Chapter 1

My boyfriend of years got amnesia, and I was the only thing he forgot.

No matter how hard I tried, he couldn't recall a single memory of us.

He even started treating me like I was crazy.

Then, I overheard him on the phone with his best friend and finally understood everything.

“Amnesia? Come on. I just wanted a little thrill, you know? Watching her see me with other women, totally helpless.”

My heart went cold.

I told him we were done.

And I agreed to the brain surgery that could actually cause me to lose my memory.

...

Ethan Sterling had no reaction when I broke up with him.

After all, he was deep into playing his little amnesia role, where he'd already forgotten I was his girlfriend.

I was at his penthouse packing my things when he happened to come home from the hospital.

He had a young, beautiful woman hanging on his arm.

I guess she must be the new thrill he was looking for.

He just got discharged and couldn't even wait a day.

"What are you doing in my house?"

Looking at Ethan's fake-confused face, I knew it was useless.

You can't wake someone who's pretending to be asleep.

It was the woman beside him who spoke up.

"She says you two broke up, so she's here to get her stuff."

Ethan scoffed and warned me, "Look, I honestly don't remember anything about us, but since everyone keeps saying it, I'll take their word for it for now."

"But you'd better be careful while you pack. Don't take anything that isn't yours."

His coldness was so convincing; he really seemed like he'd forgotten me.

If only I hadn't heard that phone call with his friend.

But if he really didn't like me anymore, or if he wanted to break up, he could have just said so.

I'm not the type to cling or make a scene; I would have just left quietly.

Why did he have to stage this whole elaborate play and make everyone act along with him?

It made our entire beautiful history feel like it had been contaminated.

Disgusting.

I couldn't be bothered to call him out on his lie.

I just answered calmly, "If it's not mine, I don't want it."

I went back to packing my things, now with two guards watching my every move.

They kept whispering and flirting, even kissing right in front of me.

All the sweet, intimate things he used to do with me were now being performed with someone new.

Maybe he was right.

Maybe doing it in front of me really was more of a thrill for him.

I packed quickly; all I had here were a few changes of clothes and some small trinkets anyway.

Forcing my emotions down, I held up the bag.

I interrupted their little show to ask Ethan, "Mr. Sterling, would you like to check this?"

He shot me an annoyed glance and said coldly, "Just grab your shit and get out. Don't bother us."

My heart clenched, and a sharp pain made my eyes well up.

I dragged my feet out the door of his apartment, and it wasn't until I turned the corner in the hallway that I let the tears fall.

A few moments later, my phone rang.

"Ms. Davis, since you've made your decision, we need you to come to the hospital soon to discuss the surgical plan and schedule."