Chapter 2

In the afternoon, Olivia left for the office.

I sat alone in the backyard, soaking in the sun.

Maria, the maid, brought over some fresh fruit. She looked at me, hesitating to speak.

"Mr. Ethan... do you really not remember anything?"

I shook my head blankly.

"Olivia says I’m sick."

Her lips parted slightly, but in the end, she just sighed.

"Then just listen to Mrs. Olivia. She’s doing it for your own good."

As she turned to leave, I heard her mumble under her breath.

"So tragic... he can't even protect the inheritance his parents left him..."

I was about to call her back and ask what she meant.

Just then, the sound of a car engine echoed from the driveway.

Julian came in with his medical bag, a look of apology on his face.

"Sorry about this, Ethan. I forgot to give you your injection this morning. I just realized and rushed right back."

As he spoke, he pulled out a syringe.

"This is a new neuro-nutritional drug. Olivia agreed to start you on it today."

I instinctively shrank back.

But he grabbed my arm with surprising force, pinning me down.

"Ethan, this is for your own good."

I struggled slightly, and he immediately frowned.

"Stop moving."

The needle pierced my skin.

Before long, a heavy, dark sleep washed over me.

I had a terrifying nightmare.

In the dream, I was standing on the edge of a steep cliff.

Olivia and Julian were holding each other, watching me.

"Ethan, just jump! You'll finally be free if you jump!"

I didn't want to. I wanted to run away.

But Olivia blocked my path, pushing me step by step to the very edge.

"Ethan, once you’re dead, all the company shares will be mine!"

With that, she gave me a violent push.

"Ah!"

I screamed and woke up, but there was no one in the room.

Through the glass of the backyard conservatory, I saw the two of them talking.

I shook my heavy head, walked out, and suddenly spoke up.

"Olivia, are we really married?"

Their conversation cut off instantly.

Olivia turned around, and for a split second, her eyes looked incredibly terrifying.

She walked toward me, step by step.

"Why would you ask that?"

I was intimidated by her cold gaze, my back tensing up.

"I just think it's weird. Why do we only have one wedding photo?"

"Why isn't there a single trace of my past in this house?"

She grabbed my hand so hard I felt my bones ache.

"Because you are sick, Ethan."

"When you have your episodes, you destroy things. You tear up photos, smash furniture."

"To protect you, and to protect our memories, I hid everything away. Don't you trust me?"

She looked at me, a look of deep hurt in her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have doubted you."

Olivia’s face softened, and she pulled me into a hug.

"It's okay. I know you're sick. I'll stay by your side until you're completely cured."

I didn't pull away, but I didn't hug her back either.

Over her shoulder, my gaze locked onto Julian, who was still standing nearby.

Maybe it was because of the drug, but I fell asleep incredibly early that night.

At 2:00 AM, I woke up feeling extremely thirsty.

I got out of bed and crept down to the kitchen in the dark.

While pouring a glass of water, I noticed the lights in the conservatory were still on.

As if possessed, I walked over.

Through the glass, I saw Julian sitting on a wicker chair in a bathrobe.

Olivia stood behind him, bending over to massage his shoulders.

"Was the dosage today too high? He actually started questioning things," her voice drifted out.

Julian tilted his head back, resting it against her stomach.

"It's normal for him to doubt. That drug damages memory. Over time, it makes people paranoid, even delusional."

He reached up and grabbed Olivia’s wrist.

"Olivia, are you getting soft-hearted?"

"No."

She smiled, her expression colder and more indifferent than I had ever seen.

"He deserves this. If his family hadn't forced me into this marriage back then, we would have been together long ago!"

Julian chuckled.

"Just hang in there for three more months. His cognitive functions will be permanently damaged."

"By then, he really will be a vegetable. No one will ever be able to prove a thing."

Olivia let out a cold laugh.

"Yes. And then, all of his parents' wealth will belong to me!"