Chapter 3

Everyone’s gaze pierced me like knives.

Because on the way to the hospital, *I* was the one who insisted on going back for my teddy bear, causing the delay.

Celeste’s assistant, who had been with her for ten years, couldn’t hold back. He lashed out at me directly:

“A stupid teddy bear? Is that more important than Celeste’s life? Do you have any idea what she’s sacrificed for you all these years? And you? You don’t give a damn if she lives or dies!”

Celeste’s face instantly darkened.

“You’re fired. Go to payroll to collect your last check.”

The hospital room fell silent.

Celeste then turned to me, forcing a reassuring smile onto her pale face.

“Don’t listen to him. If you like it, Liam, not just a simple teddy bear, but even my life—I wouldn’t hesitate for a second.”

I hugged the faded teddy bear in my arms and gave a foolish smile.

It was strange. Celeste wasn't taking amnesia pills, so why was her memory so bad?

This wasn’t just any ordinary bear.

This was the one Celeste had given me in high school.

It cost three thousand dollars.

Celeste had to scrub toilets for five months just to scrape together that much.

To me, that kind of money wouldn't even cover the cost of decent wrapping paper for a gift.

So, in front of all our classmates, I threw the bear into the trash.

Then I pulled out a wad of cash—easily ten thousand dollars—and threw it in her face.

“Go get some taste. Don’t ever insult me with this kind of trash again.”

Thinking of this, my gaze fell on her remaining hand.

These past few years of luxury had left it soft and smooth.

Nothing like that year, when it was raw and peeling from harsh detergents, covered in swollen, painful chilblains.

Celeste’s hand shouldn’t have been like that.

Even the current me felt that way.

The hospital room door burst open with a bang. Jaxon Miller practically threw himself onto Celeste’s bed, sobbing hysterically.

He bumped into me, sending me sprawling to the floor.

The wound he’d inflicted with scalding water just days ago ripped open, blood soaking through my sleeve.

Celeste’s eyes were filled with such tender concern, but it was all for Jaxon Miller.

It wasn't until a nurse came in for rounds that she suddenly remembered I was still there.

She offered me a somewhat awkward explanation:

“Jaxon’s just… very emotional. Don’t read too much into it.”

Then Celeste suddenly remembered my headaches. She asked the doctor to take me for a check-up.

But from start to finish, she never once looked at me.

And she certainly didn’t see the spreading crimson on my sleeve.

The doctor went back to get something, leaving me alone in the hallway.

Suddenly, a violent shove from behind sent me sprawling.

Jaxon Miller grabbed me, pulling me to the floor.

He snatched the teddy bear from my arms, shoving it hard against my face, his voice sharp, laced with venom:

“You piece of trash! I’ll make you taste Celeste’s pain!”

The suffocation made me struggle desperately, and I instinctively called Celeste’s name.

The plush fabric smothered my nose and mouth, and panic, swiftly followed by suffocation, overwhelmed me.

I struggled with all my might, instinctively crying out Celeste’s name.

My fingernails scraped long, bloody trails on the floor.

The room was only a few steps away, but no one came to help me.

Just as darkness began to consume me, Celeste’s voice, eerily calm, finally drifted into my awareness.

I thought I was saved.

But she merely watched the scene unfold, then instructed Dr. Reed, who had followed her out:

“Dr. Reed, please, do what you always do. Erase this memory for Liam.”

Jaxon’s shrill voice detonated in my mind.

“If Celeste hadn’t been wiping your memories clean every time, you would’ve learned your lesson years ago!”

So, Celeste allowing Jaxon to hurt me wasn't the first time.

A torrent of fragmented images slammed into me, like countless knives piercing my skull, a pain so sharp it felt like my head would explode.