Chapter 2

"Sonia, come on, for the sake of our friendship, just look after Colin for a bit. I know I was wrong, but Wayne and I have been together for so long. He just wants a wedding."

"Janice, once Colin regains his memory, he'll break up with you."

Janice snapped over the line, "No way! Everyone knows Colin only loves me! The wedding with Wayne is just for show. Colin will understand! I love him too, and I will marry him."

Sonia snorted derisively and hung up.

I gripped the door handle tightly as a dull pain radiated through my chest, making my eyes sting.

I couldn't believe it. The woman I'd loved with all my heart had been playing with my feelings like they meant nothing. All those vows she'd made, swearing that she only loved me, were lies.

Sonia's voice came from the study again. "I've sent you the recording. Find out how the car accident happened. I want answers by this afternoon."

I froze, still trying to process what I'd just heard, when the study door swung open.

Sonia looked as calm as ever. She took my hand and asked gently, "Can't sleep? Perfect timing. The food I ordered for you just arrived. Want some?"

She led me to the couch and slowly opened the takeout boxes.

The familiar, subtle aroma reached me, and only then did I notice the food in front of me. It was my favorite comfort food. I hadn't had it in ages.

Unlike me, Janice preferred heavy, bold flavors. No matter whether we ate at home or dined out, she never chose light, simple dishes.

Sonia noticed that I hadn't touched my food and turned toward me. "What's wrong? I thought this was your favorite restaurant."

"You remember?"

We'd known each other for years, but our relationship had always been tense. Even Janice didn't know my preferences, so how could Sonia?

Sonia smirked, sounding strangely proud. "Of course I remember. I can even make many of your favorite dishes. I just didn't have time today. But next time, I'll cook for you."

I ate a few bites in silence. I couldn't deny that, despite everything, my mood improved momentarily, and I almost felt soothed.

After the meal, Sonia insisted on taking me back to the bedroom.

She leaned against me and held my hand. "Go to sleep soon. The more you rest, the faster you'll recover."

As her breathing grew slow and steady, I gently slipped free and tiptoed into the study.

The computer screen was otherwise empty, except for a single chat window. Just then, the other person sent a document.

The thought of Sonia's request to investigate the car accident made my heart skip a beat.

I opened the file. More than a dozen photos of Janice and Wayne stared back at me. Spanning their early years to adulthood, seven years of their secret lives were laid bare before me.

My breath hitched, but I clenched my jaw and continued scrolling. At that moment, the truth behind the car accident dawned on me.

Janice and Wayne had bribed the driver to wait along the path I usually took. They'd just wanted to hurt me enough to land me in the hospital.

Then, while I was bedridden, they could quietly hold their wedding. By pretending to have lost my memory, I'd unknowingly played right into their hands.

A soft fragrance drifted from behind me.

"You saw everything?"

My back stiffened instantly. I turned my head slowly, and there Sonia was, watching me knowingly.

"You knew that I didn't actually lose my memory?" I asked.

Sonia let out a chuckle. "I only suspected as much. So you were really pretending. Now that you know everything, what are you going to do?"

Her gaze grew sharper, piercing right through me as if she could read my thoughts.

I stayed silent for a moment, then asked, "Are you into me?"

This time, Sonia froze.

As I stared at her, her cheeks flushed crimson, and her eyes darted away. Finally, she couldn't hold herself back.

"So what if I am? You were blind to treat Janice like she was a treasure! I warned you she's not trustworthy, but you didn't believe me. You even accused me of having ulterior motives!"

The composed, elegant Sonia from before was gone. She looked like an embarrassed, angry little girl.

I suddenly remembered that Janice, Sonia, and I had all met around the same time, but I'd fallen hopelessly for Janice.