Chapter 1

The wedding dress, freshly tailored to my measurements, was sent off to Fawn Lewis on Max Siegel, my fiancé’s orders.

He cupped my face gently, his voice lowered into something soft yet careful.

“Kate, don’t be afraid. This pill will make you forget you love me, but it’s only temporary. Once you take the antidote, you won’t remember anything that happens over the next few days. There will be no pain or sadness. We’ll go back to the way we were.

“I swear, you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved. Once Fawn’s wish is fulfilled, I’ll give you a wedding even grander than we planned.”

He sounded sincere, but I knew that we would never have that wedding. That was because I created the pill myself, and there was no antidote.

The drug couldn’t wipe memories in an instant. Instead, it would slowly erase what the heart held most dear until it vanished, leaving nothing behind. Worst of all, it was permanent.

I looked up at Max, the man still clinging to his fantasy that everyone could be happy.

“What if I never remember again?” I asked.

He smiled confidently and kissed the tip of my nose. “Then I’ll make you fall in love with me all over again.

“Alright, sweetheart, don’t be upset. Fawn is just a dying patient. I’m only doing this to fulfill her final wish. You understand, right?”

‘Fall in love again?’ I thought as I looked down, a bitter smile tugging at my lips.

He had probably forgotten how long it took him to pursue me before I finally agreed to be with him. Most importantly, he had forgotten what I told him the night I said yes.

“Max, I don’t give second chances. If one day your love is shared or becomes tainted in any way, I won’t hesitate to erase you from my life.”

He had grabbed me back then, eyes bloodshot like a beast pushed into a corner, and kissed me so fiercely. His voice had been hoarse and desperate.

“I’d never give you a reason to forget me, Kate. Never.”

Ironically, he had now given my dress to fulfill his stepsister’s dream and personally handed me the pill to forget everything about us.

The bitterness hit hard, and my chest tightened so suddenly that the color drained from my face.

Noticing immediately, Max rushed to hold me up.

He asked with concern, “Baby, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me like this. I swear I’m not abandoning you. If you’re that worried, we can register our marriage first.”

I forced myself to stand straight and, through the daze, asked, “Marriage registration? Who… Who am I marrying?”

His eyes widened. Then, to my horror, joy flickered in them.

“No one. You’re not getting married,” he said quickly. “Kate, I’m your brother. You’ve been sick, and you lost some of your memories.”

I followed his gaze and saw the pill box he’d hastily thrown into the trash. That was when I realized that the drug was working, and the first thing it erased was the wedding I had been waiting for my entire life.

Now, Max believed I remembered nothing, and he was already switching my role with Fawn’s. However, I didn’t call him out. I’d let him play his game and let it be the final gift I give him before we end for good.

Just then, a figure in a white gown came stumbling in.

“Honey, do I look pretty?” Fawn beamed.

The gown had been tailored for my height, so it dragged awkwardly on her. She tripped on the hem, and Max, without thinking, let go of me to catch her.

I slammed into the wall behind me, pain stabbing through my already aching chest.

“Kate, are you okay?” He turned to me at the sound of my gasp and explained out of habit, “She’s sick. That’s the only reason I caught her first–”

“You'll be my husband. Of course, you should protect me first,” Fawn interrupted with a sweet, smug smile as she clung onto Max’s arm as if she was declaring her superiority. “Kate doesn’t mind. Right?”

I steadied myself and forced a smile. “Of course not.”

Fawn beamed with satisfaction. “Then you must come to the wedding in three days. You have to witness our marriage…”

Before I could answer, Max’s face darkened.

“You're not feeling well. You don’t need to attend.”

His eyes returned to me, and Fawn noticed. Her smile faltered, and a shadow flickered in her expression before she softened it into a tearful pout.

“Max, all I wanted was Kate’s blessing on our wedding day. Was that too much to ask? If even that’s too much, maybe I should just die now.”

Just like that, his protective instincts kicked in again. He pulled her into his arms.

“Don’t cry. I’ll give you everything.”

As I stared at them, Max cleared his throat awkwardly and maybe looked a little guilty. However, when he remembered I was supposed to be the amnesiac now, his expression relaxed.

“Kate,” he said softly, “I’m taking Fawn to the hospital for a check-up. Stay home and rest. I’ll send someone to pick you up on the wedding day.”

With that, he left, carrying Fawn out the door. Their overlapping silhouettes vanished through the doorway, like a blade slicing deep into my heart.

My hands trembled. The memories of us and our love started fading, clouded by pain.

Then, my phone rang.

“Kate,” said the voice on the other end. “Thank you for rejoining Historia’s Research Institute. We look forward to welcoming you in three days.”