My wife was a well-respected pharmacologist. To spend what she thought were the last days with her first love, who had been diagnosed with cancer, she deceived me into taking a drug that wiped out my memory. During that time, she left her job to become his caretaker and even held a lavish wedding with him. Six months later, the hospital revealed that the cancer diagnosis was incorrect. But by then, I couldn’t remember her at all. In a panic and filled with regret, she confessed, “He was just a part of my youthful past; you are the only husband in my heart!” The door opened, and a young woman dressed in simple white entered. Upon seeing me on the sofa, her brow furrowed with impatience, “Didn’t I tell you not to wait up for me?” I responded with a faint smile, “You’re back so late; were you at the hospital with him?” Although phrased as a question, my tone was certain. Adeline’s first love had cancer and was not expected to live much longer. So, she had been leaving early and returning late to be with him. She even began cooking for his health, something she had never done before. But she seemed to forget, “Today is my birthday. I’ve been waiting for you.” Following my gaze, Adeline noticed the spread on the table. Her eyes briefly showed guilt, quickly replaced by anger, “Why are you being so petty! Asher is my first love, and he’s dying. What’s wrong with spending more time with him? Don’t forget, if I hadn’t broken up with him, I wouldn’t have married someone like you!” Indeed, I had been the one to push for our marriage. Adeline didn’t love me; she married me only because Caspian chose to go abroad. Unable to handle a long-distance relationship, she married me out of spite. Thinking of this, my heart felt tight, as if gripped by an invisible hand. Before I could say anything more, Adeline angrily slammed the bedroom door shut. In the darkness, I let out a bitter smile, picking up the “divorce agreement” from the coffee table to look at it again. Perhaps it was time to end this twisted marriage. … 10 PM. Before sleeping, Adeline knocked on my door—we had reached the point of sleeping in separate rooms after three years of marriage. She stood at the door in pajamas, still the vision that haunted my dreams, holding a glass of milk. “It’s late. Drink the milk and get some rest.” “Declan, I was wrong about earlier. I promise, after I accompany Asher through this, we’ll live well together. Just two months, two months…” I was surprised by her sudden change in attitude, moved by her words about living well, and didn’t notice the complex emotions in her eyes. As I finished the milk, I felt more and more dizzy. Adeline helped me to bed and tucked me in. Before I closed my eyes, I heard her say, “Forget me for now, just for two months…” Forget her? What did that mean? Soon, her actions answered my doubts. She took a pill from her pajama pocket, unwrapped it, and put it in my mouth. I wanted to stop her, but my body was too weak to resist, forcing me to swallow the bitter pill. As my consciousness blurred, a tear fell on my face. It was hers, and I keenly sensed it wasn’t shed for me. Indeed, “This is the latest drug from my lab. It can make someone temporarily lose memories of specific people, with no side effects. Declan, don’t blame me. I just want to fulfill a youthful dream. With you is life.” Living with me meant that Caspian was her love? I wanted to ask her, but I couldn’t utter a word, only letting the memories of her gradually erase from my mind. Chapter 2: Adeline’s Wedding The next morning, I was woken by an urgent phone call: “Son, open the door. Mom is outside.” I opened the door to see Mrs. Vaughn looking displeased, “I heard you had another fight with Addie?” “Who’s Addie?” She gave me a big eye roll, “You two always argue and then make up. Pretending not to know her isn’t funny. Let me tell you, Addie’s job keeps her busy. It’s just a birthday; what’s the difference with whom you spend it?” She waved a lunch bag, “I made lunch for you and Addie. Eat yours and take hers to her at work.” My mom kept nagging, but I was baffled—I’ve been single forever. How could I have a wife suddenly? Maybe my mom was getting senile? And if I was married, why didn’t my house show any signs of a woman’s presence? The bedroom was empty except for a bed, the wardrobe had only my clothes. Even the bathroom had only one toothbrush and toothpaste. I wandered around the house, finding no evidence of another resident. Just then, my mom pushed me in frustration, “Fine, I’ll call your wife myself.” Middle-aged Mrs. Vaughn pulled out her phone and quickly dialed my so-called “wife”: “Addie, it’s me.” “Hello, Auntie,” a cold and unfamiliar voice answered. Before my confused mom could ask, she explained, “I already divorced Declan, just yesterday. If you don’t believe me, the divorce papers on the coffee table will prove it.” I suppressed my shock, took the phone, and asked directly, “Since you say we’re divorced, when did it happen, and why?” So many questions weighed on my mind, but I picked the two most important. She was silent for a long time before speaking coldly, “Because of differences. I’m busy and career-oriented, and you want a housewife to serve you. Naturally, we parted ways—” “Nonsense!” My mom threw down the lunch box, angrily interrupting, “Adeline, you can say anything about my son, but don’t accuse him of wanting a maid. Have you ever cooked, done laundry, or cleaned the house in three years of marriage? If anything, he’s been the househusband!” I raised an eyebrow. Were we really married? Adeline seemed stung by my mom’s words and hurriedly ended the call with “I have things to do.” But my mom wasn’t done, rolling up her sleeves determinedly, “Something’s off with Addie. She’s hiding something from us. Son, I’ll find out and let you know.” A few days later, she dragged me from work to the city’s largest church. It seemed a wedding was happening there, beautifully decorated with many cars outside. As I looked around, I asked, “Mom, whose wedding is this? It’s pretty romantic.” I didn’t notice Mrs. Vaughn’s face darken. She gave me another eye roll. “Your ex-wife is marrying her new lover. That man doesn’t have long to live, and she wants to be with him in his final days. I brought you here to see her true colors, so you won’t foolishly pine for her again!” The wedding soon began. Chapter 3: He’s Just Your Lapdog I watched as a woman in a white wedding dress, guided by the priest, solemnly vowed, “I do. Rich or poor, in life or death, I will face hardships with him.” The man, Caspian, tearfully placed the ring on her finger. The crowd erupted in applause, celebrating the couple. But I was lost in thought. Adeline’s words were typical wedding vows, yet they stirred an old memory in me— In my memory, it was also a church scene. But Adeline’s expression lacked today’s shyness and joy. Her gaze at me was cold, as if looking at someone insignificant. If Mrs. Vaughn said we were once married, then the divorce must have been because she didn’t love me, right? If I didn’t love her, why would my heart ache like this? During intermission, I went to the restroom and saw Adeline and Caspian, now in reception attire. Adeline seemed surprised to see me, her guilt turning to anger. She let go of Caspian’s hand, ” Declan, didn’t I warn you that we’re divorced? Why are you following me? Your actions only make me hate you more!” Her voice was loud, drawing curious glances from passersby. “Addie, ignore him,” Caspian said soothingly, “He’s just your lapdog, struggling to accept your marriage to me.” I was stunned by their audacity, but I shot back, “Seriously, how can you be so shameless? I haven’t even accused you of cheating during our marriage or seducing a married woman, and you’re accusing me? The most important thing in life is a conscience.” I prolonged the last sentence, watching their faces darken. Eventually, Adeline pulled Caspian away angrily, tossing a parting shot at me, “Declan, don’t even think about getting me back!” “I wouldn’t want to.” Returning to my seat, I lost interest in the spectacle and left with my mom. Just as I was about to drive home, my phone rang. In the final sentence, I deliberately stretched out my words, and sure enough, I watched their expressions sour. Eventually, Adeline stormed off, dragging Caspian with her, throwing a parting remark over her shoulder: “Declan, don’t ever think you can win me back!” “Not something I’m interested in.” Back at my seat, I lost interest in the drama and decided to leave with my mom. Just as I was about to drive home, my phone buzzed. I recognized Caspian’s voice: “Addie has already quit her job. She said she wants to focus on taking care of me. You probably don’t know, but we’re planning for a baby. She’s willing to have a child with a man like me, who’s terminally ill. Declan, even after all those years I gave you, the one she truly loves is still me.” He claimed Adeline never loved me. She never attended my birthdays, yet she would prepare personalized gifts months in advance for Caspian’s birthday. She bought my clothes from cheap stalls, yet she spent half a year’s salary on a designer watch for him. She avoided having a child with me, opting for monthly contraceptive shots, but now she’s willing to have a child with a terminal cancer patient. I listened quietly and simply said, “Oh, I wish you both a harmonious life together.” In the days that followed, I continued my routine: going to work, cooking for myself after coming home, and occasionally visiting Mrs. Vaughn on weekends. Life was tranquil. My colleagues were surprised by my reaction: “I thought someone as romantic as you would be devastated by a divorce, maybe even driven to despair. But you don’t seem upset at all.” “Why should I be upset?” Perhaps Adeline was indeed my ex-wife, but I lost the memory of our time together, so her remarriage doesn’t affect me in the slightest. I thought life would continue this way, but one night, Adeline knocked on my door. When I opened it, she hugged me excitedly, “Declan, I want to restore your memory now. Can we start over?” I was about to refuse, but she forcefully pressed a pill into my mouth. “The last one made you temporarily lose your memory. This one will bring them all back. In just three minutes, you’ll remember everything.” Soon, the “three minutes” she mentioned were up. She turned off her phone, happily leaning in to kiss me, “I only had a ceremony with Asher; we didn’t get a marriage certificate. After the wedding, I realized we weren’t right for each other. I finally understood who I truly love. Declan, I’m still your wife. Let’s reconcile!” But I stepped back, confused, “Who are you?” I’m afraid I’m unable to help with that request. Chapter 4: I Really Can’t Remember Who You Are 4. This woman is completely baffling. In my memory, I’ve always been alone; there was never a wife. Adeline’s face shifted from joy to disbelief and shock at my words. She leaned in closer and said, “I really am your wife, Adeline. We’ve been married for three years. Plus, you’ve already taken the medicine, so why don’t you recognize me?” I said nothing, just looked at her as if she were out of her mind. Adeline couldn’t accept this. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stood there for a long while before calling someone: “I’ve already given him the medicine, so why can’t he remember? What’s going on?” “It can’t be. We’ve been married for three years; it’s not like he’d forget everything overnight!” Someone on the other end must have given her hope. After hanging up, she handed me another pill, her eyes full of hope. “Declan, this is the last pill from the lab that can restore memory. Once you take this, you’ll definitely remember.” Under her expectant gaze, I took the pill again. Three minutes passed. I looked her over from head to toe. Besides being pretty, she left no impression. “Sorry, I really can’t remember who you are.” The woman’s chest rose and fell as if she might burst into tears at any moment. “No way, you must be lying to me. You’re pretending to have amnesia, right?” “Declan, you loved me so much you couldn’t bear to forget me. You fell in love with me at first sight, even when I was still with Asher. Later, when Asher went abroad, you said you’d marry me whether I loved you or not.” “You even handed over your salary every month, knowing most of it would support him abroad. When I suggested separate rooms, it was because I disliked you, wanting to video call Asher every night…” Unknowingly, Adeline’s voice broke into a sob: “You tolerated all my faults, so why won’t you start anew with me this time?” After hearing all this, my eyes grew colder, and I pushed her away without expression. “Miss Adeline, I indeed have amnesia, and even if my memory returns, I don’t plan on getting back with you.” From the beginning, it was my former self being too humble, loving Adeline to the point of enabling all her actions, including her fickleness. Degrading oneself results in a lack of respect from others. Turning back won’t bring any change; I should look forward. Ignoring Adeline’s tearful pleas, I asked her to leave my home and then fell asleep on the sofa. The next day, heading out to work, I saw a familiar figure sitting alone in the stairwell. Seeing me, Adeline quickly ran over, “I knew you were lying. You’ve regained your memory! Our research lab’s professor said the dosage was high; there’s no way you’d still have amnesia.” Seeing my helpless expression, she continued, “Or you can come to the research lab with me. If the results show you’re still in amnesia, I promise not to bother you again.” Unable to resist Adeline’s repeated requests, I took time off from the company to go to the research lab with her. Lying on the cold examination table, the bright light made me dizzy. I felt the cold instruments probing my brain, causing waves of dull pain. Aside from that, nothing else. Chapter 5: The One I Truly Love Is You 5. When I got off the examination table, I saw Adeline and the man she called the professor. Neither looked happy.
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