I’d never cried in front of Brian. Not once. But suddenly, it all hit me.
The emotions crashed in hard and fast, and before I could stop it, my voice snapped out sharp: “None of your damn business!“} Hayes, usually the picture of arrogance and conceit, looked as if someone had slapped him and completely thrown him off balance. “Whoa, hey–don’t cry,” he said quickly, flustered. “I didn’t mean it like that. It’s my fault, okay? I suck at saying the right thing.” He scrambled around for a tissue and tried wiping my cheeks, but the tears just kept falling. No stopping them now.”
And then, without thinking, he leaned in and kissed one right off my cheek.
! froze.
His face was so close–too close.>
Hayes’s eyes locked on mine, all dark and serious. My heart skipped, then took off in a full sprint. I could feel the heat creeping into my chest. He tried to keep a straight face, but I caught the flush rising to his ears.
Panicked, he pressed my head gently against his shoulder, trying to smooth it all over.“]
“Kaia,” he murmured, voice low and steady. “You’re exhausted. Get some rest, okay? Sleep it off. It’ll all feel better when you wake up.“> And somehow, just like that, I did.”
Between the exhaustion and his calm, grounding presence, I drifted off fast.
In my dream, we were back in school. Hayes was in his uniform, teasing me for being short. I snapped back that he needed his eyes checked.
Then he was helping me up after I tripped, brushing mud off my skirt.”
“You’re such a klutz,” he said with a sigh.
But when I looked like I was about to cry, he softened.”
“You’re so clumsy. What would I do without you? Why don’t you marry me someday?“}]
I rolled my eyes, still annoyed, and said nothing.”
Funny how life works. Because I really would end up marrying him.
…&
Hayes didn’t waste any time.
Right after bringing me home, he sent over the engagement gifts. Invitations were out faster than I could blink, like he was worried I’d change my mind if he gave me room to think.
So much so that when I stood on stage in my wedding dress, hand in hand with Hayes, I still felt a little dazed.}
Was he that afraid I’d bolt?
Noticing I was shifting on my feet, Hayes stretched his leg out behind mine and whispered close, “If you get tired, lean on me. I’ll keep it short.”
That quiet warmth of his, right there behind me, settled something inside me.
When the priest asked the big question, ‘Do you take this man?‘ I didn’t hesitate at all.0
“I do. “2
But right as the music kicked in, it stopped abruptly.
Brian burst through the doors, shouting, “She doesn’t want to!”
He ran straight to the stage, reaching for my hand.
I pulled away before he could touch me. His face was a mess of heartbreak, but he didn’t try again.
Instead, Brian faced the crowd, his expression filled with desperation.
“Everyone, I’m sorry. My fiancée had a brain injury. She lost her memory. She doesn’t know what she’s doing. She’s just marrying the wrong guy. She forgot I’m the one she really loves.”
The whole room gasped.
Right then, Hayes gripped my hand tightly. I gave him a firm squeeze back.
I turned to Brian, anger bubbling up hot in my chest.
This was where he decided to show up? After everything?
Irritated, I said, “Brian, seriously? If you’re here to wish me well, then drop off your gift and get out. Otherwise, take your drama somewhere else.
Panic filled his eyes, and his voice rose. “Kaia, come on. You don’t remember? We’re engaged. You love me!”
I gave him a sharp look. “Oh, really? Got proof?”
Brian froze.
He recalled the engagement invitation he had destroyed on the filming set. Because he was so worried about Addison’s feelings, our engagement never made it public.
engagement never made it public.
No video. No photos. No receipts.
I tilted my head and continued, “Mr. Thompson, maybe you’re the one with memory loss. You forgot that the person you’re really in love with is your dear sister, Addison. You two even starred in a dating show together, remember? The videos? All those intimate moments? Yeah, they’re still floating around online.”
Brian shook his head like he could rewind time by sheer will. “No, Kaia. Come on, it’s not like that. It’s not! I have proof, look.”
He shoved a camera into my hands. It was old, beat up, and full of files.”
“This has all our moments together–everything we had. Just look at them, Kaia. You’ll see. You’ll remember. We’re the ones who truly love each other.“D
Kala’s POVE
