Chapter 2

During the family dinner, Vivian sat right next to Jerome.

Jerome's mother, Karen Lopez, asked Jerome if his memory was getting any better.

Jerome just skirted around the question, never giving a straight answer.

With a smile tugging at her lips, Vivian poured a glass of wine for Jerome.

Under the table, I saw Vivian's high heel teasing Jerome's leg. At first, he tried to pull away, but soon he leaned into it, playing along.

Karen frowned and gave Jerome's leg a little kick.

With a gentle smile, she moved the bell peppers near me. "Delia, you've lost so much weight lately, and your hand is still hurt. Bell peppers are good for your recovery."

Just as I was about to take a bite, Jerome took the peppers away. "Mom, she doesn't like these."

The first time Jerome ever cooked for me, he made stir-fried bell peppers. Just the smell of them made me want to puke.

He dumped the whole plate right in front of me and even made a note in his phone: [Delia hates bell peppers.]

Karen's face lit up. "Jerome, does this mean your memory's coming back?"

Jerome realized he'd let something slip and glanced over at me. "I remember a few things."

I just kept my head down, eating the food, my face unreadable.

When Jerome didn't see the excitement he was hoping for, his foot slipped away from Vivian's under the table.

"The doctor said it won't be long before my memory comes back. Delia, does that make you happy?" he asked.

"Of course, I'm happy," I replied, just going through the motions.

He was faking amnesia and lying to me. Even after I gave him a chance to tell the truth, he kept lying to himself, and that was when I gave up on him for good.

After dinner, Jerome insisted on keeping me company.

In our hometown, it was a tradition to light candles all around the house at night.

Just as Jerome reached out to take some candles from me, his phone buzzed in his coat pocket.

Jerome put some distance between us before picking up the call, and once he hung up, he looked ready to head out.

But after a few steps, he came back; he had promised to keep me company tonight, after all.

"Delia, I'll be back soon. I'll get some fireworks and put on a show for you," he promised.

As I finished lighting the last candle, the night sky burst into a rainbow of fireworks, with my name lighting up the darkness.

Just then, Jerome came over. "Do you like it?" he asked.

Every year, he'd always light up the sky with fireworks just for me.

Before I could even let myself feel moved, that sharp, overpowering perfume on him hit me, making my chest tighten and stealing my breath.

Instinctively, I stepped back. I couldn't stand the smell of it. That was Vivian's favorite.

"Did you go see Vivian?" I demanded, my tone harsh, unable to hide my suspicion.

Jerome's smile froze on his face.

The fireworks kept getting brighter and wilder.

In the glow of the fireworks, I noticed a few hickeys on Jerome's face.

"If you already went to see her, what's the point of coming back?" I shot back, my voice sharp.

I couldn't hold my temper anymore. He used to be so good at cleaning up after his little affairs, but this time he was in such a rush that he didn't even bother to hide the evidence.

I shoved Jerome back, and he nearly stepped right onto the candle burning on the ground.

He got annoyed, raising his voice. "Delia, can you stop getting jealous over nothing?

"Vivian's just trying to help me get my memory back. She hurt her foot and needed some help. Should I just leave her alone?

"Don't forget. You were the one who agreed to let her help me with my memory training."

Jerome grabbed my arm, defending himself like he was completely in the right.

His grip on my injured arm sent a jolt of pain through me, and a wave of bitterness washed over me.

Yeah, I was the one who agreed. I was the one who basically pushed the other woman right into my husband's arms.

For a split second, I was too choked up to even say anything. The only thing I could do was let the tears fall, silent and unstoppable.