Chapter 2

The physician informed us that Darren was suffering from memory loss.

His recollections ceased at the point just before he completed university, when Vivie was his entire world and I was his most disliked rival.

We had grown up together, our families having been close for generations. Yet somehow, it seemed we were always at odds with each other.

I was ambitious, and he couldn't stand anyone challenging him even slightly. In our younger days, we were both filled with youthful arrogance. We quarreled about everything, from studies to life, and nearly every encounter ended in a heated debate.

But Vivie was unlike us.

She was kind, smart, charming, and adorable.

If she hadn't left him to pursue better opportunities abroad, he wouldn't have ended up drunk and spending a night with me, who was also inebriated.

Following that incident, we gradually stopped viewing each other as adversaries and began to appreciate each other's positive traits.

Despite our relationship improving, on the day he asked me to marry him, Darren became involved in a work-related conflict. He angered the wrong person and was deliberately set up for revenge, putting his life at risk.

Now he's back, but all the mutual understanding and shared experiences of recent years have vanished.

"Is there really no hope for Darren to regain his memories?" Juan inquired with a concerned expression.

The doctor shook his head and responded, "The likelihood is very low."

We looked at each other, but remained silent.

From our earlier discussion with the doctor, we learned that Darren had been undergoing treatment for several months.

During this time, he slowly began to recall many things, and it wasn't until recently that his memory finally returned to the level of when he was in university.

Besides this, I was also forced to hear numerous accounts of his affection for Vivie.

For instance, after each treatment session, Darren would experience a period of withdrawal symptoms.

At these times, he wouldn't want anyone around except Vivie, who could soothe his emotions.

Another example was that Darren had proposed to Vivie last month, and she had joyfully accepted. They were soon to be officially wed.

It felt surreal.

My partner disappeared for three years, and upon his return, he was about to become someone else's husband.

As we left the treatment room, Ned's eyes were bloodshot.

He said, "Cindy, let's go talk to Darren. We can't allow them to get married, can we?"

"No," I firmly rejected the idea, knowing that given Darren's current feelings towards me in this memory, if we went and caused a scene, not only would I be cut off from him, but even Ned and Juan would no longer be considered his friends.

"What should we do then? Just let the situation worsen?"

I gazed out the window, feeling lightheaded. These past few days, with all the company issues, I hadn't been sleeping well at all.

Today, a friend told me they had seen someone who looked very much like Darren at this hospital. I hadn't slept all night and rushed over here. The outcome was a massive shock to me.

They knew it too, but there was nothing they could do, nothing they could change.

By the time I arrived home, it was already evening. I lay on the couch, staring blankly at the light fixture above me.

That crystal chandelier was something Darren and I had purchased during a trip to Lochfog, spending a fortune to have it shipped back.

At times, he loved to embrace me here because every facet of the crystal chandelier reflected his love for me.

"Darren, I despise you so much." As I spoke, I couldn't help but weep again.

The next moment, a noise suddenly came from outside the door, startling me.

The door opened, and Darren stood at the entrance.

He was holding a briefcase and because his memory only went back to university, he was dressed like a college student, with fewer signs of cunning in his eyes.

Of course, every time he stood at the door looking at me, he never had any schemes. He only had a smile on his face, then approached and gave me a loving kiss.

But now, when he saw me, he hesitated for a moment. Then, with a tone full of deep aversion, he said, "What are you doing in my house?"

I sat up from the couch and replied, "Darren, this is also my home."

He frowned, walking in step by step, his eyes surveying the apartment.

Everything here was in pairs, clearly showing signs of the life we had shared together.

Even the large wall in the living room was covered with all the photos from our trips.

All the proof of our love was displayed before him, and I didn't need to explain anything.

"Move out," he said.

I inhaled sharply, my voice quivering as I asked him, "What's the reason?"

Darren's lips twitched slightly, looking somewhat pained.

I struggled to force a smile, "Darren, you've just forgotten. You do love me. Please, don't make me hate you, okay?"

Darren seemed puzzled, as if he was deep in thought.

But my casual words weren't enough to change the expression on his face.

Instead, it reminded him that his company was still under my control. That was why he had come back to find me tonight.

"Yes, you reminded me," he said, pulling a document from the briefcase he was carrying. "I hope you can return my company to me. And also..."

He took out another item, with a red cover embossed with golden lily of the valley flowers and the large double happiness character almost drew my gaze.

"They say I had a relationship with you, but I forgot. Now I'm getting married and I hope you can attend our wedding."