Chapter 2

I was stunned, and only after Stella pointed it out did I find those nasty messages on my phone.

I was shocked, but strangely enough, I didn't feel hurt at all.

Maybe I was acting way too calm, because Stella kept trying to drag me to the hospital to make sure something was not wrong with me.

With no other choice, I had to spill everything. "Actually, I—"

"What? You forgot everything after you turned eighteen?" Stella gasped.

I just remembered my bestie's name was Stella Lewis. We met in college and had been close ever since. She was one of my bridesmaids when I got married.

I felt bad about forgetting her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to forget you, but being with you feels so easy and comfortable. I feel like I can tell you anything. I feel closer to you than I do to my husband."

That seemed to reassure her. She relaxed and sat back down. "Fine. And honestly, other than meeting me, you haven't had that many good things happen to you these past few years.

"If you've forgotten it all, then whatever. It's not like you missed anything important."

I nodded repeatedly. "I found some graduate school stuff online, and I realized I still remember what I learned in college. It's like all that's left in my head is knowledge.

"Stella, I want to take this opportunity and get into grad school as soon as I can."

"But Evelyn's got her eyes on Charles. If you go for grad school now, aren't you letting her have Charles and Jason?" Stella looked at me, worried I was acting on impulse.

I smiled. "Right now, Charles and Jason are basically strangers to me. I don't care who they spend time with or what they do. Stella, I have one goal right now. I want to go to grad school and study at Caverton University in Ashford.

"I also checked my bank accounts. If I'm careful with my money, I can buy a small place in Ashford and live comfortably for the rest of my life. Why should I waste my time here?"

Stella was almost in tears, holding my hand tight. "Girl, I'm gonna cry. Honestly, this whole memory-loss thing might be the best thing that ever happened to you."

*****

After we finished our coffee, Stella came with me to the law firm to draft a divorce agreement.

I had no clue if Charles would sign it, but I figured it couldn't hurt to bring it home and give it a shot. After that, we went shopping for a couple of outfits and headed back.

As I reached the front door, I heard laughter coming from inside. "Ms. Carter, you're incredible."

Evelyn said, "Jason, this game is super easy. I'll show you how to do it. Use your ability here, and nobody can hit you."

"Oh my gosh, that's awesome. Ms. Carter, you should stay at our place and be my mom. I want to play games with you every day."

Hearing Jason say that made my heart ache, even though I had no memories of him at all.

It was an instinctive reaction.

It seemed that I couldn't completely detach myself from the child I had given birth to.

Luckily, I had lost all my memories. The pain passed almost as quickly as it came.

I pushed open the door and walked in, and the laughter instantly died.

"Why are you back?" Jason glared at me, like he was staring at an enemy, not his mom.

I smiled. "This is my house. Why wouldn't I come back?"

Evelyn quickly stood up, trying to smooth things over. "Sorry, Mrs. Ford. Jason asked me to come over and play for a bit, so I stayed. I'll leave right now."

She grabbed her bag and started to leave.

However, before she could walk out of the room, Charles's voice came from behind me. "Evelyn, where are you going?"

Charles walked in, holding a fancy takeout box from that sushi restaurant. "I brought your favorite sushi from that place you love. Let's eat together."

Charles's voice was so gentle, and he looked different from the man I remembered seeing in our wedding photos.

I finally understood. I was the one standing where I no longer belonged.

I picked up my things and turned to head back to the second floor, but Evelyn rushed over, grabbed my hand, and bowed. "Mrs. Ford, please, I swear I didn't mean anything by it. Don't get the wrong idea.

"I was playing games with Jason for a bit. Please, don't report me. I already sent you the money you asked for last time, and I've maxed out all my online loans. I seriously don't have a dime left.

"If you don't want me here, I'll leave right now. I swear you'll never see me around Charles or Jason ever again."

"Mia, what did you do to Evelyn?" Charles growled, grinding his teeth.

He put the takeout down, but before he could say anything else, Jason rushed at me and knocked me to the floor.

He yelled, "Bad Mom. Why did you kick Ms. Carter out? And why are you demanding money from her? You're a terrible person. I don't want you to be my mom anymore. I want Ms. Carter."

If I still remembered everything, I probably would have been devastated.

Thankfully, I had forgotten.

'I had no clue if Evelyn was telling the truth or not, but when Jason knocked me down, I caught an unmistakable smirk on her face.

Something told me most of it was made up.

Still, Jason and Charles had no intention of listening to me. And even if they did, what could I possibly explain when I didn't remember any of it? Maybe it was better to let them believe I had done it and go with the story.