Chapter 2

I turned my back on my mentor's high expectations and abandoned my research in architectural history. I cut back on spending time with my family and friends, throwing myself entirely into her career and personal life.

For those eight years, she was my entire world. Yet, as soon as the company turned a profit and expanded, she dumped most of the high-pressure workload onto my shoulders.

Why? So she could free up her own schedule to fly overseas and meet up with her first love, David.

She always assumed I had no idea. But every time they met overseas, David made sure to message me intimate photos of the two of them.

[Phoebe and I can be together out in the open, while she keeps you hidden away in secret back home. It's crystal clear who the real outsider is.]

[She bought me a suit in the business style I love, matching her outfit to mine. Would she ever do that for you?]

Phoebe had never been willing to take photos with me or ever picked out a gift based on my tastes. My closet was packed with nothing but work-appropriate suits.

I had always thought she was simply hyper-focused on overseeing and managing the company. I never realized that everything I received was just whatever David didn't want.

After every one of their dates, David would post a love letter on social media.

[You are the miracle in my mundane life, my one true home in this vast crowd.]

[Meeting you again made me believe in forever.]

[Reunited once more. You're like the brightest star, illuminating my long, dark night.]

And every single photo featured his favorite dish: steak with red wine sauce.

His friends always assumed David and Phoebe were just in a long-distance relationship, flooding his comments with congratulations.

I let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh as my vision blurred with tears. If someone doesn't love you, no amount of effort will ever change that.

The doctor's voice spoke up beside me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Mr. Robertson, can we begin the procedure now?"

I let out a long sigh, wiped away the tear lingering at the corner of my eye, blocked Phoebe's number, and shut off my phone.

"I'm ready. Let's start."

'Phoebe, your scene in the story of my life has officially ended.

'From this moment on, there is no us.'

…

When I opened my eyes again, three days had passed, and I found myself in a hospital room.

After the nurse informed me that the hypnosis procedure was a success, I was left completely shaken. I stared at my signature on the consent form for a long time.

Just how badly had I been hurt to give up eight years of my memories for no apparent reason?

As time ticked away, I had no choice but to accept this new reality. Leaving the hospital, I went straight to the address that popped into my head.

The moment I stepped inside, the place was a complete mess. A woman's clothes were scattered across the sofa, and leftover takeout sat abandoned on the dining table.

Was I rooming with a slob?

Instinctively, I began tidying up. By the time I realized what I was doing, I froze in place. Growing up, I had never lifted a finger. Since when was I so quick to clean up after someone else?

I scanned the room. The display case was filled with all sorts of flashy figurines, plushies, and preserved flower keepsakes. These were things I had zero interest in, viewing them as superficial gestures that couldn't compare to quality time.

Meanwhile, my absolute favorite ancient architecture models were sitting in the corner, covered in dust. I pulled out one of the models to wipe it clean, only to spot a photograph that had fallen behind the display case.

In the photo, a man who looked remarkably like me had his arm around my older sister Cora's best friend, Phoebe, both of them smiling happily.

Just as I was wondering why a photo of my sister's friend was in my home, the sound of keys unlocking the door echoed from outside. The sharp click of high heels stepped inside.

I turned around nervously, and the person walking through the door was the same Phoebe from the photo.

However, today's Phoebe was no longer as naive as she looked in the picture. Instead, she appeared elegant and distant, exuding the intimidating aura of someone in power.