"What do you mean… I'm Jackie?" he said, his voice breaking as tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Jackie who?" I asked, completely lost.
The door opened, and Mom walked in.
"Jackie… Kania has lost her memory because of the constant dizziness and falls," she explained softly.
I tried to search my mind, forcing myself to remember him—but everything was blurred, like a broken screen.
"Ahh!" I screamed, clutching my head.
"No… don't try to remember anything," he said quickly, stepping closer. "You might hurt yourself."
He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
I didn't resist.
That touch… that warmth… it felt so familiar.
"I'm going to Europe tomorrow to pursue my studies," he continued, his voice heavy. "I thought we could celebrate today… but you don't remember me."
He wiped his tears, hugged Mom briefly, and walked out.
My chest tightened.
"Mom… who is he?" I asked quietly.
She brushed my hair gently.
"That is for you to remember, baby."
I swallowed hard.
"Is my kidnapper arrested?"
"Yes, baby. He is."
"Then… please tell me everything. From day one."
She hesitated, then sighed and sat beside me.
"Your father and I work for AIR—Artificial Intelligence Robots. Your dad is one of the best in the field. We weren't ready to have a child… so we created you."
My heart stopped.
"What…?"
"We wanted to keep it a secret, but it leaked during an assignment. The entire AIR staff found out. We were warned—if anything went wrong… if you ever became a danger… we would lose everything."
I sat there, frozen.
"With fear in our hearts, we hired Mary from AIR to watch over you. And we created a robotic dog to protect you."
My eyes widened.
"Zoi… too?"
"Yes. Zoi has a camera inside him. He's always watching you."
I pulled Zoi closer, holding him tightly.
A strange mix of fear and comfort filled me.
That night, sleep refused to come.
Jackie.
Who was he to me?
Eventually, I drifted into a dream.
Rain poured down.
A stranger handed me a jersey.
We got into a cab together…
I woke up suddenly, breathing fast.
Maybe… destiny wanted me to remember.
I stood up, pacing the room.
"Zoi has a camera… he's always watching you."
Mom's words echoed in my mind.
I grabbed Zoi and searched him carefully until I found it—a hidden slot.
Inside… a flash drive.
My hands trembled as I plugged it into my laptop.
The screen flickered.
Videos.
Me… and him.
Laughing. Holding each other. Calling him.
Jackie.
Tears filled my eyes.
It was real.
We were real.
Suddenly, my head spun.
Pain surged through me as memories crashed back—
Kisses.
Dates.
Him teaching me how to swim.
"Jackie…" I whispered.
I stood up immediately.
"I have to stop him."
The next morning, I rushed downstairs.
"Mom, take me to the airport."
"Where are you going?" Dad asked.
"The airport. I remember everything now," I said, smiling through tears.
"Take me along!" Mary shouted.
Within minutes, we were all in the car—Zoi included.
"Faster!" I yelled.
"This is fast, Kania!" Mom replied.
But it didn't feel fast enough.
We arrived.
And there he was.
Standing there.
About to leave.
"Jackie!" I screamed, running toward him.
He turned—and opened his arms.
I ran straight into them.
"Were you really going to leave without making me remember you?" I cried.
"Kania… I thought I lost you," he said, holding me tightly.
"I love you, Kania."
"I love you too, Jackie."
He pulled back slightly, then leaned in.
Our lips met.
Soft. Real. Certain.
"I'm not leaving anymore," he whispered. "We'll go together next week."
I looked at Mom.
She smiled.
"Yes, baby. You can go."
The following week, we left.
He continued his studies.
And I continued mine.
Because in life…
Love is everything.
And true love always shines bright