ManyWriters

In the seventh year of my relationship with Sakura, she accidentally slipped in the bathroom, forgetting everything except her childhood sweetheart, Zoran.
She said she only loved Zoran.
On the eve of the competition, she had someone kidnap me and injure my hands so I couldn't compete.
"Who do you think you are to compete with Brother Zoran?"
Until I accidentally overheard her conversation with the doctor.
"Miss Everhart, if Jaxon finds out you had me switch his hand injury medication for epilepsy drugs, he might... Plus, you've been faking amnesia for a while now. Jaxon comes every day to ask about your recovery, and I'm starting to feel really guilty..."
Sakura's voice was ice-cold.
"It's just ruining his hands, not taking his life. What, is he going to kill himself just because he can't paint anymore?"
"I promised Brother Zoran I'd stay with him until he gets better. Jaxon won't find out. Once Zoran's wishes are fulfilled and he's no longer suicidal, I'll naturally regain my memory."
"Just come up with another excuse to brush off Jaxon!"

Love and Hatred Fade with the Wind

Yes, I previously said such things when I was feeling disheartened, but then I reconsidered, worrying that if Sakura regained her memories, she might blame me for giving up on her. So I still followed behind her.


Now that I know everything was just an act put on by Sakura herself, my heart has truly died.


Sakura, reminded by him, thinks I'm merely angry and jealous.


She believes that once Zoran's health improves a bit more, she'll pretend to regain her memories, placate me nicely, and everything will return to how it was before.


"Fine then, you say you won't cling to me anymore, so let's draw up a written agreement today!"


Sakura asks the waiter to bring paper and a pen, and has someone pin me down on the table.


But my hand was crushed yesterday when she stepped on it, and I can't hold a pen.


"What are you playing at? Can't you say you won't cling to me anymore?"


As the bandages are violently torn away, they pull at the scabbed wounds, ripping open the flesh again.


My fingers slowly start to bleed, cold sweat breaks out on my forehead, my mouth twists in pain, and my body starts to tremble uncontrollably from the agony.


Sakura scoffs coldly."Yesterday, I stepped on your middle finger, but you're such a good actor. You managed to injure all five fingers. Jaxon, for a grown man, you're quite the schemer. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?"


I endured the pain, the corners of my eyes turning crimson.


"Yesterday, you and Zoran took turns stepping on my palm..."


Before I could finish, Zoran clutched his chest and coughed forcefully.


Sakura's eyelashes fluttered, and she immediately supported Zoran, her eyes filled with concern.


As she passed by me, she shot me a vicious glare and slapped me across the face.


"It's all because you opened your mouth and slandered Zoran, upsetting him!"


"Jaxon, if anything happens to Zoran, I'll break your hands. You'll never be able to paint again. That'll teach you to make amends to Zoran!"


You already shattered my dreams yesterday.


On the third day, the exhibition organizers called me to cancel my previously scheduled art showcase.


When I tried to ask why, they had already hung up.


"Jaxon, I guess you've already heard the news?"A lost plagiarist's work has no place in an art exhibition, wouldn't you agree?


When I arrived at Zoran's house, he was sitting there at ease, looking at me with disdain.


"You don't know yet, do you? Your original draft was handed over to me by Sakura herself. Without it, you're nothing but a shameless copycat!"


"Oh, and by the way, it was Sakura who injured your hands, preventing you from entering the competition. All because I mentioned that without you, I'd surely be the winner."


My heart sank to the pit of my stomach.


My eyes suddenly caught sight of a torn stocking on the couch where Zoran sat.


Zoran, seeing my devastated expression, looked utterly satisfied.


"You dare to compete with me? Jaxon, even if you're a painting prodigy, so what? Today, I'll destroy your reputation!"


A flash of madness crossed Zoran's eyes as he poured the boiling water from the table onto his own hand.


He curled up on the floor, screaming in agony.


"Jaxon, I really can't hand over the original draft!"


Before I could process what was happening, Sakura burst in from outside, kicking me hard in the stomach, her face contorted with shock and anger.


Chapter 3