Chapter 1

My husband, Adrian, suffered from intermittent amnesia. Whenever he had an episode, he forgot who I am.

The day before our wedding, his assistant, Vivian, changed the door code to our wedding suite without telling anyone.

I entered the old code, setting off the alarm. A neighbor mistook me for a burglar and called the police.

Adrian showed up with the officers.

I wanted to run straight into his arms and be comforted, but he only shook his head and told them he'd never seen me before.

They took me to the station for questioning. I never even made it to my own wedding.

Not long after we got married, I came down with appendicitis, and he drove me to the hospital.

Halfway there, he had another episode. His expression turned dark, and he ordered me out of the car.

It was below freezing.

By the time someone found me, I'd collapsed in the snow.

Every time, he would pull me into his arms, guilt written all over his face, and swear he never would have hurt me if he'd known who I was.

I loved him, and I knew it wasn't fair to blame him for something he couldn't control. So I kept swallowing my pain and forgiving him.

I changed his phone's lock screen to a photo of the two of us. I even filled his Notes app with my name. But none of it worked.

When I was five months pregnant, I went with him up the mountain to watch the sunset.

Only when we got there did I realize he'd brought Vivian, too.

On the way up, a flash flood swept through the area. Adrian immediately ordered his men to arrange a rescue.

But when the rescue boat arrived, he blocked my way, his expression unreadable.

"Sorry, this is my private rescue boat. It's only for company employees and their families."

"I don't know you. You'll have to wait a little longer. The rescue team will be here soon enough."

He wouldn't even give me a chance to explain. He shoved me aside and turned to take Vivian's hand.

Before he left, he even made sure to pick up her dog.

He couldn't remember who I was, but he remembered her dog's name without the slightest hesitation.

That was when it hit me. His condition wasn't the problem. He simply didn't think I was worth remembering.

I lowered my eyes, the faint smile on my lips slowly freezing.

Fine. Forget me.

If his episodes could keep making him forget he was my husband, then I could learn to stop thinking of him as mine.

——

The water kept rising. My foot slipped, and I nearly lost my footing and plunged into the floodwater.

Adrian never once looked back at me. He only helped Vivian safely aboard the boat.

Fear wrenched a scream from my throat.

Adrian whipped around at the sound.

But before I could say anything, he smiled and waved at something behind me.

"Oliver, come here. I'll help you aboard."

I slumped against the rock, too numb even to cry.

He could remember Vivian's dog, yet he'd forgotten his own wife, the woman carrying his child.

My fingertips rested against my rounded belly.

When I spoke, my voice trembled despite my best efforts.

"Adrian Prescott, I'm pregnant. You can't just leave me here!"

He only frowned, his eyes narrowing with impatience.

"I already told you, this is a private rescue boat. Not just anyone gets to come aboard. Pregnant or not, you’re not getting on this boat."

"Go ahead and make a scene. It won't change anything. I'm not here to play the hero, and being pregnant doesn't give you the right to guilt-trip me."

Every word he said was meant to humiliate me and tear me down.

I couldn't hold back any longer. I screamed at him, pouring every ounce of pain and fury into my words.

"Adrian Prescott! We've been married for five years! I'm your wife!"

"You remember Vivian and her dog. Why you cannver remember me?!"

I thought that hearing me cry out like that might finally get through to him, even just a little.

It didn't.

Adrian stared back at me without the slightest hint of recognition or compassion.

He was about to speak when Vivian suddenly pushed him aside, instantly bursting into tears.

"Mrs. Prescott, this is all my fault. I never should have come, and I have no right to take your place."

"I won't take the boat. I'll give my spot to you. Please don't be hard on Mr. Prescott. He's just having an episode. He didn't forget you on purpose!"

She pretended to throw herself off the boat, and Adrian immediately caught her around the waist to stop her.