Listening to Ethan's gentle words and watching their intimate behavior, I couldn't help thinking.

Maybe Ethan hoped I would stay amnesiac forever.

Maybe in his wholehearted love for me in our past life, there was always a trace of pity for Lily hidden deep down.

So after being reborn, the first thing he did was protect her.

If he had feelings for her, why did he bother with me at all?

What was all that talk about coming back after everything was over?

Ethan looked down at me again, speaking gently.

"I'll take Lily to try on wedding dresses first. If you're not feeling well, go see a doctor. You're delicate - don't let it drag on."

I laughed softly, my gaze indifferent.

"You should focus more on your fiancée. I don't need your concern."

Ethan froze for a moment, seeming surprised by my coldness.

But then he remembered my memories had been erased by hypnosis, and his brow relaxed somewhat.

He nodded at me and left with Lily.

Lily clung tightly to his arm, practically pressed against his body.

He just smiled indulgently without pushing her away.

My face was pale as I endured the heartache, quietly comforting myself.

"It's just a different kind of life. It's okay."

Soon after, my best friend Sophie came to find me.

She was extremely close to me, and as soon as she saw me, she was so angry her eyes filled with tears.

"Claire, Ethan used to love you so much he would die for you. How could he suddenly go after your scheming sister? Has he lost his mind?"

"The Weston family from overseas has come to propose again. Last time they wanted to marry Lily but it didn't work out. This time they specifically want you."

"Your father is making you choose - either you win Ethan back and marry him, or you have to take Lily's place and marry abroad."

I wiped her tears, speaking calmly.

"I won't fight for him. He doesn't need me, and I don't want him either. Then I'll marry abroad."

Here, I seemed to have a complete family, but I never felt like I belonged.

Since I had to face marriage anyway, I might as well choose to marry into wealth.

I'd heard the young heir abroad had a difficult personality and was hard to get along with, but as long as I was careful with my words and actions, I should be able to handle it.

In our past life, Lily suffered terribly after marrying him because she was too demanding and always caused trouble.

As long as I kept my head down and behaved myself, it shouldn't be too difficult.

Sophie was shocked, so I told her about Ethan's hypnosis.

She immediately turned red with rage.

"Ethan is such a bastard! For Lily's sake, he treated you like this. He doesn't consider your feelings at all! He's not even human!"

"But I'm sure he still loves you deeply, otherwise he wouldn't have bothered with hypnosis and wanting to get back together with you. But this hypnosis can't restore memories at all."

"Hmph, I want to see if he'll regret it so much his guts turn green when he learns the truth!"

I lowered my eyes and said nothing.

Whether he regretted it or not, I no longer cared.

In five days, all memories of him would completely disappear, and it wouldn't be my place to care about him anymore.