice scattered across the table.
My mother frowned in disgust. No ones going to take it from you. Didnt they feed you in prison?
Just then, Leo placed a large helping of cilantro in my bowl. Brother, dont just eat the meat.
Chloes mouth opened, as if to say something. But before she could, I had already eaten every last bit of the cilantro.
She snatched my bowl away and threw it aside, her face a mask of fury. Are you allergic to cilantro or not? Are you trying to kill yourself?
I was baffled. I had no memory of any allergy.
Leo looked hurt. I forgot he couldnt eat it, he mumbled. Dont be mad, Chloe.
My mother quickly smoothed things over. Its fine. A little cilantro wont kill him. See? Hes perfectly fine.
I lowered my head, scratching at the red welts already forming on the back of my hand, and said nothing. I could feel Chloes complicated gaze fixed on me.
Noah, she said suddenly, lets go get remarried in a few days.
The table fell silent. I saw Leos expression darken.
Okay, I agreed.
After all, the diary said I had to remarry her to get the money.
A week later, Chloe drove me to City Hall. She glanced at the crooked tie around my neck and sighed. When she reached out to fix it, I pulled away.
I can do it myself. Dont worry about it
She froze, her hand hovering in the air. I always used to tie it for you. You cant even manage a proper Windsor knot.
My hands were clumsy, shaking uncontrollably. Finally, in frustration, I ripped the tie off and threw it on the floor of the car. Chloe tried to help several more times, but I refused to let her touch me.
Her face grew colder and colder until finally, with a stony expression, she started the car.
Let me be clear, Noah, she said, her voice clipped. Even if we remarry, you will not interfere in my life. And Leo is your brother. Stop trying to bully him. Also, about five years ago
She paused, a flicker of guilt in her eyes. Mom and I we were wrong. But from now on, we are never to speak of it again. I dont want Leo to live with that guilt forever.
I didnt remember any of the things she was talking about. I just agreed. All I had to do was be obedient. But my meekness only seemed to make her more agitated.
We pulled up to City Hall. Before I could even step out of the car, another vehicle screeched to a halt behind us.
Leo jumped out and ran to block Chloes path, his eyes locked on hers. Are you really going to remarry him? He has a mans death on his conscience. Do you have any idea what remarrying him will do to your career?
He shot a venomous look in my direction. A sudden chill went through me, and the world around me seemed to go silent.
Leo, you know what happened five years ago
Five years ago.
Leo had wanted to be a doctor. My mother, without a second thought, had pulled strings to get him a position at my private hospital.
During a surgery where I was the lead and he was my assistant, he had made a catastrophic error. While I wasn't looking, he accidentally left a scalpel inside the patient during closing.
Less than an hour after the surgery, the patient was dead. His family, overcome with grief, jumped from the roof of the hospital.
It was a massive scandal. And my mothers first instinct was to have me take the blame.
Noah, youre the older brother. Just help him this one time, she had pleaded. Hes finally found something he loves. We cant let this ruin his life. Hes still so young. She had sobbed, clutching my hand.
But what about my life, Mom? A prison sentence will destroy me.
My protests meant nothing to them. Even Chloe defended him. She had looked at me with cold, rational eyes. Noah, listen to your mother. Its just a few years. Ill make arrangements. You wont suffer in there. As soon as youre out, Ill bring you home.
I had stared at the woman I had loved my entire life, and my world had tilted on its axis. No, I had said. He made the mistake. Why should I pay for it with my future?
When I refused, Leo had dropped to his knees. Brother, Im begging you! Just this once. The company, the inheritance I wont fight you for any of it. I just I dont want to go to prison.
He pleaded with me as if I were the one condemning him.
The two women I loved most in the world, my mother and my wife, had eyes only for him.
They sent me to prison. Chloe divorced me. She told me that when I got out, it would all be over. They never looked back.
And so, I carried the weight of their crime. The weight of two deaths.
Prison was not easy, as Chloe had promised. It was hell. The beatings were a daily occurrence. They knocked out my teeth, pulled out my fingernails, broke my ribs. The warden, who had clearly been bribed, would only call for a doctor when I was on the brink of death. As soon as I was patched up, I became their punching bag again.
I endured this for five years.
A cold wind made me shiver.
Leo was still arguing with Chloe. I knew her promise to remarry me was just an empty gesture. And I didn't need it anyway.
Lets not get remarried, I said, my voice muffled.
Chloes body went rigid. She spun around to face me. What did you say?
I said, lets not. Just give me the money. We dont have to get remarried.
I was letting her be with him. It was a kindness.
Chloes face turned ugly. Noah, youll regret this.
We parted on bad terms. For days, I didn't see her. I was alone in the vast, empty villa.
I sat on the sofa for a long time. When I finally stood up, the room felt completely alien. I couldn't remember what I had been about to do. I couldn't even remember what had happened a second ago. My mind was a terrifying blank.
Then I heard the sound of someone rummaging through things upstairs. I followed the noise.
A man I didnt recognize was holding my diary.
That diary was important to me. I lunged for it, but he dodged me easily. He held up the book, his laughter dripping with contempt, and began to read aloud.
Go home, get the money, and then die? Noah, when did you get so sentimental? Do you really think Mom and Chloe will feel sorry for you now?
He flipped through the pages, scoffing. Youre still hung up on this? You actually wrote it all down? He pointed to the heavily underlined text, the evidence of the crime I had been framed for.
Give it back, I rasped.
When I reached for it again, he tore the diary to shreds in front of my eyes.
You think these little notes are going to save you? Evidence requires facts, Noah. Its been years. To the world, youre a murderer. And youll carry that for me for the rest of your life.
His words hammered at me. My hand shot out.
Before he could react, I shoved him.
He tumbled down the stairs.
There was a sickening thud. Blood pooled under his head.
At that exact moment, the front door opened.
A womans scream ripped through the air.
A sharp pain exploded across my face. The younger woman, Chloe, had slapped me with all her strength. You tried to kill him? I actually thought you had learned your lesson.
The older woman, my mother, grabbed my throat, her voice a guttural roar. Why did you do it! Youre just like your worthless, cheating father! Why dont you just die! Why did I ever give birth to you!
Get out!
I stood there, frozen, staring at the scattered pieces of my diary on the floor.
I held out my hand. Give me the money. Ill leave now.
A cold bank card hit my face.
Neither of them looked at me again.
I had a disease, an incurable one. But with money, I could at least die with dignity.
That was the only thing I remembered now.
I left that house. Behind me, the house grew smaller and smaller, and with each step, I walked closer to my own death.

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