He Forgot Her, Then Lost Her Forever

Three years after Zachary Penrose lost his memory, Josselyn Treneer decided to end her life. She had been suffering from cancer. After taking five hundred sleeping pills, she quietly turned on the gas tap in her home. When she woke up again, Ryland Penrose, Zachary's father, and Rosina Penrose, Zachary's mother, stood by the ICU bed with cold expressions. "Give up on that idea," Ryland said sharply. "Even if you try to kill yourself ten thousand times, my son will never so much as glance at you." "I advise you to sign the divorce papers as soon as possible," Rosina cut in. "The Brock family's daughter is a famous socialite in Joltspire City. She's a perfect match for the Penrose family, and she's carrying Zachary's child—you can't compare to her at all." Those words stabbed straight into her heart. Three years prior, Zachary had loved her more than anything. He'd drive over 550 miles just to pick a mountain rose for her on a mountaintop—all because she'd lingered in front of one at a photography exhibition for three seconds. When she was in terrible pain from menstrual cramps, he walked away from a multi-billion-dollar order. He braved the heavy rain to search every herbal medicine shop in Joltspire City for a remedy, then stayed up all night to boil a pain-relieving soup for her. In the end, he caught pneumonia and had a high fever. Later, when she planned to go abroad as a war doctor, Zachary defied his family's fierce opposition. He knelt in the family shrine for three days and three nights as punishment. He was willing to risk being disowned by the family just to become a special forces soldier. When he showed up in front of her in a tight military uniform, she cried. He kissed her forehead gently, held her close, and said, "Don't cry—it hurts me to see you sad." They got married and registered their union. They were the envy of every couple in the special forces. Josselyn thought happiness would last forever. But on their final rescue mission, she was taken hostage by violent thugs, with bombs strapped all over her body. With fifty-two seconds left on the countdown, Zachary didn't hesitate to shoot himself. Covered in blood, he demanded to swap places with her, mouthing the words "I love you" silently. A single explosion tore them apart, separating life from death. Every time she thought of that moment, even breathing hurt. Josselyn waited by his grave that held no body. What she got instead was news that Zachary was alive—and that he'd lost his memory and fallen for Darlene Brock. For three years, he watched her break down in agony. Yet he gave all his tenderness to Darlene—loving her just as he'd loved Josselyn once. Josselyn didn't know if this was a gift or a cruelty from fate. She begged, she suffered, she tried to take her own life. Over one thousand and ninety-five days, she shed countless tears. But Zachary never so much as glanced at her. At first, he was cold as a stranger; later, he grew more and more disgusted with her, even letting Darlene get pregnant. Quick footsteps sounded at the door. Josselyn looked up. A cold, elegant man walked in, wearing a black suit. He'd unbuttoned one shirt collar, revealing a sliver of his delicate collarbone. Zachary grabbed her chin tightly, the force making her eyes sting with pain. His eyes were as cold as ice. "Did you turn on the gas? Don't you know Darlene's pregnant?" Her voice cracked. "I didn't know Ms. Brock would be at the villa." "Don't play the victim in front of me." He shot her a cold look, his eyes sharp. "Darlene is the woman I love most. She's my fiancée. I warn you—don't get any wrong ideas." The man who'd once loved her deeply now looked at her with coldness and detachment. Three years prior, he'd blush so hard his ears turned red just from looking at her for a second. His hands would sweat nervously when he held hers, and his body would shake when he kissed her. He'd be willing to die to save her—his eyes full of love, a memory she'd carried for three whole years. But now... those eyes held nothing but disgust. Josselyn felt a cold numbness spread through her body. Her eyes felt dry, but not a single tear fell. She said, her throat rough, "Zachary, let's get a divorce." The air went silent for a few short seconds. Zachary suddenly let out a cold laugh, a sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're trying to trick me into divorcing again, then spiking my coffee, aren't you, Josselyn? Using the same trick twice?" Josselyn shook her head. "It's not like that. This time it's really..." "Enough," Zachary cut her off impatiently. "Darlene's shaken up. I have to go take care of her—I don't have time for your nonsense." Watching him walk away, Josselyn's eyes stung. The man who'd once loved her more than life now wouldn't even spare her a single word. Shortly after they left, the nurse on duty came to urge her to pay the bill. "Ms. Treneer, here's your medical bill—it's ten thousand dollars total." Josselyn checked the balance in her bank account, her heart aching. "I can't pay that all at once. Can I owe you the money? I'll transfer it tomorrow." The nurse hesitated for a moment, then went through the approval process anyway. Other nurses outside started whispering. "What good is being pretty if you just get cast aside like that? She can't even come up with ten thousand dollars for medical bills." "I thought Mr. Penrose cared about her so much. When she was harassed by thugs before, he'd just had surgery and still fought them—he ended up getting more stitches. When her boss bullied and slandered her, he walked away from a hundred-million-dollar order to stand up for her, almost tearing the hospital apart..." Listening to those heart-wrenching words, she closed her eyes gently, a bitter smile on her lips. 'Josselyn, stop being foolish. Even if you end your life, who will care? He doesn't love you anymore. Why not go somewhere no one knows you and enjoy your last days?' She checked out of the hospital alone, then took a taxi to the immigration office. "Hello, I want to cancel all my domestic records and apply for immigration." The staff clearly recognized her face—Zachary's pursuit of her had made headlines all over Joltspire City. She hesitated, then said, "Are you sure? Once canceled, you'll no longer exist in the country's records." Josselyn took a deep breath. "I'm sure." From now on, she and Zachary would go their separate ways. Who he married, who he spent the rest of his life with—none of it would matter to her anymore.