Strangers When We Meet Again

"Miss Winters, your brain tumor has deteriorated again. This time you won't fall into a prolonged coma like before, but it will affect your memory. In two months, you'll lose all your memories."

The doctor's voice carried a note of sympathy. "Have you told your husband about these test results?"

Isabella Winters’s head snapped up. "Please don't tell him."

The doctor was stunned. "Why not? Your husband is deeply devoted to you. During your five-year coma, he stayed by your bedside every day, caring for you personally... It's become quite the touching story here at our hospital."

Isabella didn't explain, simply insisting, "Just don't tell him about my test results."

Though puzzled, the doctor nodded.

As Isabella headed downstairs, Ethan Cross was just arriving at the hospital.

"Bella!" He hurried over, taking her hand. "Sorry I'm late—something came up at the company. Your checkup went fine, right?"

Isabella looked up, her gaze falling on the man's neck.

Fresh hickeys, clearly just made.

She looked away. "Everything's fine."

Ethan finally relaxed. "Good."

As Ethan led Isabella toward the hospital entrance, they discovered it was pouring rain.

The black Rolls-Royce sat under the covered area, but puddles dotted the ground everywhere.

Without hesitation, Ethan swept Isabella into his arms and carried her toward the car.

This gesture drew countless stares from people at the hospital entrance.

Several young women gasped in amazement.

"Wow! That man is so thoughtful—he's carrying her so she won't step in puddles!"

"And he's gorgeous too! Wait, isn't that Ethan Cross?"

"What? The AI professor from Avaloria National University? The one who just won the Distinguished Achievement Award?"

"Yes! And he owns multiple companies—he's on the young billionaires list!"

"Handsome, rich, and so devoted to his wife. She must have been a saint in her past life to land such an amazing husband!

Hearing these comments, Isabella lowered her eyes, her expression growing dim.

Once, she had also believed she was the luckiest woman alive to have found Ethan.

Seven years ago, when she was diagnosed with brain cancer and her body deteriorated, doctors declared she could never have children. Yet Ethan married her without hesitation.

Later, when her surgery failed and she fell into a coma for five years, Ethan never left her bedside.

After she awakened a month ago, he lavished attention on her as if she were made of glass, spoiling her beyond measure.

Until three days ago, when she went to Ethan's company and saw him pressing another woman against his office desk...

She knew that woman.

Sophie Shaw—a scholarship student she'd sponsored.

Sophie looked similar to her, which was why Isabella had chosen her from among many scholarship applicants and supported her through college.

Sophie had indeed excelled academically, earning admission to Avaloria National University's graduate program. Isabella had even arranged for Ethan to be her advisor.

But she never expected...

Isabella's lips curved in bitter irony.

The car soon arrived at their villa.

As Ethan helped Isabella out, they found someone already waiting by their front door.

Sophie stood under the eaves clutching a stack of papers, shivering in her white dress.

Isabella felt Ethan tense beside her.

"Sophie." His tone was stiff. "What are you doing here?"

Sophie gripped her papers tighter, her voice uncertain.

"Professor, I have some questions about my thesis that I wanted to ask you."

Ethan frowned. "You should ask me those questions at school, not come to my house. Go back—"

Seeing the torrential rain, he changed his mind.

"Never mind, it's pouring. Come inside."

He glanced at Isabella as if seeking her permission.

Isabella looked away indifferently, seeming to acquiesce.

Once inside, Isabella immediately went upstairs to rest.

But after tossing restlessly in bed, she couldn't resist creeping to Ethan's study door.

Inside, Ethan looked furious.

"Sophie, what the heck are you doing here? Are you trying to make sure Bella finds out about us?"

Sophie nearly burst into tears.

"I... I didn't... I know you only love Isabella..."

"I know I'm just a substitute. I've never wanted to come between you and her..."

Her utterly humble words instantly deflated Ethan's anger.

He rubbed his temples wearily. "So what exactly do you want?"

"I... I don't know..." Sophie bit her lip. "I just miss you so much... and my body feels strange."

"Strange?" Ethan frowned instinctively. "Are you sick?"

Sophie shook her head, eyes red.

"You used to be with me every day, but now that Isabella's suddenly awake, we only see each other every few days. I miss you, and my body..."

Sophie widened her innocent eyes, pulling his hand to her waist. "Don't you miss me too, Professor?"

Her naive words struck precisely at the man's most sensitive nerve.

Ethan's eyes darkened. Unable to restrain himself, he suddenly stood and pressed Sophie against the desk.

Crash!

Isabella heard papers scattering, followed by Sophie's gasp—

"Professor, Isabella's still upstairs."

Ethan's voice was already hoarse beyond recognition.

"Then keep quiet, you little harlot.”

Intimate sounds filtered through the door, soft and persistent.

Isabella finally couldn't take it anymore and ran to the bathroom, retching violently.

Though she'd known about their relationship.

Though this wasn't the first time she'd witnessed it.

She still felt sick to her core.

After what felt like forever, Isabella's phone buzzed.

She steadied herself and opened the message from her doctor—

[Miss Winters, we've discovered a new treatment that could preserve your memory, though it carries some risk. Would you like to consider it?]

Isabella replied almost without thinking.

[No. I accept forgetting everything forever.]

These nauseating memories...

Forgetting them would be perfect.