Before He Forgot Me Again

CHAPTER EIGHT

The First Betrayal

Elena couldn't sleep after receiving Victoria's messages.

She kept staring at the words on her phone.

Stay away from Adrian Vale.

She knew exactly who had sent them.

Victoria had smiled at her earlier, but there had been something threatening behind that smile.

By morning, Elena decided not to tell Adrian.

She didn't want another fight between him and his family.

But keeping silent became difficult when Victoria arrived at their apartment with Adrian's family lawyer.

Victoria looked perfectly calm.

"Elena, we need to talk."

Elena stepped aside reluctantly.

The lawyer placed a folder on the table.

Inside were photographs of Elena and Adrian, records of her work, their apartment lease, and documents about Adrian's wealth.

Elena's stomach tightened.

Victoria looked through the papers.

"You know the difference between you and Adrian, don't you?"

Elena remained silent.

"He's the heir to a billion-dollar empire. You're a woman he met when he couldn't even remember his own name."

"Are you saying I used him?"

Victoria smiled.

"I'm saying Adrian deserves to know the truth."

Before Elena could respond, the apartment door opened.

Adrian had returned.

His eyes immediately went to Victoria.

"What are you doing here?"

Victoria stood.

"I came because I was worried about you."

Adrian's expression hardened.

"I'm fine."

Victoria glanced at Elena.

"Are you sure?"

Adrian looked confused.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

The lawyer quietly pushed the folder toward him.

Adrian opened it.

His expression changed as he read.

"Where did you get these?"

"Your family investigated Elena," Victoria replied.

Elena's heart sank.

Adrian looked at the documents again.

"They prove nothing."

Victoria's voice remained gentle.

"I'm not accusing her of anything."

She paused.

"I'm asking you to be careful."

Elena couldn't take it anymore.

"I never asked for his money."

Victoria looked at her.

"But you accepted his love, his home, and his protection."

"I loved him before I knew who he was."

Adrian immediately looked at Elena.

For a moment, his expression softened.

"I believe her."

Victoria's smile disappeared for just a second.

Then she quickly hid it.

"I hope you're right."

She turned toward the door.

But before leaving, she quietly said:

"Just remember, Adrian... you don't remember how you met her."

The words stayed in his mind long after she left.

That night, Adrian couldn't sleep.

He stared at the ceiling, trying to remember.

How had he met Elena?

Why had he chosen her?

Why couldn't his memories return?

Beside him, Elena was asleep.

He turned toward her.

Even without remembering their past, his heart still reacted whenever he looked at her.

He gently touched her hand.

"I know I love you," he whispered.

But a small doubt had already entered his mind.

And Victoria knew exactly what she was doing.

The next morning, Elena took the children to the park.

She wanted to escape the tension for a few hours.

Leo ran toward the playground while Lily stood beside her.

Then Elena noticed a black car parked across the street.

The same car from the previous night.

Her heart began to race.

She quickly gathered the children and returned home.

But someone was already waiting outside her apartment.

It was a stranger.

He handed her an envelope.

"Someone asked me to give this to you."

Elena opened it.

Inside was an old photograph.

Her blood ran cold.

It showed Adrian standing beside Victoria years before his accident.

On the back of the photograph was a handwritten message:

You were never part of his world.

Elena stared at the picture.

For the first time, fear replaced anger.

She realized Victoria wasn't trying to scare her away anymore.

She was trying to destroy her marriage.

And Elena had no idea how far Victoria was willing to go.