Addison wrinkled her nose and tucked herself tighter into Brian’s arms.
“Brian, the floor’s filthy. She just took the medicine. What if she throws it up? How about giving her another pill, just in case it stops working?
Brian glanced at me with those unreadable dark eyes, then nodded like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.
I clutched my stomach, which was already twisting itself in knots, and shook my head.”
“No, I’m fine. My stomach’s killing me. I don’t want any more pills.““>
But of course, he didn’t listen. His grip tightened as he pinned me down.”
“Kaia, come on. Your body won’t heal right if you don’t take it.“”
Before I could fight back, he pried my mouth open and shoved the pill in. Fearing I wouldn’t swallow, he clamped his hand over my nose and mouth, cutting off my air.
Choking, I struggled desperately, and the wound on my head began to bleed again. I could feel the wound reopen, the blood starting to drip again.
He was terrified I’d remember. That if I didn’t forget him, I’d mess up his whole picture–perfect show with Addison.”
Tears slipped out and landed on his hand. That made him pull back, like I’d burned him.”
Then the drug kicked in.
My stomach spasmed hard, pain shooting through me like someone had knifed me from the inside. I doubled over.
Blood–real, hot blood–poured from my mouth.
Brian’s face went pale. He looked like he’d just seen a ghost.“]
He grabbed at me, frantically wiping at the mess.}
“Kaia, what the hell? This… this wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s not supposed to be this bad.“>
I couldn’t even speak. I just held onto my abdomen, trying to stay conscious. Everything in me was screaming. It wasn’t supposed to be this bad.
But this drug was developed by him and his company. To help him succeed, I secretly became their test subject, taking the drug many times, forgetting him over and over, and then forcing myself to fall in love with him again.”
And each time, I somehow fell for him all over again.
But because I took it too many times, the side effects grew worse with each dose.
And this one felt like it was ripping me apart. My body gave out. I slipped off the bed and hit the floor, too weak to move.
Brian knelt beside me, hands trembling as he tried to clean up the blood.
It only made the mess worse.
“Where’s the doctor? Get the damn doctor in here now!” he yelled.>>
Addison tugged at his arm, annoyed. “Brian, seriously? She’s just an assistant. I pay her enough to buy ten lives. Once she sleeps it off, she’ll forget everything, and she won’t feel a thing. And I heard there’s a pool scene on the show. Come help me pick out a swimsuit.” Brian hesitated. For a moment, he looked torn. Then his hand slipped from mine.
His voice was quiet, almost detached. “Kaia, once you sleep and forget, everything will go back to normal.”
And just like that, he let me go.“]
I stayed there, crumpled on the floor, barely holding myself up. I didn’t even look at them. Didn’t want to see their faces. Just listened to their footsteps fading down the hall.
Then the tears came.
Big, ugly, shaking sobs.”
But Brian… I’d taken so much of that drug, my brain couldn’t forget you anymore.
What it did was worse.
It didn’t erase my memories–it chipped away at my feelings for you, little by little.
And once the full effect kicks in three days from now, I’ll never love you again.
After a while, the tears slowed. The pain in my chest dulled just enough for me to catch my breath.
That’s when my phone buzzed. It was Mom.
“Kaja, the Stanton family’s eldest son, came by to propose again this year. I told him you liked someone else, but he said he’d wait for you forever. What do I tell him this time?”
I didn’t answer right away. I just stared at the video Addison had sent me. It showed Brian gently helping her try on swimsuits, his hands on her shoulders, and soft eyes.
I closed my eyes. That sting in my chest burned hotter than before. “Mom,” I said, voice steady, “no need to turn him down. I’ve said yes.” There was a pause on the line.
Frazed My B
“Okay, I’ll tell him you’re getting married. Wait–what? You agreed? Did I hear that right? I thought you liked that Thompson guy? Why the sudden change?”
I cut off her nagging. “I’ll explain later. I’ll be back in three days for the wedding.”
Because three days from now, I wouldn’t love Brian.
Not anymore.
Even before my wounds healed, Brian had his people come collect me. They dragged me to the reality dating show filming set like I was just another prop.
There he was with Addison, dressed in matching light outfits, clinging to each other like honeymooners.”
He shoved a camera into my hands without even looking me in the eye.§
“Kaia, you’re the best photographer. Make sure you get good shots of me and Addison. Real close.”
