He Left Our Engagement, I Forgot Him

Chapter 4

I drifted off into a restless sleep. When I finally woke up, my mom was hovering over me, her expression etched with worry.

Seeing me staring blankly at the wall, she sighed and shook her head.

"I don't know what got into that kid, Julian," she muttered. "Your Aunt Lynn practically begged him to stay and look after you, but he wouldn't budge. He was dead set on rushing back to that girl from the Knoxx family."

She pulled up a chair and continued, "It's just so strange. Years ago, when you had that terrible high fever and were stuck in bed for three days, your father and I were stuck on business trips abroad. Julian stayed right by your side the entire time. He didn't leave you once."

I kept my eyes fixed on the chandelier above us, my voice flat as I asked, "Is that really true?"

My mom nodded emphatically. "It is. He was genuinely so good to you back then. Even after I hired a private nurse to help out, he wasn't satisfied. He insisted on doing it all himself, watching over you around the clock. By the time you finally recovered, he had caught the bug himself and ended up sick, too. Tell me, isn't that just plain stupid?"

It was pretty stupid. The Ford family isn't exactly hurting for resources. When we get sick, all it takes is one phone call to have a team of private doctors and top-tier caregivers at our door, providing the best care money can buy. Why would he put himself through all that just to end up in a sorry state?

My mom caught me nodding faintly and looked at me with fresh concern. "Claire, you really don't remember him at all? Not even a little bit?"

I looked at her, seeing how stressed she was, and sighed to myself.

It was clear she still thought I was putting on an act. After all, it is pretty weird to have amnesia that specifically deletes only one person from your entire life.

I straightened up as much as I could and met her eyes, my voice steady. "Mom, I really don't remember Julian. To me, he's a complete stranger. I just met him, and honestly? He's arrogant, and he's not very bright. From now on, please don't bring him up in front of me again."

She took a long, quiet breath before finally nodding. "Alright. If you really feel that way, I won't mention him. But Claire, you need to focus on yourself and get back on your feet soon, okay?"

"I will."

I had every intention of getting better, and fast. I wasn't about to let my health suffer because of someone who didn't matter to me.

That would be the biggest letdown of all.