Chapter 1

After Charles Bennett and Emily Lane had been caught in the act by me, Charles chased after my car and crashed into the guardrail.

When he woke up, he didn't recognize anyone.

He clutched my sleeve, begging me not to leave.

"Sophie, don't go," he pleaded.

The doctor said his brain injury was severe, and he might never fully recover. But somehow, he still remembered me.

Everyone tried to persuade me, saying that he was hopelessly in love with me.

"Look, he's almost forgotten who he is, but he still remembers you."

"Sophie, if that's not love, what is it?"

I was at a loss, unconsciously bending the hotel keycard in my bag.

I wouldn't let Charles get anywhere near me, and I definitely wouldn't let him use "I forgot" as an excuse to touch my stuff.

That night at the class reunion, I stood outside the door and overheard him laughing and joking with his friends.

"Charlie, that's a slick move to fake amnesia and keep Sophie close by," one of them said.

Charles swirled his wine around in the glass and proudly showed off. "Sophie's great in every way, except she can't stand Emily. Once she learns to give in, I'll make it up to her."

Then, there were continuous laughs from inside.

Outside, I gripped my medical report so tight that the edge was dug into my hand.

Charles, you played it so well.

But I was almost unable to remember you.

*****

I stood frozen outside, with the teasing voices from inside echoing in my ears.

"Charles, that's a perfect move. Sophie always falls for it when you play the victim card," Emily said.

Charles chuckled, "I know her inside out. She can't help but go easy on me.

"As long as she still cares about me, she'll never actually leave me."

Someone lowered their voice. "Aren't you worried she'll find out and keep causing trouble?"

"Em's not in good health. She can't take any stress." Charles's tone became a little subdued. "Sophie is different. She's been through hell with me, so she's tougher than anyone else."

I folded up the medical report and stuffed it back into my bag.

The bag wasn't closed properly, so a pill bottle rolled out and bumped against the door.

The room went quiet, and someone opened the door.

Charles was standing right behind it, his smile still lingering on his face.

For a split second, he froze, and then quickly pressed a hand to his forehead.

"Sophie?" he called out. He took a step closer, with his voice dropping to a whisper. "Why am I here? Don't leave me. My head hurts."

Emily stepped out from behind him, with her eyes red. "Sophie, please don't take it the wrong way. Charles just wants you to stop running away from him."

I bent down to pick up the pill bottle. As my fingers brushed the bottle, I suddenly couldn't remember where I was supposed to put it. Was it supposed to go in my bag, my pocket, or my jacket?

I stared at the label, but no matter how long I looked, I couldn't figure out what it said.

Charles reached out, trying to take the bottle from me. I took a step back. "Don't touch it."

His hand hung awkwardly in the air.

The classmates nearby started trying to persuade me.

"Sophie, come on, that's enough. Charles has lost memory, and you're still holding a grudge?"

"Emily's not trying to take your spot. She's not having it easy either."

"Guys make mistakes sometimes. Charles needs you to give him a way out."

I looked up at Charles. "You really don't remember Emily?"

Charles pressed his fingers to his forehead and said, "No, I don't".

Emily bit her lip. "Please, don't be like this, Sophie. There's nothing between Charles and me."

Charles instinctively turned his head. The whole room went quiet for a moment, and Charles's hand froze in midair.

Emily's face fell.

I put the pill bottle back in my bag and snapped it shut.

Charles frowned. "Sophie, I..." His lips tightened.

His friends quickly tried to smooth things over. "She's not in a good mood right now. Give her some time."

Emily chimed in, "Sophie, if you want, I can leave here. I never tried to replace you." She cried as she spoke. "But when Charles woke up, the first person he cared about was you. Even though it hurt, I was happy for you."

Charles's face darkened. "Sophie, Emily's already been through enough."

"Yeah." I nodded. My voice was so quiet that it made him freeze for a second.

In the past, I would've argued, asked questions, stared him down until he gave me an answer.

But that day, I just walked around them and headed outside.

The hallway lights were blinding.

When I got to the elevator, I suddenly couldn't remember whether I'd already pressed the button. My finger hovered over the button, my mind going blank for a second.

Charles rushed out after me and grabbed my wrist. "What's your problem now?"

I looked down at his hand. That hand had once shielded me from broken glass, and it had also pressed a dent into Emily's hotel keycard.

"Let go of me," I said.

He didn't move. "How much did you hear?"

I looked up at him. "Enough."

He furrowed his brows, lowering his voice. "Sophie, I did all this to see if you still cared about me.

"Emily once saved me. Without her, I wouldn't make it.

"But the only person I've ever wanted to marry is you."

I smile bitterly. "Am I supposed to thank you for that?"

His expression soured. "Cut the sarcasm."

"I'm too tired for this," I said.

The elevator doors slid open.

I pulled my hand away. Charles stood there, not coming after me.

Right before the doors closed, Emily rushed over to him and called out softly, "Charles, did I upset Sophie again?"

Charles reached out and gently wiped away her tears. "It's not your fault."

The doors slid shut completely.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the elevator's reflective doors, and noticed my lips were still curved in a smile.

My phone rang. The caller ID showed the hospital.

The voice on the line was gentle. "Ms. Hart, you left your follow-up report here last time. You'll have to come in person to pick it up."

I held my phone tight.

"I'm coming now," I said.

The line went quiet for a moment. "You'd better bring someone close to you."

I watched the floor numbers flicker in the elevator.

"No need," I said. "I don't have anyone left."