Chapter 12
I hesitated for a moment, lips parting slightly as I was about to speak, but Raleigh interrupted me.
“While shopping, I saw a necklace that I thought looked nice, so I bought it for you,” he said, taking it out of the box and carefully putting it around my neck without waiting for
my response.
His movements were slow and cautious as if he were afraid I might refuse.
I had seen his decisive demeanor at work, and he rarely smiled, so this sudden caution felt a bit strange to me.
However, he often did things like this.
He’d drop by the hospital, treat me to meals and flowers, and then, just as casually, he got me a necklace.
“It’s very beautiful. I really like it,” I said, picking up the necklace and smiling at him.
Seeing his serious expression, I sat him down on a bench and held his hand. His dark eyes were fixed on mine as he whispered, “Have you ever thought about the possibility that I’m speaking the truth?”
My smile faltered for a moment as I looked up at the slightly darkening sky. “Raleigh, I understand, don’t worry.” 1
After a moment, I gently patted his hand to reassure him.
“I have a request,” Raleigh said solemnly.
“Go ahead.”
“Can you promise not to throw away the necklace in the future? No matter what happens, please don’t throw it away,” he pleaded.
“Why would I throw away something so beautiful?”
I quickly covered the necklace with my hand and looked at Raleigh’s serious expression. I’ll wear it when I eat, when I sleep, when I shower, and everywhere I go!”
Raleigh’s expression softened slightly at my words.
11
“Come on, let’s take some photos,” I said, hugging his arm and taking many pictures with him, selecting a few good ones to post on social media.
Later in the evening, Justin showed up at the door.
He didn’t come to see me because of the photos; he was here because of Jasmine.
Chapter 12
+25 BONUS
“Stella, why are you so cruel? Why did you go to Jasmine’s school specifically to humiliate her? Just because you nearly drowned once? Is your mind twisted? Forgetting about me is one thing, but why bully someone as innocent as Jasmine? She has always been strong, but because of you, she cried all night!”
Justin’s face was filled with anger, more than ever before.
“I bullied her?” I furrowed my brow.
“She cried because of you!” Justin looked at me with disgust written all over his face.
With a slight tilt of my head, I couldn’t help but chuckle at his demeanor, finally letting out a sigh. “Mr. Reed, you’ve always claimed to be my boyfriend, my lover, but your actions don’t make me feel that way.”
Justin was taken aback.
“It was you who got close to Raleigh first!” He found a reason.
“So… from now on, I’ll be with Raleigh, marry him, spend my life with him. Please, just be with Jasmine and leave me alone,” I pleaded.
Justin’s expression turned desperate. “No! I love you, Stella. You can’t marry Raleigh.”
His eyes were bloodshot as he tightly held onto my hand.
“Love? Do you even know what you’re saying?”
I scoffed, my eyes starting to well up, pointing to my heart. “I feel nothing for you here. Seeing you just disgusts me.‘
“You’ve lost your memory. You’ll remember eventually.” Justin couldn’t bear my cold and disgusted gaze.
Lost my memory?
I couldn’t help but laugh.
I ushered him out, closing the door behind him, my eyes instantly turning red, with tears that seemed endless.
Chapter 13
