He Remembered, But No One Else Did

Chapter 2 The Coach Who Looked Just Like Her

When Eveline stepped back onto the VIP ski run, the wind had picked up, and the snow was falling harder than before.

Just a few steps away, Brenton kept one hand lightly on the small of Clare's back, guiding her with the kind of careful tenderness most people reserve for something priceless and fragile.

"Coach still isn't here?" Clare pouted, her voice turning whiny. "Frederick, who on earth did you even book?"

Eveline touched the edge of her mask to make sure it sat perfectly, lowered her snow goggles, and walked straight up to them. "Hello, I'm your assistant for today, Vivian Cruz."

She had rolled the fake name around on her tongue three times before it came out smoothly. Inside the mask, her warm breath fogged up the fabric, blurring her vision.

Brenton gave a careless nod, but his gaze never left the girl tucked against him.

He did not spare Eveline a single glance. Clare, however, tilted her head and studied her for a second. "Vivian, you look kind of familiar. And your voice… it sounds familiar too."

Brenton finally turned his eyes toward her.

Eveline's heart thumped painfully against her ribs.

Even covered head to toe, a tiny part of her panicked at the thought that he might recognize her.

Clare's eyes widened. "Wait, I got it! She kind of looks like Eveline."

On the outside, Eveline stayed still and silent, but under the mask, her lips pressed into a thin, bloodless line.

Brenton's gaze drifted over her like falling snow, light and indifferent. "She would never come here. That weak little body of hers catches a cold every other day. One run on Kestrel Peak and she'd be flat on her back."

His tone was flat, almost bored, as if the idea itself was tedious.

One of the guys beside him jumped in. "Frederick, what's even wrong with Eveline? I've never met anyone more fragile in my life."

Brenton shoved his hands into his pockets. "Who knows? Maybe she's just paying for all the shady things she's done."

Clare covered her mouth and let out a soft giggle. "Frederick, you really can't stand her at all, can you?"

Brenton frowned, voice sharpening. "You have no idea. Last time Mason showed up dressed like a regular worker to visit me, Eveline figured it out instantly. She wouldn't even let him stay for a meal and told me not to hang out with him anymore. I've never seen a girl so obsessed with money and status. The second she saw him in cheap clothes, she dropped every bit of politeness."

He kept going, listing every little thing she supposedly did wrong, his irritation growing with each word.

Eveline listened in silence, feeling every sentence slice through her chest like a blade.

She could read faces and sense the energy around people. Mason Rowe, the friend Brenton complained about, had been surrounded by dark, dangerous luck. That was the only reason she had tried to keep Brenton away from him. She never imagined her warning would turn into this kind of deep resentment.

Brenton brushed a few flakes off his sleeve. "Whatever, forget her. Clare, if this coach reminds you too much of Eveline, we'll just get someone else right now."

The down jacket he wore was the exact one Eveline had seen on f*******: and fallen in love with.

Back then, she had pointed at the screen, eyes bright, and told him seriously, "You would look way better in that than the model does."

He had smiled and signed back, "That thing costs a fortune. Just looking is enough."

She had puffed out her chest and promised, "Wait till I get my year-end bonus. I'll buy it for you myself."

He had pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss against her ear, signing quickly: "Eveline, what would I do without you?"

He could not speak a word, yet every ounce of love poured out in those wild, passionate gestures.

She had truly believed he couldn't live without her. Yet here he stood, ready to fire her on the spot just because she "looked like Eveline."

Clare's voice turned syrupy sweet. "No, it's fine. It wouldn't be fair to Vivian. She can't help who she looks like."

"You're the sweetest, Clare."

Eveline watched Brenton gently pat Clare's back, and memories from last week hit her like a wave.

In their video call, he had been choking back tears while scribbling on paper: Eveline, my family's creditors suddenly showed up demanding money from Mom. I'm scared she can't handle it alone, so I won't be able to come home with you this year.

They had always been long-distance, yet he used to drop everything and rush to Soren City just to be with her.

Whenever she worried, she would text him immediately.

Eveline: Is everything okay there? Do you need any help?

Brenton: No, it's too messy here. I don't want you getting dragged into it… What about you? Since I can't come, are you still going back to Gomez Manor alone?

She answered without hesitation.

Eveline: I was only going to bring you to meet Grandma. If you're too busy, there's no point.

Brenton: But your grandma called and asked you to come home for the holidays. Isn't it rude to skip it?

Eveline: It's okay. The Gomez family doesn't need another daughter anyway.

So she quietly canceled her train ticket, hid everything from him, and took this temporary ski-assistant job instead.

Her plan was simple: fifty or sixty dollars an hour during Christmas week. Seven days straight, and she could finally buy him the jacket he wanted so badly.

"Vivian, right?" Brenton's voice pulled her sharply back to the present. "For the next two days, you only need to look after Clare. Money is not an issue, but you must make sure nothing happens to my princess."

He pulled the newest phone out of his pocket and held it out. "Add your contact so we can reach you anytime."