Chapter 43: The Secret She Couldn't Ignore
Lina stood frozen in the hallway, her phone still pressed against her ear even though the call had already ended.
Her heart pounded violently.
"You didn't lose them naturally…"
Emily's words echoed in her mind again and again.
Someone made sure she forgot?
Her fingers trembled slightly.
"Who… would do that…?"
Her breathing became uneven.
Behind her, Adrian and Daniel were still talking downstairs.
She hesitated.
Should she tell Adrian?
Her heart felt conflicted.
Emily wanted her to meet alone.
It was obviously a trap.
But…
What if it was true?
What if someone really erased her memories?
She clenched her fist.
"I need to know…"
—
Downstairs…
Adrian noticed Lina coming down.
"You're awake."
She forced a small smile.
"Yeah."
He studied her carefully.
"You look pale."
"I'm fine."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"You sure?"
Lina nodded.
"I just didn't sleep well."
Adrian didn't look convinced.
But he didn't push further.
"Eat first."
She nodded quietly.
But her mind was elsewhere.
—
Meanwhile…
Emily sat inside a quiet café.
Her fingers stirred her coffee slowly.
Her lips curved faintly.
"She'll come."
She knew Lina.
Curious.
Emotional.
Unable to ignore the truth.
Her phone buzzed.
She checked the message.
"Everything ready."
Her smile deepened.
"Perfect."
—
After breakfast…
Adrian left for work.
Daniel followed him.
Sophia stayed with Lina.
"You're quiet today," Sophia said.
Lina hesitated.
Then asked softly—
"Sophia… do you think… memories can be erased?"
Sophia frowned.
"Erased?"
"Like… intentionally."
Sophia thought for a moment.
"It's rare… but possible."
Lina's heart tightened.
"You think… someone could do that?"
Sophia looked at her carefully.
"Why are you asking?"
Lina hesitated.
"I just… wondered."
Sophia narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You're hiding something."
Lina quickly shook her head.
"No…"
Sophia didn't push.
But she sensed something was wrong.
—
An hour later…
Lina stood outside the café.
Her heart pounded.
She came.
Despite everything.
She pushed the door open.
Emily sat by the window.
She smiled when she saw Lina.
"I knew you'd come."
Lina walked closer.
"Talk."
Emily leaned back.
"So impatient."
"What did you mean?"
Emily studied her carefully.
"Your memories."
Lina clenched her fists.
"You said someone erased them."
Emily nodded.
"Yes."
"Who?"
Emily smiled faintly.
"You might not like the answer."
Lina's heart pounded harder.
"Just say it."
Emily leaned forward slightly.
"Adrian."
Silence exploded.
Lina froze.
"What…?"
Emily continued calmly.
"He agreed to it."
Her breathing stopped.
"You're lying."
Emily shrugged.
"Am I?"
She pulled out her phone.
Opened a document.
Then placed it on the table.
Lina looked.
Her eyes widened.
It was a hospital consent form.
Patient Name: Lina Carter
Signature: Adrian Harrison
Her hands trembled.
"No…"
Emily watched her carefully.
"He approved the memory suppression."
Lina felt dizzy.
"Why… would he…"
Emily's voice softened.
"Because you were suffering."
Lina looked confused.
"Suffering…?"
Emily nodded.
"You begged him… to forget everything."
Tears slowly formed in Lina's eyes.
"I… begged…?"
Emily leaned closer.
"You found out something… terrible."
Her voice lowered.
"And you couldn't handle it."
Lina's chest tightened.
"What… did I find…?"
Emily smiled slowly.
"You discovered… Adrian betrayed you."
Her world shattered.
"What…?"
Emily nodded.
"He chose me… over you."
Lina's heart felt like it broke.
"No…"
Emily sighed softly.
"You begged him… to erase your memories."
Tears slipped down Lina's cheeks.
Her mind spinning.
Was this true?
Or another lie?
Emily leaned back.
"You don't have to believe me."
She stood up.
"But ask him."
She walked past Lina.
Then stopped.
"Oh… and one more thing."
Lina looked at her.
Emily smiled coldly.
"He never told you… did he?"
Then she left.
Lina sat frozen.
Her heart broken.
Her mind filled with doubt.
Because for the first time—
She didn't know who to trust anymore.