Chapter 1

Both Ethan Rivera and I were reborn at the same time.

In our past life, we spent our entire lives together, deeply in love until we were old and gray.

In this life, I eagerly waited for him to propose to me just like he did before.

But instead, he brought a hypnotist to erase my memories, then turned around and married my half-sister, Lily.

"Claire, in our past life, Lily was forced to marry abroad and suffered terribly until she died. I can't let that happen again, so I have to marry her."

"I don't want to hurt you. After the hypnosis, you'll forget about me. Once I help Lily escape her fate, I'll have the hypnotist restore your memories. Then I'll divorce her and we can be together properly."

Seeing his mind was made up, I accepted the hypnosis without hesitation.

He didn't know that once this hypnosis began, my memories could never be restored.

In five days, I would completely forget him.

...

"The hypnosis is complete, Mr. Rivera."

The hypnotist put away his pocket watch.

Ethan looked at me, having just finished the session, his eyes filled with unease.

"I know you don't like Lily. You must be angry that I'm marrying her."

"Don't worry, I would never betray you. You're the heiress - you'd never be forced into an arranged marriage abroad. Lily is just an illegitimate daughter. If I don't help her, she'll die miserably in a foreign country again."

"I can't bear to see that happen. Can you understand?"

I stared at him, my gaze somewhat dazed.

I wondered when this man, who had always been so devoted to me, developed such compassion for Lily.

He knew perfectly well that Lily's mother had threatened suicide to force my mother into letting my father bring Lily into our family.

Because of this, my mother died of heartbreak.

He also knew that ever since we met, Lily had always stolen things that belonged to me. I'd always despised her.

Yet now he was determined to protect her.

Seeing my silence, Ethan frowned, looking panicked.

"You've been hypnotized. Soon you won't remember me. I promise you won't be hurt by my marriage to someone else."

"When this is over, I'll have the hypnotist restore your memories. You'll forget everything that happened during this time, and we can go back to how things were."

The hypnotist beside us started to say something.

But Ethan cut him off. "That's enough. We don't need you anymore."

I knew what the hypnotist wanted to say.

Hypnosis doesn't cause immediate memory loss - it gradually erases memories through psychological suggestion.

But this kind of deep, prolonged hypnosis makes memory recovery impossible.

I looked at Ethan and smiled.

"Since you've already made your decision and declared your feelings for her, you don't need to keep explaining yourself to me. As long as you can handle the consequences."

Seeing that I wasn't angry, Ethan relaxed, a hint of a smile appearing in his deep eyes.

"Since I'm doing this, I'm naturally confident. Don't worry, Claire. I can handle the consequences."

I was about to speak when my head suddenly throbbed with pain. Everything went black, and my body swayed backward uncontrollably.

Ethan quickly caught me, his face filled with concern.

"Does your head hurt? I made sure the hypnosis wouldn't harm your body. Let me get a doctor to check on you."

He started to lift me up.

I pressed my hand against him and steadied myself shakily. My mind went completely blank for a moment.

Instinctively, I asked, "What doctor? Why are you here?"

Hearing my words, Ethan froze, seeming to understand something. A flash of joy appeared in his eyes.

He immediately let go of me.

"Claire, I came to propose to your sister. We've decided to be together. She's marrying me in five days. From now on, you'll have to call me brother-in-law."

I was stunned for a few seconds, then realized the hypnosis was starting to take effect, making me forget what had just happened. But Ethan thought I had forgotten everything.

Seeing the joy in Ethan's eyes, my heart couldn't help but ache.

But on the surface, I still managed a smile.

Since he wanted to act, I'd play along. It would be closure for our two lifetimes together.

"Congratulations. You're about to get everything you wanted."

Just then, Lily came running over and linked her arm through Ethan's.

She stood between us, her eyes red and looking wronged.

"Claire, aren't you the one who despises people who wreck relationships?"

"Ethan and I are getting married, but you're still meeting him privately. How is that different from the people you hate?"

Ethan's face darkened.

"Don't talk nonsense. Your sister and I are completely innocent. Nothing happened between us!"

He instinctively defended me, and Lily's tears immediately started flowing.

She looked at me.

"I know you've always looked down on me. Maybe in your eyes, I should give you everything, but not Ethan. He's the person I love most."

"He only loves me. I won't marry anyone but him. Please have some self-respect and stop meeting him alone. Stop trying to destroy us."

Ethan pressed his lips together, seeming to feel sorry for her tears. He reached up to wipe them away, his tone softening.

"You misunderstood. I only came to ask your sister what you like. Don't be so worried. I'll be more careful in the future and won't make you sad again."

"Didn't you want to look at wedding dresses today? Let me take you now."