Chapter 1

"Don't touch me! Who even are you? Never seen a man before? Throwing yourself at me like that!" Lawrence Henwood snapped, shoving me away with a look of disdain.

I stumbled and nearly fell.

"Lawrence, what's wrong with you? It's me, your wife—Nadine Coolidge," I replied, my voice trembling.

I stared, confused, at my husband, who lay in the hospital bed.

"Wife? I don't know you at all! The first person I saw when I woke up was Sophie. If I'm married to anyone, it's her—not you!" Lawrence exclaimed, pulling Sophie into his arms and holding her tightly.

The love shining in his eyes pierced my heart.

The man who had once promised to love me had forgotten me—and now, he wanted to marry another woman?

"Nadine, Mr. Henwood accidentally hit his head. The doctor said he has amnesia and doesn't remember anything—except me," Sophie said, lowering her head shyly.

However, the smugness in her eyes was impossible to miss.

Fighting back the ache in my chest, I spoke coldly. "It's just temporary amnesia. With proper treatment, he'll recover in time."

I had heard rumors about Lawrence and his assistant, Sophie Lucy.

She had just graduated from university this year. Her looks weren't extraordinary, but she was young and bore a passing resemblance to the woman Lawrence had once loved, who was now abroad.

Since she had joined the Henwood Group, his favoritism had been obvious to all.

I had confronted him about it before, but he denied everything, insisting I was overthinking things and that I was the only one in his heart.

Now, with his memory gone, he had forgotten me.

"Nadine, is it? I don't remember you, but I do remember Sophie. Clearly, she's the one I truly love.

"There's no point in forcing this. Let's get a divorce and set each other free," Lawrence said, his tone filled with annoyance.

For a brief moment, I thought I saw a flicker of guilt in his eyes. Maybe I was mistaken.

I refused to believe that the man who had pursued me for three years and spoiled me for six would abandon me so easily.

"Lawrence, you're just confused right now. Don't worry. I'll arrange for the best medical team to help you. You'll be fine," I reassured him.

"You don't get it, do you? I can't stand the sight of you. There's no way I'd ever want to stay married to you." Lawrence's rejection was sharp, his disdain palpable.

"Nadine, Mr. Henwood doesn't love you anymore. Why cling to him like this? Isn't it embarrassing?" Sophie chimed in, her voice soft but dripping with condescension.

Fury surged through me.

"Shut up! If it weren't for you, he wouldn't have had the accident! I haven't even begun to hold you accountable!" I snapped.

"Don't you dare speak to Sophie that way!" Lawrence scolded, pulling her protectively into his arms. "I don't love you anymore. You should reflect on yourself instead of blaming others."

"Lawrence, today is our fifth wedding anniversary. You promised me you'd spend it with me. But then she called, and you left—and had the accident. And now I can't even say anything to her?" I demanded, my voice breaking.

His unwavering defense of Sophie felt like a dagger to my heart.

"Lawrence, don't be angry. Nadine is just worried about you. I understand why she's upset," Sophie said, her tone soothing. "Nadine, I'm ill. I might not have long left. My only wish is to marry someone I love. Please, do us a favor and let us be together."

Her tears fell like pearls from a broken string as she pleaded, a picture of frailty and innocence.

"Sophie, don't beg her," Lawrence said, then turned to me. "Nadine, meet me at the courthouse tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. If you don't, we'll take legal action. Get out—I don't want to see you for another second!"

With that, he shoved me out of the ward.

"Lawrence, you've only forgotten me temporarily. I'll get experts to treat you. Once you remember, you'll regret everything you've said today," I said with confidence, though it was as much to myself as to him.

However, I never expected it was all a lie.