Chapter 3

The evening autumn breeze carried a hint of chill.

After my phone was repaired, the first thing I did was text Dr. Hayes: I'd like to try the hypnosis therapy you mentioned last time.

Dr. Hayes quickly replied: You will lose some memories after hypnosis.

And we'll need a family member to sign a consent form, ensuring someone can care for you during recovery.

My gaze fell on the words "family member," and a bitter smile touched my lips. I couldn't even think of anyone who could sign for me.

I scrolled through SnapChat endlessly, my finger hovering over one contact, hesitant to tap it.

Unexpectedly, the avatar suddenly vibrated, and a message popped up: I'm back in the country today. Can we grab dinner?

I quickly replied, setting a time and place.

I stared out the window, my thoughts drifting far away.

Maya was my sign language teacher's daughter. Because I often went to her house for lessons, we naturally grew close.

Three years ago, when she learned I was marrying a vegetative woman, she angrily smashed the birthday gift she planned to give me, saying it was a waste for her mother to teach me sign language.

I signed back, spewing harsh words.

Then she went to study abroad, and I thought we would never meet again.

I never expected her to return. After several years, she had matured considerably. When she wasn't smiling, an aura of "do not approach" radiated from her.

I got straight to the point, signing my question: Can you... pretend to be my family and sign for me?

Her expression stiffened. After hearing the full story, her hands clenched tightly, as if she was struggling to suppress something.

"Are you sure about this?"

I nodded gently. What use were those memories to me anyway? And once they were gone, I could speak again.

"Okay."

It was evening when I returned to Aria's house. My belongings were casually strewn in the villa's hallway.

Aria glanced at me indifferently. "Leo, don't say I'm not being lenient. From now on, you'll move into the guest room."

I nodded softly. She hadn't expected me to be so calm and eyed me up and down.

I would forget her soon anyway. What did it matter where I lived?

Suddenly, a small dog, Cupcake, ran out from inside the house. My body tensed, and I instinctively grabbed Aria's arm.

She frowned in displeasure and harshly flung my hand away.

"Leo, know your place."

Her strength was considerable. I wasn't prepared and instantly tumbled to the floor, my wrist screaming in pain.

I had been afraid of dogs since childhood, and the girl who once promised to protect me for life had now let go of my hand.

A flicker of regret crossed her eyes, and she reached out to pull me up.

I pretended not to see, and endured the pain as I pushed myself to my feet.

Brandon emerged from the room and took Aria's hand.

"Cupcake doesn't like being confined. Let's move her to a bigger room."

Aria looked at him dotingly. "Okay, we'll give Cupcake the guest room we just cleaned up.

"Leo, you can move to the basement."

How ridiculous. In her eyes, I was worth less than their adopted stray dog.

As I packed my things, I suddenly caught a strange scent.

Following the smell, I found a large yellow stain on a red coat.

This coat was a birthday gift from Aria. Because my birthday fell on the same day as Brandon's parents' memorial, my parents never allowed me to celebrate.

Aria had secretly given me the coat, looking at me earnestly as she said, "Leo, I'll spend every birthday with you from now on."

Promises, it seemed, only held true when love was present.

I treasured this coat, never daring to wear it. It seemed I never would.