Chapter 1

The moment my words fell, Ethan Meyer's expression darkened, then a flicker of excitement crept in.

Without another word, he dragged Grayson Hudson out of the hospital room.

I followed quietly behind them and heard him whisper at the stairwell.

"Grayson, I'm begging you—help me put on a show! Pretend to be Lisa's fiancé. Just cover for me until the engagement ceremony. It's only a month. It'll go by quickly. Please!"

His tone was matter-of-fact, even laced with a hint of impatient indulgence.

"During this time, I want to be with Sarah… enjoy myself before the wedding."

Grayson didn't respond. He simply stared at him, brows drawn tight.

After a long moment of silence, he finally agreed.

I lowered my head, a wave of bitterness rising in my chest, and slipped quietly back to my room.

My injuries weren't severe. By the afternoon, after completing the discharge procedures, Grayson drove me home.

Inside the confined space of the car, an unfamiliar presence slowly pressed in around me.

My body tensed. I picked at my nails, my palms damp with sweat.

Grayson held the steering wheel steadily, his gaze flickering toward me from time to time—intense, almost burning.

The instant our eyes met, I hurriedly turned to look out the window.

The light turned red, and the car came to a slow stop.

He looked at me and handed over a tissue.

"Lisa… have you really forgotten everything?"

I didn't answer. I simply nodded.

Suddenly, he leaned closer and took my hand, holding it firmly.

"It's okay if you've forgotten me. I'll help you remember—little by little."

I looked up and met his gentle gaze. My stiff body began to relax without me realizing it.

Back at the villa, after taking my medication, he settled me into a guest room to rest.

Before turning off the lights, Grayson pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

"I'll be right next door. Call me if you need anything."

I slept deeply, more soundly than I had in a long time.

When I woke again, it was already the middle of the night.

Thirsty, I got up and went downstairs for water—only to see Ethan had come over under the pretense of picking something up.

He lowered his voice, his tone pleading.

"Grayson, remember to make it convincing. Don't let Lisa see through it."

Grayson's voice carried a clear edge of displeasure.

"If Sarah is all you care about, why not break off the engagement and marry her? Is it fair to treat a woman who loves you like this?"

Ethan lit a cigarette and propped his foot on the coffee table.

"What do you know? I'm the eldest son of the Meyer family. Sarah comes from nothing—how could she possibly be worthy of me? If we're talking about becoming Mrs. Meyer, Lisa is the better choice."

Grayson seemed at a loss for words.

"Aren't you afraid that if Lisa regains her memory, she'll leave you for good?"

He let out a scoff, his voice certain.

"She loves me so much. When the time comes, a little coaxing and she'll come right back."

Leaning against the doorway, I felt as though my heart were being pierced over and over by fine steel needles—rage and pain twisting together.

So this was what I meant to him. A woman he could manipulate at will.

I wiped away my tears and steadied my voice.

"Darling."

The living room fell deathly silent.

Ethan spun around, his face draining of color. He thought I had overheard everything and rushed to explain.

But I walked straight past him and threw myself into Grayson's arms. I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist, my voice trembling.

"Darling, why are you here? I just had a nightmare… I was so scared…"

Grayson stiffened slightly, then gently raised a hand to stroke my back.

We stood there in an embrace—looking, to any outsider, like a deeply devoted couple.

But to Ethan, the sight darkened his expression instantly. He opened his mouth to speak, only to be silenced by a glance from Grayson.

Grayson guided me to the sofa, then got up to pour me some water. He cut fruit into small pieces and fed them to me.

Afterward, he brought over a blanket and draped it carefully around me.

Every movement was gentle and attentive, as if afraid the slightest misstep might make me uncomfortable.

All the tenderness I had longed for countless times—yet never received from Ethan—was now being given to me by the man before me.

Warmth mingled with bitterness, quietly surging in my chest. And yet, the kinder he was, the deeper my confusion grew.

The Grayson I once knew had always been distant and indifferent toward me—even openly resistant. I didn't even know when I had offended him.

But now, the care and gentleness he showed me felt nothing like someone who disliked me.

Even in an act, a person's eyes can't lie.

So what exactly was going on?