Chapter 2

A few days later, I was discharged. I firmly told the doctors that aside from Nathan and Leo, my memory was perfectly fine. The doctor explained to Nathan that the memory loss was temporary, a side effect of the concussion, and that my full recall would gradually return.

Back at Nathan’s house, I headed upstairs, ignoring the cheerful piano duet floating from the living room. Leo and Amelia were playing, and when they finished, Amelia gave him a proud thumbs-up.

"My little maestro, you were wonderful!"

Leo beamed, blushing. "Only because you’re the best teacher!"

A perfect picture of mother-son harmony. I continued up the stairs without a word, watching Leo’s smile vanish as he spotted me.

Amelia quickly stood up. "Mrs. Carter, how are you feeling?"

From the staircase, I gave a polite nod. "Much better, thank you. Please, don’t let me interrupt."

I didn’t dislike Amelia—I envied her. She wasn’t the other woman. She was Nathan’s unforgettable first love. I was the one who had married him, but the truth is, the one who isn’t loved is the real outsider.

Nathan fell for her at eighteen. Last month, when Reed Corp declared bankruptcy, Amelia returned. She’d used all her savings to cover her family’s debts, and her music degree didn’t open many high-paying doors here. So, Nathan hired her as Leo’s piano teacher for $6,000 a month.