All Chapters of When the Dream Fades: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

Madeline's POV"I know this is sudden, but I don't know why. You just came to mind out of nowhere, yet my memories of you are still so hazy. You understand me, don't you, Madeline?"When Preston video called, I unintentionally answered.His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked anguished, as though he were desperately trying to grasp at his fading memories of me."So, you remember who I am now? You just don't remember what happened between us?"I looked at him calmly. He was still wearing the engagement ring from three years ago."I never wanted to end up like this. It's all because of that bullet. I wish it had gone a little farther off course and hit me straight in the heart."Preston's voice was hoarse as he spoke.But as a surgeon, I'd already checked. He never suffered any head injuries."It's okay. As long as you remember me, that's enough. I can pretend none of this happened today. We can start over. Preston, will you come back home with me?"Even though I'd seen through

I froze, staring at Preston in disbelief as he stood beside me, utterly indifferent.When we first started dating, he often left for work and came back with injuries of all sizes.Every time, he'd clutch my hand, the fear still lingering in his eyes. "Madeline, promise me you'll stay away from danger. Don't touch a gun. Ever."He said guns were the most unforgiving things in the world. One careless moment could cost a person's life.He had also made me a promise.Guns were merciless, and the battlefield was dangerous. But as long as he was there, no gun in the world would ever be pointed at me.Yet now, he was the one hurting me with a gun.Before I could get another word out, several agents stepped forward and roughly seized me."What are you doing? Preston! You bastard! You can't punish me like this! I'm…"I used the last of my strength trying to tell them I was pregnant and couldn't withstand the punishment. Before I could finish, they lifted me up and threw me into a mud

Third-Person POVPreston made a dash for the exit, but Hailey suddenly cried out in pain beside him. "It hurts."She weakly grabbed his sleeve, her eyes reddening.His hand hovered in midair, but he couldn't bring himself to lower it.His thoughts had already drifted away from Hailey and toward Madeline, hanging from the side of a high-rise building.…He first met Madeline when a thief snatched her purse.Preston had stepped in, subdued the thief, and retrieved her purse. Inside, along with the cash, was her precious acceptance letter into medical school.Madeline had been deeply grateful. As they got to know each other, they confessed their feelings, fell in love, and eventually got engaged.Over the years, Preston had often been away for work, leaving Madeline to face life on her own.Every hardship, every difficult moment, she'd endured alone, gritting her teeth and pushing through.She'd never once complained to him about how hard things were.At that thought, Preston

Back then, Preston had been full of hope and anticipation. Now, all he felt was disbelief and self-loathing.When he'd gotten engaged to Madeline, she'd asked him for nothing.She had dressed simply and gone home with him to meet his family. She hadn't asked for jewelry, wedding gifts, or presents for her family. She'd never insisted on elaborate gestures to prove his sincerity.She simply told him that as long as they stood by each other, that was enough.…Watching Hailey prattle on, never satisfied, Preston sank deeper into regret. He decided to stop holding back. "I'm not going back with you."She froze. The smile vanished from her face. "What did you say?"Without even looking at her, he wrenched himself free of her grip and headed for his car to go rescue Madeline.However, before he could take another step, Hailey dug her fingernails into his arm. "We just had our wedding. How can you say something like that? Have you lost your mind?"Preston winced in pain, his gaze tu

"I never wanted things to end up like this, either. I'm deeply saddened by your mom's death, too. I'll keep pursuing treatment and do everything I can to recover my memories. I'll take good care of you. For the rest of my life, I'll be there for you."He looked at me hopefully, waiting for me to agree. Yet, he still refused to tell me the truth."After everything that's happened, you're still pretending? Preston, this so-called retrograde amnesia and situational amnesia—don't you know perfectly well whether you've actually lost your memory?"I'd originally planned to give him a taste of his own medicine. But the more I thought about it, the less it seemed worth it. It would be a waste of time.As such, I decided to be direct.Preston froze. Even his breathing grew noticeably heavier.After a long silence, he finally spoke. "What are you talking about? Memory loss isn't something I can control. Some days are better than others. I hate myself for it, too. Why couldn't that bullet h