Chapter 3

That kiss felt like a poisoned needle stabbing directly into my chest.

Back when this all started, Chloe had sworn to God that she would keep her distance from Zach.

In front of me, she used to avoid him as much as possible.

But I didn't know when it started—she had become so comfortable, so natural, with being physical with my boyfriend.

"I know you care about me," Chloe said softly. "But let's talk about this later. It's not that easy to find a good apartment right now."

Zach was already prepared. "I had a friend look at two places last week."

"They're close to our place, and very close to her office."

Chloe had no choice but to agree. "Fine. I'll talk to Nora when she gets back."

My eyes burned with tears. I forced them back and looked around the apartment.

I looked at every corner of this condo—a home I had designed and decorated piece by piece for our future wedding.

After Zach's accident, my status changed from the owner of this house to a mere guest.

All of my belongings had been packed up and shoved into the tiny guest room.

In just six months, Chloe had completely erased every trace of my life here.

And now, Zach wanted me to pack my bags and get out.

The sound of their laughter drifting from the kitchen made my ears ache.

I took a deep breath, turned around, and quietly slipped out the front door.

I didn't go back to the office.

Instead, holding onto the absolute last shred of hope, I went to the hospital.

What if that Reddit post wasn't Zach?

What if he really hadn't recovered his memory?

What if his feelings for Chloe were just a mistake because his brain confused her with me?

"Zach Miller?"

Dr. Carter finally found his name in a thick stack of medical files.

"Oh, yes. I called him three months ago for a follow-up. He told me he had completely recovered his memory."

"I remember it was right around Thanksgiving."

"I even congratulated him on getting his memory back just in time for the holidays."

I froze.

On Thanksgiving, Chloe's parents came to visit.

Zach had personally driven to the airport, picked them up, and played the most polite, welcoming host.

That exact same day, my parents flew into the city with heavy bags, excited to see us.

But Zach claimed he didn't recognize them. He literally had the building security kick my parents out of the lobby.

It was only then, when I couldn't hide it anymore, that I had to tell my parents that Zach had lost his memory in a car crash.

My mom had sighed and comforted me: "As long as he's alive, that's what matters. The doctor said it's just a matter of time."

But back then, Zach already had his memory.

He knew he wasn't Chloe's boyfriend.

He knew damn well that I was the woman who had loved him for four years, the woman he was supposed to marry.

Yet, he still chose to welcome Chloe's parents and throw mine out onto the street.

He was fully prepared to play the "amnesia" card for the rest of his life.

Seeing me spacing out, Dr. Carter asked with concern, "Is something wrong? Is he having complications?"

I shook my head, my voice hollow. "No. I was just checking. I was worried the blood clot in his brain hadn't fully dissolved."

Dr. Carter smiled. "Don't worry. His scan was completely clear."

"He is 100% recovered. It won't affect your wedding plans at all."

"And it certainly won't affect your love life."

Six months ago, Zach was in a coma for a week.

I took a leave of absence from work and stayed by his bedside for seven days straight without sleeping.

But the one time I went downstairs to pay the medical bills and asked Chloe to watch him for just ten minutes...

Zach woke up.

No matter how much I explained, he insisted Chloe was his girlfriend.

Back then, Dr. Carter had told me that because of the trauma, his brain couldn't handle any sudden shock.

"I know you love him, and I know you guys are getting married," the doctor had told me then. "But give it three months. He will recover. It won't ruin your wedding."

Who would have thought that life could be this cruel?

Our wedding was never going to happen.