Life was simple but fulfilling, and my health improved with time. The only trouble was I sometimes felt frustrated because I still
couldn’t remember my past. Whenever I felt like that, Christina would comfort me.
“No matter what happened in the past, at least you’re happy now, right?”
I agreed with her. Perhaps my past was too bitter, and that was why my mind refused to remember it; I chose to live in the
present.
At my next exhibition, Christina and Holly came, just like before, to show their support and bring me flowers.
Holly, holding my hand, led me around the exhibit, chatting excitedly about how each painting made her feel. However, even
from the start, I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching me.
I looked around, and sure enough, I spotted a man in the corner, staring at me. When he saw that I noticed him, he didn’t try to hide it. Instead, he walked straight toward me.
He was standing in front of me now, and Holly, unsure what to do, looked up at the stranger. I instinctively stepped back,
positioning myself between her and the man.
“Do you need something, sir?”
“Leah, I–I’ve been looking for you for so long…” For reasons I didn’t know, the man’s voice was shaky.
I frowned in confusion. “Do we know each other?”
“Leah?” He seemed shocked. “You don’t remember me?”
1/2
Chapter 8
+20 Bonus
“I know you’re still angry with me, Leah. I…” The man grabbed my wrist, his voice trailing off as he mumbled something
incoherent.
I pulled my wrist away firmly. “Sir, calm down. First of all, my name isn’t Leah. And secondly, I don’t think we know each other.”
The man finally quieted down, but still, he looked visibly stunned, as if his whole world was falling apart.
“You really don’t remember me? I’m your boyfriend, Leah. I’m Paxton. You’re not tricking me, are you?”
“This is enough, sir,” Christina intervened after noticing the disturbance. She stepped in front of Holly and me, wary and
protective.
Paxton seemed to crumble at her words. He had calmed down, but I could feel the overwhelming despair and pain radiating from
him.
Had I known him before? Something in my mind screamed, but my head started to ache.
Christina sent Holly and me to the rest area while she stayed behind to talk to Paxton. However, even after I closed the door to the
rest area, I could still feel his eyes on me.
“Meredith, are you okay?” Holly asked, worried as she looked up at me.
I patted her head reassuringly. “I’m fine, sweetie. I’m just a little tired. I’ll be okay after some rest.”
