Chapter 1

A year after the car accident stole my memories, I got married.

On my way to my prenatal checkup, a kid blocked my path.

He scowled at me, voice ice-cold:

"Dad sent me to bring you home. Are you done throwing your tantrum?"

I almost laughed. I crouched down, reaching to pat his head.

"Hey sweetie, I think you've got the wrong person."

He jerked away from my hand, irritated.

"Stop pretending. Fine—I'll let you tuck me in from now on."

I felt bad for him, but for safety's sake, I walked him back to his house.

Outside a massive mansion stood a man—tall, sharp-featured, radiating cold authority.

When he saw me, something flickered in his expression. But his voice dripped with contempt:

"Chloe. So you finally decided to come back."

He grabbed my hand, trying to drag me inside.

I yanked free and dialed my husband:

"Babe, I think I just ran into a family of psychos!"

...

Before he could respond, my phone was slapped from my hand.

It shattered against the stone driveway.

The man's jaw clenched with barely controlled rage:

"Chloe, quit the act."

"So what if you took the fall for Evelyn and did three years? You weren't exactly suffering."

"But no—you had to jump out of the car on your way home from prison. Made Evelyn feel guilty for a whole year!"

"When you see her, you're going to apologize."

My chest tightened with sudden, inexplicable pain.

My hands trembled as I reached for my broken phone.

"You've got the wrong person. I don't know you!"

I turned to run. He caught my wrist and pulled me against his chest.

Close enough to feel his breath, I could see the impatience in his eyes:

"Chloe, how many years in prison does it take for you to learn? Nobody's watching your little performance!"

My heart felt like it was being ripped apart. I couldn't breathe.

Nameless terror wrapped around me. I opened my mouth but couldn't speak.

Then a strange woman emerged from the house.

She wore a fitted lace nightgown, peeking out from behind the man:

"Chloe! You're back!"

"Where have you been this whole year? You abandoned your husband and your son!"

"What Julian did back then was wrong, I already punished him for you..."

Julian. The name was familiar.

But I couldn't remember who he was.

"Don't touch me!"

I instinctively shoved her hand away. She cried out and fell.

"I don't know any of you! I need to go home, I need to find my—"

Pain exploded across my forehead. Blood dripped down my face.

The kid had thrown a rock at me. "Bad woman! Don't bully my mommy!"

Julian glanced at me with something like concern, but he scooped Evelyn into his arms first.

She struggled free, eyes red as she grabbed my hand:

"Chloe, don't blame Leo. He's been raised by me these past few years—he forgot you're his real mother."

She pulled me inside, grabbing iodine and bandages to patch me up.

"You have no idea how hard Julian searched for you..."

I realized I was trapped. I stopped resisting.

Silent, I scanned the photos covering the walls.

A happy family of three. Holding hands through spring, summer, fall, winter.

The dates ranged from last January through December.

I smiled bitterly, pointing at the glaring kid.

"You say I'm his mother. So who are you?"

"I..."

Evelyn flushed, glancing at Julian.

The man frowned, his voice sharp:

"Evelyn is your sister-in-law. Why are you playing dumb?"

"All those years you were locked up, she took care of me and our son. You should be thanking her."

I almost laughed. I turned to Julian.

"You say I'm your wife. Then answer me this."

"Why would I go to prison in her place?"

He froze. His voice rose:

"Evelyn's delicate. She can't handle suffering. How could you compare to her?"

I stood, pressing him:

"Then what do I like? What's my favorite flower? What size do I wear?"

He retreated, step by step, his face draining of color.

His lips moved. No words came out.

I asked my final question, each word deliberate:

"When is my birthday?"

Julian went silent. His fists clenched. Then he exploded:

"Enough! Stop this!"

I laughed coldly, raising my left hand to show the massive diamond on my ring finger.

"I'm sorry, Mr. whatever-your-name-is. I don't know what kind of delusion you're all having, but I really don't know you."

"And I'm already married. My husband is waiting for me at home."

"As for my injuries and damages—my lawyer will be in touch."