Chapter 44: The Doubt Between Them
Lina didn't know how long she sat there.
The café slowly emptied.
The coffee in front of her turned cold.
But her mind remained frozen.
"He approved the memory suppression…"
"He chose me over you…"
Emily's words kept replaying in her head.
Her chest felt tight.
Her breathing uneven.
"No… Adrian wouldn't…"
She whispered softly.
But doubt had already crept into her heart.
Her hands trembled as she picked up her phone.
She stared at Adrian's name.
Should she call him?
Ask him directly?
Her finger hovered over the screen.
But she couldn't press it.
Because she was afraid.
Afraid of hearing the truth.
—
Meanwhile…
Adrian sat in his office, staring at the documents in front of him.
But he wasn't reading.
His mind was somewhere else.
He kept thinking about the memory he recalled earlier.
The night before the accident.
Emily crying.
Him telling her something.
But the memory still felt incomplete.
His phone buzzed.
He picked it up instantly.
But it wasn't Lina.
His expression softened slightly… then faded.
Daniel walked in.
"You look distracted."
Adrian leaned back.
"I feel like something is missing."
Daniel nodded.
"Your memory?"
"Yes."
Daniel sat across from him.
"Emily is manipulating everything."
Adrian nodded.
"I know."
"But I still need the truth."
Daniel sighed.
"Just be careful."
Adrian nodded quietly.
—
Back at the café…
Lina finally stood up.
Her legs felt weak.
She walked outside slowly.
The sky looked gray.
Her heart felt heavy.
She got into a taxi.
Her mind replayed every moment with Adrian.
His kindness.
His protection.
His warmth.
Could all of that be fake?
Her chest tightened.
"No…"
She whispered.
She didn't want to believe it.
But the document she saw…
It looked real.
Her fingers clenched.
"I need to ask him…"
—
Back home…
Sophia noticed Lina immediately.
"You look terrible."
Lina forced a smile.
"I'm fine."
Sophia frowned.
"You met Emily, didn't you?"
Lina froze.
"You knew?"
Sophia crossed her arms.
"I guessed."
Lina sighed softly.
"She told me something."
Sophia's expression became serious.
"What?"
Lina hesitated.
Then quietly said—
"She said Adrian approved my memory loss."
Sophia's eyes widened.
"What?"
Lina nodded slowly.
"She showed me a document…"
Sophia frowned.
"That sounds suspicious."
Lina nodded.
"I know… but…"
"But you're not sure."
Lina looked down.
"I don't know what to believe anymore."
Sophia sighed.
"You should ask him."
Lina nodded.
"I will…"
But her voice still trembled.
—
Evening arrived.
Adrian returned home.
He immediately noticed Lina sitting quietly.
"You're back early."
She nodded.
He walked closer.
"You okay?"
She looked at him.
Her heart tightened.
She remembered Emily's words.
Her fingers clenched slightly.
"Adrian…"
"Yes?"
She hesitated.
Then asked softly—
"Did you… approve my memory loss?"
Adrian froze.
"What?"
She looked into his eyes.
"Did you sign the consent form?"
His expression changed.
"I… don't remember."
Her heart sank slightly.
"You don't remember…?"
He shook his head.
"No."
She swallowed.
"Emily showed me a document…"
His eyes narrowed.
"What document?"
She explained briefly.
Adrian's expression hardened.
"That could be fake."
Lina nodded.
"I know…"
"But?"
She looked down.
"I just needed to hear from you."
Adrian stepped closer.
He gently held her hands.
"I would never hurt you."
Her heart trembled.
"But what if… I begged you?"
He paused.
She continued softly—
"What if I asked you to erase my memories?"
Adrian remained silent for a moment.
Then he answered honestly.
"I don't know."
Her heart tightened again.
He continued.
"But I would never choose someone else over you."
Her eyes met his.
"Are you sure?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
Silence filled the room.
But doubt still lingered.
Lina slowly nodded.
"I want to believe you."
He gently squeezed her hand.
"Then believe me."
Her heart softened slightly.
But deep inside—
Something still felt uncertain.
—
That night…
Lina lay in bed.
Her eyes open.
Sleep refused to come again.
Adrian lay beside her.
He noticed.
"You're still awake."
She nodded.
He turned toward her.
"You're still thinking about it."
She didn't deny it.
He sighed softly.
Then—
He gently pulled her closer.
"Sleep."
She froze slightly.
But didn't pull away.
His warmth surrounded her.
Her heart calmed slowly.
She closed her eyes.
But even then—
Doubt still lingered quietly in her heart.
—
Meanwhile…
Emily stood on her balcony.
Her phone in hand.
She smiled slightly.
"Seeds of doubt… planted."
She looked at the night sky.
Her eyes cold.
"This is just the beginning."
Because she knew—
The more Lina doubted Adrian—
The easier everything would become.
And she wasn't done yet.