Chapter 2 The Man Who Forgot Me

Lola Tanner

The cold seeped into my bones. I pulled my coat tighter around me, but it did nothing to block the sharp wind cutting through my skin.

I had been sitting on this park bench for hours, my legs too numb to move, my stomach empty.

I had nothing left.

I could just as well die...

After getting discharged early, I spent days at a cheap motel until the money my parents gave me ran out.

Then came the shelters, the endless job hunts, the rejections. The few jobs I managed to get didn't last.

A café owner fired me after a week for being "too slow." A housekeeping job let me go when I fainted mid-shift from exhaustion.

What was the whole world expecting from someone who just lost a kidney?

I swallowed hard, pressing a hand to my stomach. I hadn't eaten since yesterday.

People walked past me without a glance. The entire world was moving without care, comfortable in the warmth of their own coats and those who managed to turn to me only looked away, their faces indifferent. I used to be one of them-until I wasn't.

A crumpled newspaper sat beside me on the bench, blown by the wind. My eyes fell on a familiar name printed in bold letters.

"Lucius Kensinger, the rising business mogul, makes a grand entrance at this year's charity gala."

My breath caught. The article had a picture-a clear shot of him stepping out of a luxury car, dressed in a sleek suit, flashing that same confident smirk. The man who had vanished after taking my kidney.

Alive. Healthy. Rich.

I sat there, stunned, the paper crinkling in my trembling hands. He was living his best life while I was rotting away.

Something inside me snapped.

By the time I shot up from the bench, my mind was already made up. I was going to find him.

I was going to get answers.

************

I stood outside the grand venue of the charity gala, staring up at the towering building. Luxury cars lined the entrance. There were guests stepping out in designer gowns and suits.

The security at the door glanced at me once and turned away, not even bothering to ask if I belonged there.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and walked in.

No one stopped me. I didn't know if it was confidence or the sheer determination on my face, but I slipped past security and into the lavish ballroom with the best dress I could afford... which was far less than what I was seeing other women wear.

I navigated my way through the corridors and into the main ballroom.

And there he was.

Lucius Kensinger.

My heart pounded as I took in the sight of him, standing near the bar, talking to a group of businessmen. He looked different-sharper, more polished-but it was him.

The man who had disappeared on me.

I didn't think. My feet moved before my brain could catch up.

"Lucius!"

His name left my lips in a breathless gasp, but it was loud enough for him to hear.

He turned, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

And then-nothing.

No flicker of recognition. No shock. Just polite confusion, as if I were a stranger.

"Can I help you?" His voice was smooth, indifferent.

I froze. "Lucius... it's me. Lola."

Silence.

His brows furrowed slightly, but the confusion remained. "I'm sorry. Do I know you?"

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

I searched his face, waiting-praying-for something. A flicker of memory. A shadow of the man who once held me, whispered promises to me, told me he loved me.

Nothing.

"Lucius," I tried again, my voice shaking, "it's me, Lola Tanner. You-"

A hand slid onto his arm, and I stiffened as another voice joined in.

"Is there a problem, darling?"

I turned-and there she was.

Scarlett.

No other but Lucius' vicious ex girlfriend! The same one that once slept with his friend!

What was she doing here with him?

Lucius hated her!

She looked stunning in a blood-red dress, her lips curled into a knowing smirk.

She glanced at me once before leaning into Lucius as if she belonged there.

I felt the air leave my lungs.

"Scarlett?" I whispered.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh? Do you know me?"

My nails dug into my palms. "What the hell is going on?" I turned back to Lucius, desperate. "Lucius, what are you doing with Scarlett? Are you both back together? I was there with you through thick and thin! I was with you before your surgery. I even-"

Scarlett's laugh cut me off. "Oh, sweetheart, there must be a mistake."

I flinched.

Scarlett smiled, her nails tracing Lucius' sleeve. "Lucius, darling, I think she's confused. Maybe a fan of your work?" She turned to me in the most degrading way. "It happens all the time. Poor thing."

Lucius frowned slightly, looking at me again, but there was no warmth in his gaze.

I shook my head violently. "No. No, this isn't right. Lucius, how can you not recognize me! I was with you before... before you-" My throat closed up.

Lucius sighed. "Miss, I don't know who you are. If you're looking for a donation or something-"

"A donation?!" My voice cracked. "Lucius, I gave you my kidney!"

The moment the words left my mouth, the air in the ballroom changed. The guests nearby glanced our way.

Lucius stiffened.

Scarlett's eyes darkened.

I breathed heavily, watching Lucius' face. There had to be something-anything-that showed he remembered.

That this was just some twisted joke.

But all I got was cold detachment.

Scarlett laughed again, but this time, it was sharper. "Oh, honey, now I know you're mistaken." She wrapped herself tighter around Lucius. "I was the one who saved Lucius. I was there for him during his surgery. I'm the reason he's alive."

My blood ran cold.

"What?" I whispered.

Lucius gave me a final, dismissive look. "I think you should leave."

I stared at him, my mind spinning, my chest caving in.

"Lucius..." My voice broke. "Please-"

Scarlett signaled to a security guard. "Escort her out. She's disturbing the guests."

I barely processed the hands grabbing my arms, dragging me toward the exit.

"Lucius, it's me, Lola!" I screamed. "You know me!"

He didn't move. Didn't react.

He simply turned away.

The doors slammed shut behind me, and I was thrown out, slammed hard to the ground, onto the cold pavement outside.

Pain immediately rammed through my stomach as I laid on the filthy ground. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to cry.

How was it that Lucius had forgotten me? Was that even possible?

As I slouched away from the building, I knew I had just caused a scene and everyone was literally watching me, but I didn't care.

The hurt and betrayal was just too deep.