Chapter 1

Isabella said she didn' t remember me, her husband.

Not after that fender bender last month.

Amnesia, the doctors called it, but her family doctor, old Dr. Henderson, he looked worried.

He said it was unusual.

Izzy just smiled, a cool, distant smile I didn't recognize.

Tonight, she wanted to go to a dinner.

Julian' s dinner.

Julian Croft, her childhood friend, always around, always needing something.

He was trying to get money from some rich guys for his latest bad idea.

"You have to come, Ethan," Izzy said. Her voice was flat.

"It's important for Julian."

"Izzy, you know about my allergy," I told her, my voice quiet.

Peanuts.

Not just a rash, but my throat closing, everything shutting down.

She knew. We' d been married five years. I almost died once before she met me.

"Don't be dramatic, Ethan," she said, turning away to look at her dress. "They won't put peanuts in everything."

Julian stood by the door, a smirk on his face.

He knew about my allergy too. I' d told him, years ago, at a barbecue.

He just watched us.

The restaurant was fancy, loud.

Julian was charming everyone, Izzy laughing at his jokes, her hand on his arm.

She didn' t look at me once.

The food came. A fancy salad with some kind of sauce.

"Try this, Ethan," Julian said, pushing a bowl towards me. "It's the chef's special."

Isabella nodded. "Yes, Ethan. Eat something."

Her eyes were cold.

I looked at the salad. I couldn't smell peanuts.

But Julian' s smile was too wide.

"I' m not very hungry," I said.

"Don't be rude," Isabella snapped. "Julian' s guests are watching."

She picked up a forkful and held it to my lips.

"Eat."

It was an order.

I hesitated. Her face was hard.

This wasn' t my Izzy.

Or maybe it was, and I hadn't wanted to see it.

I ate the bite.

It tasted strange. Sweet, then a weird burn.

My throat started to itch almost right away.

I stood up, knocking my chair back.

"Peanuts," I choked out. "It has peanuts."

Julian raised an eyebrow. "Really? Are you sure?"

Isabella sighed, annoyed. "Oh, Ethan, always something with you."

I couldn't breathe. My chest was tight.

I fumbled for my EpiPen, but I' d left it in my other jacket. Izzy had rushed me out.

"Hospital," I gasped, looking at her.

She didn't move.

"He' s just seeking attention," Julian said to the table, his voice smooth. "He does this sometimes."

My vision started to blur.

I fell.

The last thing I saw was Isabella looking down at me, her face blank, before she turned back to laugh at something Julian said.

Darkness.

Just terrible, burning darkness.