1 The night before we were supposed to get our marriage license, I walked in on my fiancé and my best friend kissing on our wedding bed. In a state of sheer panic, I tumbled down the stairs, suffering a severe traumatic brain injury. When I finally woke up, I had developed a rare form of intermittent amnesia. My memory was trapped on the day I first tried on my wedding dress, resetting automatically every seven days. For the past six months, my fiancé and my best friend stayed by my side. Alongside my parents, they showered me with meticulous, unwavering care. I truly believed I was surrounded by love. Until today, when I overheard Amanda’s hushed voice through the crack in the door. “What if Summer sees you kissing me like this?” Lucas gave a soft, careless laugh. “What is there to fear? Tomorrow is the seventh day. She will wake up and forget everything all over again. In her heart, we will always be the people who love her most.” My hands trembled violently around the glass tumbler I was holding. He had no idea that my memory had fully returned. I did not just remember the betrayal on the eve of our marriage. I remembered every detail of the past six months. I remembered how they had used the flaws in my mind to shamelessly carry on their affair right under my nose. I turned around, walked quietly back to my room, and booked a one-way ticket to Europe for tomorrow. From now on, no matter how vast the world was, they would no longer be a part of my life. … “Good morning, Summer. How did you sleep last night?” Amanda stood in the doorway, holding a glass of warm milk, her face beaming with a sweet, innocent smile. I flipped my phone face down onto the desk, concealing the confirmation text for my flight. I raised my head and looked at her innocent face. Six months ago, this exact face was tilted up on my wedding bed, welcoming Lucas’s kiss. “I slept fine,” I said, my voice completely flat. Amanda walked over and set the milk beside my hand. Her eyes darted around my desk, scanning for anything unusual. Finding nothing, her smile widened. “Lucas said you had a high fever last night. He specifically asked me to warm up some milk for you. Drink it while it’s hot. Don’t let our good intentions go to waste.” She emphasized the words “good intentions” with deliberate weight. I looked at the steaming glass. A sudden wave of nausea churned in my stomach. Ever since I got sick, Lucas had stayed by my bedside every single time I ran a fever, staying awake through the night to care for me. I used to think that was devotion. Until last night, when I reviewed the security footage from our house and heard him tell Amanda: “Her lucid periods are getting longer lately. I will take her to the clinic next week. Let us increase the dosage on that medication the doctor mentioned.” Amanda had nestled into his chest, her tone dripping with mock pity. “It must be so hard on you, having to manage this invalid.” “It is no trouble,” Lucas had replied smoothly. “For you, I am willing to do anything.” Listening to them exchange sweet vows of devotion had torn my heart to shreds. The tender care I had cherished was nothing more than Lucas monitoring a broken machine that threatened to malfunction at any moment. Lucas walked into the room. Seeing Amanda so close to me, his brow furrowed slightly. “Why are you still in here? Summer needs her rest,” he said. Amanda turned to leave. As she passed Lucas, her fingers subtly brushed against the hem of his jacket. Lucas’s gaze darkened, but he did not pull away. Every single gesture fell directly into my eyes. Once the door closed, only Lucas and I remained in the room. He stepped up to me, naturally reaching out to press the back of his hand against my forehead. “Fever is gone,” he exhaled softly, his tone laced with heart-wrenching tenderness. “Summer, do you have any idea how terrified I was last night?” I stared into his affectionate eyes. For the past six months, those eyes had been my only anchor. Whenever I faced the terrifying unknown of my memory loss, he was the one who held my hand and whispered that everything would be alright. He told me I was his world, that we would have the grandest wedding imaginable. Back then, I was moved to tears. Now, a bone-chilling cold swept through me. “Lucas,” I murmured. “If one day I remembered everything, would you be happy?” Lucas’s fingertips went stiff. A flash of panic darted through the depths of his eyes, though he masked it almost instantly behind a warm, smooth smile. He pulled me into his chest, resting his chin lightly on the crown of my head. “Silly girl. Whether you remember or not, you are my wife. As long as you stay by my side, I am happy.” I rested against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. Suddenly, everything felt utterly meaningless. I pushed him away gently. “I am tired. I want to sleep for a bit.” Lucas caught off guard. Normally, I would cling to him at this hour, asking endless questions about our wedding preparations. But he did not dwell on it. He simply tucked the duvet neatly around my shoulders. “Alright, get some rest. Tomorrow, I will take you to try on your wedding dress.” He leaned down, intending to kiss my forehead. I turned my head away, avoiding his touch. His lips brushed uselessly against my cheek. He looked at me, a flicker of scrutiny creeping into his gaze. “Summer, what is wrong?” I closed my eyes. “Just a slight headache.” Lucas remained silent for a moment. “Alright, I will let you rest.” He turned and walked out. The moment the door clicked shut, I opened my eyes and stared up at the ceiling. Tomorrow would be the seventh day. It would also be the day I vanished. Lucas, your little game is over. In the afternoon, my parents arrived. My mother carried a thermal flask while my father followed behind with boxes of health supplements. Amanda walked closely alongside them, affectionately holding my father’s arm. “Dad, Summer just recovered from a fever. She shouldn’t eat anything too greasy,” Amanda said softly. My father patted the back of her hand with a fond smile. “Amanda is always so thoughtful.” I leaned back against the sofa, watching the three of them project an image of familial warmth without a trace of emotion. Six months ago, the accident had damaged my brain. Fearing my parents would sink into deep despair, Amanda had volunteered to become their goddaughter, promising to care for them in their old age. At first, I was touched. Amanda and I had been like sisters, after all. It did not take long for me to realize how catastrophically wrong I had been. Amanda appeared in front of my parents more and more frequently, subtly eroding my place in the family. What truly broke my heart, however, was my parents’ attitude. In the security footage I had recovered, my mother had smiled warmly at Amanda and Lucas. “Dear, don’t you think Amanda and Lucas look so much better together? Summer’s condition isn’t fit for marriage anyway. Why not just bless these two instead?” My father had nodded repeatedly in agreement. All four of them had laughed together, completely unconcerned about me as I lay upstairs, unconscious with a raging fever. My mother poured the soup into a bowl and brought it over to me. “Summer, sweetheart, have a taste.” The maternal devotion in her eyes was almost overflowing. Yet this was the very mother who had handed my love to someone else on a silver platter, forcing me to live as a hidden third wheel for six long months. “I don’t want it,” I replied coldly. My mother froze, her hands hovering awkwardly in the air, unsure of whether to pull the bowl back or push it forward. Lucas stepped in smoothly to diffuse the tension. “Mom, Summer isn’t feeling well today. I was actually just about to take her to the clinic for a checkup. She can drink your soup when she feels better.” His words were seamless, and Amanda chimed in seamlessly right on cue. Sitting beside them, I felt like a puppet being casually arranged. Lucas looked down at me, his tone dripping with sweetness. “Let’s go, Summer. I’ll take you to the clinic. We still have to try on your dress tomorrow, so we can’t afford any delays.” I looked at the four people who used to be closest to me in the world. My parents, my fiancé, my godsister. They had banded together to deceive a helpless invalid. After all, I had fluid on my brain. After all, my memory could only hold seven days. A faint smile touched my lips. I turned to look at Lucas with a vacant expression. “Alright, let me get my coat.” When we arrived at the clinic, Lucas went through his usual routine, seeking out the doctor for a private consultation, putting on a flawless display of deep concern. If I hadn’t collapsed on the street two weeks ago and been rushed to a real hospital by a kind stranger, I never would have known the truth. During emergency treatment, the doctors cleared the fluid pressing against my nerves, restoring my memory. I never would have discovered that Lucas had spent a fortune building a mock clinic setup just to keep me under control. Every single medical staff member here was an actor hired to keep the lie alive. After a series of fake examinations, Lucas returned holding a strip of pills, his face clouded with worry. “Summer, the doctor said your condition is worsening. The fluid has spread again. Starting today, we have to double your dosage.” I looked at the dozen pills of various shapes and sizes in his palm. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of my mouth. “Lucas, do I really have to take these? You said it didn’t matter if I ever remembered, that you would love me forever…” Before I could finish, Lucas raised his voice slightly, cutting me off. “Summer, this is no time to throw a tantrum! Tomorrow is the dress fitting, and the wedding is next week. This is critical!” I stared at his unyielding expression, chose not to push further, and swallowed the handful of pills at once. Only then did a satisfied smile return to his face. He pulled out his phone, stepping aside as he spoke. “Rest here for a moment while I call your parents to let them know you’re alright.” Watching his back, I walked into the restroom, jammed my fingers down my throat, and threw up until my stomach turned inside out. The pills washed down the drain. I stared at my pale reflection in the mirror, my resolve hardening into steel. Yes, the dress fitting was important, and the wedding was important too. It was just a pity that Lucas would never get to see me wear that dress. That evening, Lucas took me to a high-end private restaurant. It was a habit he had built over the past six months. On the night of the sixth day, he would always take me out for a lavish dinner, claiming it was to celebrate our upcoming wedding. In reality, it was just to keep me calm and ensure I would reset smoothly the following day, just like forcing me to swallow those suppressants. The restaurant had been reserved exclusively for us. A grand piano sat quietly in the center of the dining hall. Lucas held my hand as he guided me to a table. “Take a look and see what you like,” he said, handing me the menu. I didn’t take it. “You order. I like whatever you pick.” Lucas paused, looking at me with a subtle, sharp scrutiny hiding beneath his eyes. “Summer, you are acting very strange today. Usually, you would be begging for the beef Wellington here.” I picked up my water glass and took a small sip. “Is that so? Maybe I just don’t have much of an appetite today.” Lucas didn’t probe any further. He ordered a few dishes I used to favor. While we waited for the food, Amanda arrived. She wore a tailored designer dress and pulled out the chair next to Lucas without an ounce of hesitation. “Lucas, Summer,” she greeted, settling in comfortably. “I just finished fitting my bridesmaid dress and thought I’d drop by for a bite. You don’t mind, do you, Summer?” I looked at her. “Not at all.” Amanda seemed slightly caught off guard by my composure. She raised an eyebrow, her gaze landing on my bare wrist. “Summer, where is the diamond bracelet Lucas gave you? Didn’t you say you’d wear it every single day?” I set my glass down. “I took it off.” “Why?” she asked, putting on an exaggerated look of surprise. “It felt too heavy,” I replied casually. “It was cutting into my skin.” Lucas’s expression darkened instantly. That bracelet was something he had personally bid on during a business trip to South Africa last month. He had told me it represented a love that was one of a kind. “Summer, do you not like it anymore?” His tone carried a subtle edge of danger. I met his gaze dead-on. “It’s not that I dislike it. I just feel like it doesn’t suit me anymore.” Lucas stared at me intently, as if searching my face for the slightest crack in my composure. But he found nothing. Seeing the tension rising, Amanda immediately stepped in to play the peacemaker. “Oh, Summer is probably just tired of wearing the same thing. Lucas, you can just buy her a better one tomorrow, right?” She turned toward me, pointing at her own neck. “Summer, look at this necklace. Does it look good on me?” It was a ruby necklace Lucas had bought at an auction six months ago. Originally, it was meant to be my wedding gift. But after my accident, it found its way onto Amanda’s neck instead. “It looks nice,” I said softly. Amanda smiled triumphantly. “Lucas said the shade really complements my skin tone. Summer, when you try on your wedding dress tomorrow, could you lend me your glass slippers? I have a major audition tomorrow, and I need a pair of statement shoes to hold the floor.” She had finally revealed her true motive. Those glass slippers were custom bridal shoes I had personally helped design. They were one of a kind in the entire world. Lucas frowned. “Amanda, stop causing trouble. Those are Summer’s wedding shoes.” Amanda pouted, tugging gently on Lucas’s sleeve. “But after Summer tries them on tomorrow, she won’t be wearing them again for a while. Leaving them in the closet will just collect dust. Why not let me borrow them? Summer and I are best friends, she definitely won’t mind. Lucas, please just say yes!” Lucas glanced at me. I could see the gears turning in his head, weighing whether to protect the dignity of his memory-impaired fiancée or satisfy the vanity of his secret lover. In the end, he chose the latter. “Summer,” he said, taking my hand and softening his tone. “Amanda is your best friend and our parents’ goddaughter. As her older sister, just let her have her way this once. Tomorrow at the fitting, I will have a new pair sent over.” His hand was warm, but my heart was cold as ice. “Sure,” I pulled my hand back gently. “If she likes them so much, she can just have them.” Lucas froze. Amanda was equally stunned. Neither of them had expected me to yield so easily. “Summer, are you serious?” Lucas asked, genuine disbelief in his voice. “I am,” I looked straight into his eyes. “They’re just a pair of shoes. I don’t want them anymore.” Not just the shoes. I don’t want you anymore, either. The two of them carried on chatting and laughing across the table, but I paid them no mind. Let them play their game. My countdown was almost up anyway. When we left the restaurant, the sky had turned pitch black. Lucas drove us home. The ride was suffocatingly quiet. He didn’t turn on the radio, nor did he initiate a conversation. He simply kept checking on me through the rearview mirror every few minutes. I leaned against the window, watching the city lights blur past. I had traveled this same road for six months, every cycle filled with naive anticipation for a wedding dress fitting, only to wake up in despair again. The car pulled into the underground garage. Lucas parked, but he didn’t unbuckle his seatbelt right away. He turned his body toward me. “Summer. What is wrong with you today?” A hint of suppressed irritation leaked into his voice. “In the past, you would never give your things away to anyone else. And you would never look at me with those eyes.” I met his gaze. “What kind of eyes?” Lucas fell silent, struggling to find the right words. “Like you are looking at a total stranger,” he finally said. I let out a soft laugh. “Lucas, you are overthinking. I just feel like since we are getting married, there is no need to fuss over minor details.” Lucas stared at me, his brows tightly knit. Suddenly, he leaned over, unbuckled my seatbelt, and pulled me into a tight embrace. “Summer, don’t scare me,” he muttered, burying his face into the crook of my neck, his voice trembling slightly. “You are all I have left.” A faint trace of perfume hit my nose. It was Amanda’s signature scent. I closed my eyes, hiding the repulsion flooding my chest, and gently patted his back. “Lucas, let’s go upstairs. I am really tired.” Lucas released me, searching my eyes as if trying to confirm whether I was truly alright. Finally, he nodded. “Okay.” Back inside the house, Lucas drew my bathwater just as he always did, then brought out the hairdryer to dry my hair. His movements were gentle, his fingers running through my strands with comforting warmth. “Summer,” he spoke over the hum of the dryer. “Tomorrow, right after the fitting, we will go get our marriage license.” I looked at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes were focused, dripping with apparent devotion. If my memory hadn’t returned, if I hadn’t overheard his conversation this morning, I truly would have believed he loved me to his core. “Alright,” I whispered to my reflection. Once my hair was dry, Lucas carried me to bed and pressed a kiss onto my forehead. “Goodnight, my future Mrs. Crawford.” I shut my eyes. “Goodnight.” I waited until I heard the door close and his footsteps fade down the hallway before opening my eyes. I pulled back the covers and stepped out of bed, pulling a pre-packed suitcase from beneath the frame. Inside were just a few basic pieces of clothing and my passport. Then, I slid the engagement ring off my left ring finger. It was a five-carat pink diamond. Lucas had once claimed it represented his unconditional love for me. I placed the ring directly on top of the original purchase receipt on the nightstand. Finally, I pulled out my phone and blocked every single contact number belonging to Lucas, Amanda, and my parents. When everything was done, I checked the wall clock. Three in the morning. Four hours until my flight. I sat on the edge of the bed, looking around the room where I had been confined for the last six months. It was filled with traces of Lucas: the plush toys he bought, the curtains he picked, the wooden carvings he crafted by hand. I used to think this was my safe haven. Only now did I realize it was a meticulously constructed cage. I stood up, took the handle of my suitcase, and walked toward the door without a single trace of hesitation. Lucas, your “seventh day” will never come again.
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