Chapter 1

He asked me to take a memory suppressant—to erase 20 years of love—just so he could become another woman's hero. And even knowing it would sever my ability to love him forever, I still played along and saw the performance through to the end.Alexander Smith set the bottle on the marble countertop, his fingers drumming nervously."I know you don't like Sophia, and I understand you feel angry over my engagement to her. But try to understand."You're the heir to the McKenzie family, the youngest investment director at Dominion Exchange. No one could ever force you into a political marriage. Sophia's different. Her father's a power-hungry senator. If I don't protect her, she'll be used as a political pawn."I can't bear to watch another tragedy unfold. You understand that, don't you?"I stared at him, my gray-blue eyes devoid of emotion.I couldn't pinpoint when the man who once promised to love me for eternity began feeling sympathy for Sophia Watson. He was fully aware of how she

Chapter 2

Half an hour later, my best friend Claire Ashford burst into the apartment. She was a partner at Ashcroft & Bell, one of the top law firms in Belgrave. The moment she saw how pale I looked, her eyes welled with tears."Emma, is Alexander out of his mind? In his past life, he defied his entire family to save you. And now he wants to marry that manipulative bitch?""There's news from the board," she added breathlessly. "Your father gave you two choices—either win Alexander back or accept a political marriage with the heir to the largest energy conglomerate in Velmora."I poured her a martini and spoke calmly. "What's there to fight for? He chose someone else. Why would I lower myself to chase after a man who doesn't want me?"I'll take the marriage. If I'm going to be forced into marriage anyway, I might as well choose the option that benefits my career."In the McKenzie family, even though I was the sole heir, the board had always believed a woman needed a powerful husband to secur

Chapter 3

Night fell, and the neon lights of Fifth Avenue flickered to life.Under their glow, Alexander's face looked as pale as paper. He couldn't say a single word.I turned and walked away. "Sorry to interrupt your date. I wish you both happiness."Suddenly, a cab swerved out of control and jumped the curb.It was moving too fast. Before I could react, Alexander instinctively pulled me into his arms."Emma, look out!"I froze.The next moment, Sophia's shriek cut through the air. "Alexander! My foot!"He let go of me instantly and rushed to her. His shove was rough. I slammed into a mailbox, scraping my elbow against the metal.Blood soaked through my sleeve. The sting overlapped with an older, deeper ache. Alexander had already scooped Sophia up and was frantically examining her ankle. "Damn it! It might be sprained. I'm taking you to the hospital. That bastard of a driver! I'll make sure he pays!"I steadied myself on the mailbox and watched him disappear down the street, still

Chapter 4

The champagne glass slipped from Alexander's hand, shattering on the floor and scattering crystal shards everywhere."What? She went to Vostmark? That's impossible! She's too proud! She would never agree to a political marriage. I'm going to the airport!"He turned to leave but was blocked in the doorway by Claire.She stood tall in a black suit, sharp and commanding, like a prosecutor about to deliver a closing argument. Her eyes were cold, blade-like."Proud?" Her voice cut through the room. "Alexander, what made you think she would wait around for you forever?"You really believed that that memory suppressant would only cause temporary amnesia? I just got my hands on an internal report from the Food and Drug Administration. That drug causes permanent damage to the brain's dopamine receptors. Congratulations. You've destroyed the very love you were trying to preserve."This entire week, she's been fully aware. She witnessed you purchasing a replica of her ring for Sophia, openl

Chapter 5

The wind at Dravensk Airport in Droskav, Vostmark, was razor-sharp, slicing straight through layers of clothing.As I stepped off the airstair, I spotted a tall figure waiting on the tarmac. It was Mikhail, and he was far more imposing in person than in his profile picture. His dark brown hair was slicked back with meticulous precision, and his gray-blue eyes were as cold and unreadable as a Nordveil ice lake.He approached with long, purposeful strides, his gaze intense and unreadable. "Emma," he greeted me in Velric, his Vostmarkan accent unmistakable. "Welcome to Vostmark."By standard business protocol, he should have addressed me as Ms. McKenzie. The use of my first name caught me slightly off guard.He must've noticed the flicker of surprise in my expression, because a faint, knowing smile curved the corner of his lips."Forgive me. I got ahead of myself. I've waited a long time for this day.""Do we know each other?"Mikhail didn't answer directly. Instead, he opened

Chapter 6

After the signing ceremony, Mikhail didn't immediately ask me to move into the Romanov estate. Instead, he arranged for a private villa along the Serova River."I know you'll need time to adjust," he said. "This place is only a ten-minute drive from the Romanov estate. If you need to be by yourself, stay here. But whenever you'd like company, I'll be close by."The villa was a remnant of the Vostmarkan Imperial Era, but the interior had been fully modernized. Every detail had been thoughtfully considered. He'd even replicated the essentials from my apartment in Veridon, down to the exact brand of coffee machine.He came by every evening after work, sometimes to walk with me through the snow, other times just to talk by the fire.When I mentioned missing Veridon's bagels, he flew in a baker from Belgrave. Even so, the water in Droskav was different. Despite using the same recipe, the taste never quite matched. Regardless, I was deeply touched by the gesture. He left on a three-day

Chapter 7

At Mikhail's arrangement, a medical team from Alberreich flew to Droskav.The treatment took place at the Romanov Medical Center, a facility equipped with the most advanced technology and featuring top specialists. The treatment consisted of intravenous infusions and neural stimulation, which lasted a total of four hours. When the final round concluded, my memories surged back like a tidal wave.I saw the cracks in what I once believed to be a perfect love.I saw Alexander doing for another woman the very things he used to do only for me.I relived the pain of those seven days—the disappointment, the heartbreak, and eventually, the resolve.20 years of love wasn't something one could simply forget. When the memories were gone, I felt a hollow emptiness. But now that they'd returned, I felt something else. I felt at peace.Some things, once lost, remained lost.Alexander had been waiting outside the treatment room. The moment he saw me emerge, he rushed forward like a man posse

All Chapters of Why Mourn What You Killed?: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7