Tyler left the room and never came back, but Emma didn't dwell on it. She just took her time and spent two days packing up.

She sorted out the gifts Tyler had given her, planning to donate all of them. When she was halfway done, the door suddenly swung open.

Janice leaned against the doorframe, eyeing the jewelry on the floor. She snickered. "What are you doing?"

Emma didn't respond and kept sorting out the drawer.

Janice remarked, "All of these jewelry pieces are from my favorite brands."

She walked in, holding up a diamond necklace with one finger. "I had one just like this back when I turned 18."

Then, she kicked the stuffed toys in the corner, saying, "I used to like these too."

She caught sight of the lilies by the window and giggled. "Even the flowers have to match my taste. Tyler really can't let go of the past."

Emma's hands froze mid-motion. Taking in the room, she suddenly realized that everything in it whispered someone else's story.

She had cherished the gifts and the surprises she thought Tyler had picked with care. It turned out they were just afterthoughts meant for a substitute.

Emma's chest tightened, and she felt a lump in her throat.

She knew what Janice was getting at. She swallowed the suffocating feeling and calmly said, "I know you're the one he truly loves. Don't worry. I won't be around much longer."

Janice raised an eyebrow. "Where could you possibly go? You don't even know who you are."

Just then, Tyler's voice came through the door. "What's going on?"

Janice's expression shifted in an instant. Her eyes welled up with tears, and her voice was full of hurt. "Emma suddenly started packing and said she was leaving, Tyler. Is she still mad at me? I just wanted to apologize."

Frowning, Tyler pulled Janice behind him, his gaze toward Emma cold and sharp. "You did nothing wrong. You don't have anything to be sorry for."

Emma took a deep breath. She was about to speak when Tyler beat her to it. "How long are you going to keep this up, Emma?"

She retorted, "I'm not making a scene."

His expression darkened. "That's not the truth, and you know it. You've lost your memory. Where can you even go? Stop playing hard to get. I don't have time for your games."

She tried to speak, wanting to tell him that she remembered everything now and was going back to her old life.

But he interrupted her. "I'm heading to an art exhibition with Janice soon. You're coming too."

Emma swallowed the words on the tip of her tongue. Then, she closed her suitcase without a word and went to get changed.

On their way there, Emma quietly trailed behind Tyler and Janice.

Warm lights filled the gallery. Janice pointed at an abstract painting, smiling as she chatted with Tyler. With his head slightly lowered, his side profile looked more defined under the light. His eyes lit up as he replied from time to time.

Emma couldn't understand what they were talking about.

Another memory came rushing back to her. When she used to gush about the new dessert place near the street or that stray cat in the neighborhood that always rubbed against her legs, he would just smile. He hardly ever responded.

Back then, she figured he was just the quiet type who preferred to listen. Only now did she realize that he simply wasn't interested.

Tyler was a big shot in the business world, and Emma was just a police officer doing her job. They came from completely different worlds and had nothing in common to talk about.

Janice suddenly hooked her arm around Tyler's. "I'm tired. Let's head home."

Emma pulled herself together and escorted them out.

As they left the gallery, she instinctively squinted against the harsh sunlight. Just then, a scream tore through the air before she could even react.

"No way! It's Janice, the famous pianist. Can you sign an autograph for me, Janice? I'm a big fan of your concerts."

The crowd poured in from all sides, trapping them in the middle. Emma instinctively positioned herself in front of Tyler but was shoved backward by the frantic crowd.

A woman was flushed with excitement, waving a sign with Janice's picture on it. A few fans shoved their way forward, their phones nearly bumping into her.

Janice seemed startled and shrank back into Tyler's arms, then apologetically grinned, "Please calm down, everyone. I have some signed photos in my car."

Emma wasted no time signaling the other bodyguards to form a human shield as she escorted Tyler and Janice to the parking lot.

The crowd jostled her, pulling at her sleeve and stepping on her foot. But she kept her guard up, painstakingly clearing a way forward.

When they got to the car, Janice grabbed a luxury bag from the back seat and tossed it to Emma. "There are photos inside. Give them to everyone."

Emma didn't take it. "Sorry. My job is to keep Mr. Manning safe."

Tyler didn't glance back from where he sat in the driver's seat as he spoke, his voice cold as ice. "From now on, Janice's orders are the same as mine."

The words stabbed into Emma's heart like a knife. She took the bag with a blank look, her fingers shaking as she spun on her heels.

After getting out of the car, she finally got the fans to follow her into a side alley, saying she was giving out autographed pictures.

The fans were getting impatient. "Hurry up! What are you waiting for?"

But when Emma checked inside the bag, she found it empty.

One of the fans asked, "What happened? Where are Janice's signed photos?"

Someone accused Emma, saying, "She must have kept the photos for herself."

Another voice came from the crowd. "That's shameless! How can you steal Janice's stuff?"

The angry fans swarmed Emma, yanking her hair and pushing her roughly.

She shouted, "I didn't!"

A fan nearby spat, "Hand over the autographs, you bitch!"

Emma barely managed to shield her head as she tried to turn back and confront Janice, but all she saw was Tyler's car speeding away.

A brutal kick to her knee sent her to the ground. Fists flew, heels kicked out, and curses rained down like hail.

"Go to hell, you thief!"

Having a police badge, however, meant never laying a hand on civilians. All Emma could do was curl into a ball, protecting her vitals as the kicks kept coming. Blood trickled down her forehead, clouding her vision.

Just before she blacked out, faint sirens sounded in the distance. Someone cried out, "Enough! She's bleeding."

Everything faded to black as Emma drowned in the depths of darkness.

When Emma woke up, the sharp smell of disinfectant hit her nose.

She tilted her head slightly and saw Tyler sitting on the edge of the bed. His suit jacket was tossed over the chair, and his tie hung loosely. He furrowed his brows as he stared at her.

His voice sounded husky as he asked, "You're awake? What happened? How did you get into a fight with the fans?"

Emma's throat was dry as she struggled to speak. "The bag Ms. Garner gave me was empty."

Tyler's brow furrowed deeper. "Janice cares about her fans too much to ever do something like that."

Staring at him, Emma suddenly felt completely drained. "Will you ever believe me even once, Tyler?"

He froze for a second, surprised by how she had used his first name like that. Taking in her bandaged forehead and bruises on her arm, he finally softened his tone. "Janice has no reason to hurt you. That was just bad luck."

Emma's mouth twitched, but she didn't bother arguing.

Tyler's phone suddenly buzzed, and Janice's voice came through, choked with sobs. "The thunder is so loud, Tyler. I'm so scared."

Tyler jumped to his feet, his voice softer than anyone would ever expect. "Don't be scared. I'm coming back."

Then, he hurried off without even glancing back at Emma.

She watched him leave, remembering how he had once flown back overnight from Weyford just to hold her and comfort her when she had nightmares.

She withdrew her gaze and murmured, "That's 98th."

Soon enough, she would be back to being a police officer.

…

After that, Emma's phone kept blowing up with texts and photos from Janice.

One of the photos showed Tyler's back as he went shopping with Janice. Another captured him opening the car door for her.

Then, there was the moment he leaned in to listen to her with a gentle smile, even though he rarely showed his emotions.

Every photo was another twist of the knife already buried in Emma's chest. She quietly took in how Janice was flaunting but didn't text back.

The glow of the phone lit up her pale face. The gentle look in Tyler's eyes in those photos had once been directed at her, but she knew very well that she was just someone he had settled for.

That was why she had given up all hope. Now, she had no feelings left for him.

…

On the day Emma was discharged, her phone buzzed briefly. Tyler had sent an address with a short message. "Come here."

She fixed her gaze on the screen for a long moment, then called a ride.

She had just gotten out of the hospital, and he had already told her to head to the location he had sent.

Emma opened the private room door. Inside, the lighting was dim, and the air was thick with the stench of alcohol.

Janice was nestled against Tyler, and her eyes sparkled the moment she saw Emma. "Emma's here."

Tyler motioned at the table full of drinks. "Janice is on her period. Drink these for her."

Emma stiffened. "I'm allergic to alcohol."

Sandra Hall, Janice's friend, remarked, "Why are you acting all high and mighty? You're just a bodyguard. Stop throwing an attitude. You should put your staff in line, Mr. Manning."

Tyler's gaze turned sharp. "Drink up."

Emma took a deep breath and picked up the glass. The first gulp scorched her throat.

Someone nearby added with a grin, "Mr. Manning really doted on Janice. Last time, he ended up buying the entire auction to get the limited edition piano for her."

Emma downed the second glass.

The conversation continued around her. "I remember when Janice had a fever, Mr. Manning flew back from abroad overnight and stayed by her side for three days and nights."

By the third drink, Emma's vision started to blur.

One of the people in the private room stated, "Honestly, Mr. Manning really spoils Janice rotten."

Emma kept knocking the drinks back until her face was burning and her breathing was ragged. With sheer willpower, she finished her last drink. As she set down her glass, her vision went black.

Emma rasped, "I need to use the restroom."

As soon as the door shut behind her, she dropped to her knees and threw up, the world spinning around her. Tears and cold sweat streamed down her face as she fumbled for her allergy medication and swallowed it without water.

Her reflection in the mirror was pale as a sheet, and her eyes were bloodshot. She looked like an absolute mess.

She turned on the tap, letting the cold water hit her wrists.

She was almost done, and then everything would be over.

When Emma got back from the restroom, Tyler and Janice were already gone. Sandra said mockingly, "Stop looking. Mr. Manning already left with Janice."

Emma was stunned. "What's going on?"

Sandra gleefully explained, "We were playing truth or dare. Janice had to spend the night with Mr. Dodson. Mr. Manning couldn't let her go, so he sent you to take her place."

A chill ran through Emma's spine. Henry Dodson, a rich brat in the corner, gave her a once-over with a sleazy, disgusting grin.

He lunged at her, his hands groping for her waist like a creep. "Mr. Manning already said the word, gorgeous. How about you and I have a little fun tonight?"

She turned away in disgust. "Back off."

With a dark look, Henry threw her down on the couch. "Spare me the act. You're just a bodyguard. How dare you turn me down?"

The second he grabbed her collar, Emma couldn't take it anymore and slapped him.

Furious, he grabbed the ashtray and smashed it down on her head. "You bitch!"

Searing pain shot through Emma as warm liquid trickled down her face. Her vision blurred, but she fought back with everything she had. During the chaos, she managed to knock him out and escape.

She stumbled onto the road, only to get slammed by a car going at full speed.

…

The sharp smell of disinfectant hit Emma's nose as she struggled to open her eyes.

The nurse was adjusting the IV drip. "You're awake? You've been seriously injured and need surgery. Do you have anyone you can contact to sign the consent form?"

Emma's hand trembled as she reached for the nightstand. The screen lit up, and she subconsciously opened her contacts. Her finger hovered over "Tyler" for a moment before she hit the call button.

No one picked up the first time. She tried again, but no one answered.

On the third attempt, Janice's sweet voice came through the receiver. "Hello? Emma?"

Emma's fingernails dug into her palm.

Janice giggled. "Tyler is making me some herbal tea. He already gave you to Henry like it was nothing. Why are you still calling?"

The faint sound of a spoon hitting a teacup came through the line. "You had your fun, and now he's with me. Stop humiliating yourself and ruining our time together."

The line beeped sharply. When Emma called again, Tyler's phone had been switched off.

She stared at the ceiling and suddenly burst out in laughter. As she kept laughing, tears slipped down her temples and into her hair.

The nurse looked at Emma with concern. "Ms. Young."

Emma replied, her voice coming out in a rasp, "I'll sign it."

…

When Emma woke up again, dusk had already fallen outside the window.

As she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was the white, cold ceiling. She slowly turned her head and saw no one by the bed.

The chair next to the bed sat exactly where it had been, which meant Tyler hadn't visited.

She should have felt heartbroken. Oddly enough, her bloody mess of a heart just felt hollow and numb.

She took out her phone, opened her notes, and typed, "The 99th favor—I took a hit for Janice."

She only had one more task left. When it was over, she could leave for good.