Chapter 3

He gripped the broken window latch I had pried open, his eyes blazing with fury.

He knew my personality too well. I used to be docile. I would hesitate for a long time before even raising my voice to him, let alone break through a window to escape.

But now, I had dared to brazenly defy him.

He took a deep breath, yet his chest felt as if a boulder was pressing down on it, stifling him.

His anger was mixed with an indescribable irritation and a hint of panic he refused to acknowledge.

The servants in the living room, seeing his dark expression, shrank back, pretending to be busy, fearful of catching his ire.

Rylan walked to the center of the living room, his gaze sweeping over the empty sofa, recalling how I used to wait for him there every morning. But now, there was nothing here.

A sudden emptiness surged within him.

The next moment, he raised his arm and with a swift motion, sent the items on the table crashing into countless pieces.

Rylan stared at the shards on the floor, the veins on his forehead throbbing.

His usual calm and composed demeanor was gone, leaving only a furious rage.

He had expected me to apologize tearfully, trailing behind him like countless times before. But I didn't.

I had not only run away but left without even a word.

"Get everyone here!" he shouted at the servants, his voice a roar, "Send people out to find her! Search every nook and cranny of the city if you must, but find Tessa!"

The servants hurriedly complied, rushing to arrange the search, terrified of the consequences of delay.

Rylan stood there, his gaze dark and menacing.

Suddenly, he bent down, picked up a sharp shard of porcelain, and cut his hand deeply.

He then took a picture of the wound and sent it to me.

...

By the time I received his message, I had already finished washing up and was lying in bed.

Exhaustion swept over me. Several days of hunger and torment had taken a toll on my body.

Just now, to avoid being laughed at, I specifically chased everyone away before wolfing down my food.

My phone was a new one from Aydan.

I ignored Rylan's message and prepared to sleep.

As I was drifting off, I heard Aydan's voice from the next room, speaking on the phone.

Though quiet, I could catch a few words.

"Rylan, Tessa is with me." His tone was calm and steady.

Whatever was said on the other end, Aydan continued, "She's not in great shape. She needs rest. There's no need for you to worry."

Rylan held his phone, his expression dark.

Aydan's call extinguished his frantic anxiety over not finding me, yet ignited a new, inexplicable anger.

"Who was that?" Madeline asked, holding her bag, ready to leave.

"Aydan," Rylan tossed the phone onto the sofa, "Tessa is with him."

Surprise flickered across Madeline's face, then relief. "It's good she's with him. I was worried that something might happen to Tessa if she went out alone."

She said, making a move to leave. "I should get going, I've imposed on you long enough."

Rylan didn't hear her.

He stared out into the dark night, his emotions a tangled mess.

In the past, whenever I saw him injured, I would be the first person to appear in front of him.

But now, I seemed to have cast him aside.

The thought sent a wave of panic down his spine, clutching at his heart until he could hardly breathe.

How did I, who used to only have eyes for him, become so disobedient after losing my memory?

Seeing that he ignored her, Madeline said again, "Rylan, I want to go to the art exhibition in the south of the city tomorrow. I heard that the paintings on display this time are magnificent. Will you go with me?"

Rylan snapped back to reality, looking at the gentle Madeline beside him, his irritation slowly dissipating.

Compared to my reckless behavior, she was so much more considerate.

He nodded, "Alright, I'll go with you tomorrow."

...

When I woke up and went downstairs, I saw the agreement lying on the table.

I read it carefully, and after confirming everything was correct, I signed my name without hesitation.

Aydan watched as I signed, a hint of a smile in his eyes, before signing his name as well.

"Let's go to the court," he said naturally, putting the agreement away.

The court wasn't busy, and the process was quick.

When the marriage certificate was handed to me, a sense of unreality washed over me.

Overnight, I was married!

"Snap out of it," Aydan said, taking my hand, "I'll take you out for a nice meal, and then we'll go somewhere this afternoon."

"Where?" I asked, looking up at him.

"To the art exhibition in Southbay. I heard Madeline really wants to go," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.

After eating, Aydan had arranged for someone to pick us up.

The exhibition hall was large, filled with paintings and sculptures of various styles, and many visitors were there to see them.

I stayed by Aydan's side as he patiently explained the background of each piece.

Suddenly, he remembered something interesting. "You used to love painting."

I tightened my grip on his hand and turned to him.

It was the first time someone had told me about my past.

"Once, for Rylan's birthday, you spent three months drawing a picture for him, and it's said you stayed up all night several times to finish it. You excitedly presented it to him, only for him to toss it aside while he was picking out a gift for Madeline." His fingers gently brushed the back of my hand, his voice devoid of emotion.

My heart felt as if it were being squeezed by something, a dull ache spreading through my chest, yet I still couldn't recall any details.

"Later, Madeline saw the painting and said she liked the colors. Rylan gave it to her." Aydan continued, leading me forward, "You didn't cry or make a fuss, you just never mentioned painting again."

These unfamiliar past events, through his words, formed a vague picture in my mind, bringing a strange sense of melancholy.

At that moment, I suddenly wanted to know about my past.

I wanted to know if Rylan, like a brother to me, was always so biased.

But...

A hint of a smile flickered in my eyes. "Are you trying to sow discord between my brother and me?"

He looked at me instinctively, "Can he be considered your brother?"

True enough, I was just someone Rylan had taken in.

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind us.

"Rylan, this painting is so unique. Let's take a picture here." It was Madeline.

Aydan and I exchanged a glance, a knowing smile in his eyes.

He then wrapped his arm around my shoulders, whispering, "Things are about to get interesting."

I let him hold me and turned towards the voice.

Rylan was standing not far away with Madeline, seemingly aware of our gaze, and they turned to look at us.

Rylan's face darkened immediately upon seeing me with Aydan.

"Tessa!" he barked, anger evident in his voice, "What are you doing here with him?"

Madeline quickly moved to Rylan's side, holding his arm, "Tessa, did you hear we were coming and follow us? There's really nothing between Rylan and me..."

I scoffed, "You and Rylan can do whatever you like."