ManyWriters

During spring cleaning, I lost the bone bracelet that my wife Annalise always clutched in her hand.
She flew into a rage over this, pushing me down the stairs and breaking my leg.
Only then did I realize that the bracelet was made from the bones of Dean, her deceased first love.
Despite her severe germaphobia, that night she rummaged through every trash can downstairs.
While I was hospitalized, she never showed up, yet her social media was flooded with memories of her and Dean.
[If you didn't have a slight resemblance to him, Liam, I wouldn't have given you a second glance in the first place...]
I closed my eyes and dialed that long-buried number.
"It's me, Julian. I'm back."
If the beginning was a mistake, might as well end it sooner.

The Bone Charmer

This is my first public appearance as Julian.


In the past, I found these social obligations tedious.


But one bout of amnesia can change your perspective.


At least, if people knew my true identity.


Things like being tricked into marriage wouldn't happen.


On the day the annual meeting date was set, I agreed to a media interview.


Little did I know, this very interview would give Annalise the chance to find me.


On the day of the annual meeting, I arrived at the venue on time, dressed in a royal blue suit.


Just as I was about to enter, I heard a familiar voice behind me.


Turning around, I saw Annalise slowly emerging from a shadowy corner.


She looked much more haggard, and far less ostentatious.


Gone were her custom gowns and expensive jewelry.


The Annalise before me now somewhat resembled the woman I first met.


"Liam, I... I've been searching for you for so long..."


Annalise's eyes welled up with tears as she spoke, appearing utterly pitiful.


Chapter 8