Chapter 40: The Truth Hidden in the Past
Silence filled the hospital room.
Lina stared at Adrian, her heart beating faster than before.
"You… were in the accident too?"
Adrian frowned slightly.
"I don't remember…"
Daniel looked serious.
"This might not be a lie."
Sophia crossed her arms.
"Emily wouldn't say that without reason."
Lina's chest tightened.
"If Adrian was in the accident… then…"
Her thoughts became messy.
Adrian leaned back slightly.
Trying to remember.
But his mind felt blank.
Like something was missing.
"I don't remember being there…" he whispered.
Sophia looked at him carefully.
"Then maybe your memory was affected too."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"Or maybe someone made sure you forgot."
The words sent chills down Lina's spine.
Adrian's expression hardened.
"She wants me to meet her alone."
Lina immediately shook her head.
"No. You can't go alone."
Adrian looked at her gently.
"I don't have a choice."
"Yes, you do."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"It's dangerous."
Adrian stepped closer.
"I'll be careful."
Lina looked into his eyes.
Her heart felt uneasy.
"I don't trust her…"
Adrian nodded.
"Neither do I."
Daniel sighed.
"She's baiting you."
Sophia added quietly,
"But we might need to take the risk."
Silence fell again.
Adrian finally made his decision.
"I'll go."
Lina grabbed his hand.
"Then I'm coming too."
He shook his head.
"No."
"Adrian—"
"No, Lina."
His voice became firm.
"She's already targeting you."
Her grip tightened.
"I don't care."
He looked at her softly.
"But I do."
Her heart skipped.
The words felt warm.
Yet painful.
She slowly let go.
"...Then promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise."
—
That evening…
Adrian drove alone.
The location Emily sent was outside the city.
An old seaside road.
The sky was dark.
Waves crashed quietly against the shore.
Emily stood near the railing.
Her long hair moved with the wind.
She turned slowly when Adrian arrived.
"You came."
Adrian stepped out of the car.
"You said you had answers."
Emily smiled faintly.
"I do."
He walked closer.
"Start talking."
Emily studied him carefully.
"You really don't remember anything?"
"No."
She sighed softly.
"That's disappointing."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Stop wasting time."
Emily leaned against the railing.
"Two months ago…"
Her voice became calm.
"You and Lina were driving together."
Adrian's brows furrowed.
"Lina…?"
Emily nodded.
"Yes."
"You were arguing."
Adrian froze.
"Arguing…?"
Emily nodded slowly.
"You were going to divorce her."
His heart skipped.
"That's not true."
Emily smirked.
"You sure?"
Adrian clenched his fists.
"Continue."
Emily looked at the ocean.
"You were distracted… then the truck came."
His chest tightened.
"I was there."
Emily continued softly.
"You protected her."
Adrian's eyes widened slightly.
"I… did?"
Emily nodded.
"You took most of the impact."
His breathing slowed.
"You were unconscious…"
Emily looked at him.
"And when you woke up… you forgot everything."
Adrian remained silent.
Pieces slowly formed in his mind.
But something still felt wrong.
"Why would I forget?"
Emily smiled faintly.
"Because someone wanted you to."
His eyes sharpened.
"What do you mean?"
Emily stepped closer.
"The doctor."
Adrian frowned.
"What?"
Emily whispered softly.
"The doctor who treated you… worked for your father."
Adrian froze.
"My father…?"
Emily nodded.
"He didn't want you to remember."
"Why?"
Emily smiled.
"Because you were going to leave Lina."
Adrian's heart pounded.
"That's impossible."
Emily tilted her head.
"You were in love with me."
The words hit like thunder.
Adrian's expression darkened instantly.
"That's a lie."
Emily stepped closer.
"You told me… you regretted marrying her."
Adrian shook his head.
"No."
Emily laughed softly.
"You really don't remember anything."
His jaw tightened.
"Show me proof."
Emily pulled out her phone.
She opened a video.
Then handed it to him.
Adrian watched.
His eyes slowly widened.
It was him.
Two months ago.
Standing beside Emily.
"I'll divorce her soon…"
His own voice.
His own face.
Lina's name.
Adrian's grip tightened.
The video ended.
Silence filled the air.
Emily spoke softly.
"You loved me."
Adrian remained silent.
His mind conflicted.
Something felt wrong.
Very wrong.
"Even if that's true…"
His voice cold.
"You tried to kill Lina."
Emily's expression hardened.
"She took you from me."
Adrian stepped back.
"You're insane."
Emily smiled faintly.
"Maybe."
She stepped closer.
"But you still came."
Adrian turned away.
"I heard enough."
Emily's voice softened.
"You don't believe me?"
He stopped.
"I believe… you're dangerous."
He walked toward his car.
Emily watched him leave.
Her smile faded slowly.
"You're still protecting her…"
Her eyes darkened.
"Even after everything…"
She whispered quietly,
"Then I'll make sure… you remember everything."
—
Meanwhile…
Lina sat at home.
Restless.
Her mind filled with worry.
She kept checking her phone.
No message.
No call.
Sophia sat beside her.
"Relax."
"I can't."
Daniel sighed.
"He'll be fine."
Suddenly—
The door opened.
Adrian entered.
Lina stood immediately.
"You're back."
He nodded.
She stepped closer.
"What happened?"
Adrian hesitated.
Then quietly said—
"She showed me something."
Lina's heart tightened.
"What?"
He looked into her eyes.
"A video…"
Her breath caught.
"What video…?"
Adrian spoke softly.
"A video… where I said… I wanted to divorce you."
Silence filled the room.
Lina's heart shattered slightly.
"I… see…"
Her voice became quiet.
Adrian watched her carefully.
"But I don't believe it."
She looked up.
"You don't?"
He shook his head.
"Something feels wrong."
Her chest tightened.
"Then… what now?"
Adrian stepped closer.
"We find the truth."
Their eyes met.
But neither realized—
Outside the house—
Someone watched them quietly.
Emily stood in the darkness.
Her eyes cold.
And her next move—
Would change everything.