The night Mathias Thomas—the old-money Thomas heir—mysteriously vanished from downtown New York, I, Yara, stumbled on a badly injured man on a quiet Pittsburgh side street.

"It's you... I finally found you." His voice was barely there, but his eyes burned with an unsettling intensity.

The moment I recognized his face, terror shot through me and I almost bolted. Ten days earlier, thanks to my scheming stepmother's manipulation, I'd ended up in a stranger's bed.

I'd assumed the guy was some high-end escort from a club and left him a generous tip. Then the rumors started—Mathias Thomas, the newly returned Thomas heir, was hunting for a woman. The payback people whispered about was ruthless enough to make my blood run cold. After I saw his photo, I realized the so-called escort was none other than Mathias.

And the woman he was desperately hunting for? That would be me.

I'd managed to keep my head down for ten days and never expected to run into him like this. Now here he was, barely clinging to life, asking for my help—past grudges and all.

"Help me..."

I hesitated. If I helped him, he'd definitely want payback once he recovered. If I didn't, the guilt would eat me alive.

Finally, I made my choice. Kneeling beside him, I aimed my phone camera at his face and laid out my terms.

"I'll help you, but whatever happened between us is forgotten. You can't come after me for it."

Mathias didn't answer. Instead, he mustered the last of his strength to grab my pant leg. "I'm... hurt... it has to stay quiet. Don't tell anyone, or else... or else..."

"You're seriously threatening me right now?" I frowned. "Why keep it secret?"

Mathias had already passed out, leaving me no choice but to drag him to the nearest private hospital. After a thorough exam, the doctor said, "Blunt force trauma to the back of the skull, seven stab wounds, severe blood loss. He needs a transfusion immediately."

A chill slithered down my spine. Injuries that brutal meant dangerous enemies. No wonder he wanted secrecy. Compared to this high-stakes nightmare, the mess with my stepmother felt like child's play. And remembering I'd mistaken this heir for a mere escort? That chill turned to ice. If Mathias hadn't been hurt when he came looking for me, I might be the one lying here half-dead.

This was my shot to smooth things over. I had to take it.

"Then hurry up and give him the transfusion!"

"He's AB negative. We're short on supply and need to get more from the city blood bank. That'll take at least an hour and a half—he doesn't have that kind of time."

My face dropped. Reluctantly, I offered my arm.

"I'm AB negative."

Since I'm on the slim side, donating a full unit left me so dizzy I nearly passed out. I glared at Mathias's unconscious body and muttered, "Now your life is in my hands. You should treat me like a saint. Whatever happened between us? Completely forgotten."

Once his wounds were treated, Mathias was moved to a private room, and I stayed by his bedside all night, afraid of what might happen.

He woke the next morning. With dark circles under my eyes, I greeted him with a relieved smile. "Good morning. How are you feeling?"

His dark eyes narrowed, scrutinizing me. After a long beat, his voice came out rough and confused. "Who are you?"

My attempt at playing nice froze. "What... what do you mean? You don't remember me?"

A giddy rush shot through me—if he didn't remember me, then he'd forgotten our night together!

Mathias's gaze stayed blank. Then he dropped the real bombshell. "Who am I?"

"Doctor!" I shrieked, jabbing the call button. Doctors and nurses rushed in.

"He seems to have lost his memory!" I stammered in disbelief.

The doctors ran a battery of tests and asked, "Do you remember your name?"

Mathias shook his head.

"Do you remember what happened yesterday, or how you got hurt?"

Again, he shook his head.

"And what about her? Do you recognize her?"

Mathias followed the doctor's gaze, his eyes settling on me for a long moment before he gave a faint nod. "I remember..."

"You do?!" My mind was spinning, flying up and down like a roller coaster. The clarity in his eyes nearly brought me to tears. "Wait—didn't you just say you didn't?"

The doctor explained, "His head injury caused a concussion, leading to temporary amnesia or memory confusion."

"So the amnesia is temporary, and he might eventually remember everything?" I asked, panicked.

The doctor sighed. "It's uncertain, but don't worry too much. His vital signs are stable. With continued observation and treatment, he might gradually regain his memories."

Honestly, it'd be better if he forgot everything.

As the doctor left, he reminded me, "You gave him a substantial amount of blood. You need to rest. We don't want you collapsing before he recovers."

I thanked them and walked the medical staff out. When I came back, I handed Mathias a cup of warm water, my mind racing.

"So, you really remember me? Something specific?"

Please let it be that he only remembers last night—not New York.

Mathias took a sip, his gaze lingering on the bruise on my arm from the transfusion. His voice was still weak, but it didn't carry the cold edge I'd braced for. "The doctor said you donated blood to me."

I seized the chance to cash in some goodwill and nodded eagerly. "A full unit! You'd lost so much blood, you might be dead right now if it weren't for me."

"Thank you..." His eyes softened with genuine gratitude.

I blinked. "Wait, did I just hear that right? You're actually thanking me?"

Rumor had it the Thomas heir was moody, vindictive, and ruthless. Yet right now he was being perfectly polite—almost sweet. Could amnesia really change someone's whole personality?

Mathias frowned slightly. "You saved me and took care of me. Shouldn't I be grateful?"

I was beaming on the inside as I nodded. Feeling bold, I tested the waters. "So... do you remember me because I saved your life?"

Mathias met my gaze and slowly shook his head.

My heart nearly leapt out of my chest. "Then why?"

A teasing smirk played on his lips. "Because we... spent the night together."

My eyes went wide, and I clamped a hand over his mouth. "You're making that up!"

Was he secretly some kind of pervert? He forgot everything except the night we hooked up?

His breath warmed my palm as he whispered, "You have a red birthmark on your lower back."

My hand instinctively flew to the spot. "..."

He remembered.

Forcing myself to stay calm, I pulled my hand back and sat down beside him, studying his face. "What else... what else do you remember? Tell me everything."

Again, he shook his head.

I dug my nails into my palm until they left little crescents, fighting the panic. "So what do you think our relationship is?"

Mathias furrowed his brow and smirked. "What else would it be? We're obviously..."

My breath caught. My cheeks flushed as I watched him hover right on the edge of saying it.

"... a couple."

The answer took me so off guard I let out a massive sigh of relief.

My eyes sparkled with mischief as I nodded eagerly. "See? You do remember!"

Lovers were a hell of a lot better than enemies. Playing into his amnesia was my best move. Once his memory came back, whatever bond we'd built might keep him from going scorched earth on me.

Besides, fake-dating the rich, charming, dangerously capable Mathias Thomas? That cost me nothing.

But Mathias's brows pulled together. "But it feels... like it isn't just a simple relationship."

I wanted to beg him to just spit it out already—this stop-and-go thing was making me insane.

I stammered some kind of response while my brain scrambled through every possible scenario. The more I tried to think, the blanker I went.

Mathias watched me squirm. "Tell me about our past. It might help bring my memory back."

I had zero intention of helping his memory come back too fast. I dodged, "The doctor said you shouldn't push yourself. I'll fill you in later. Let me go take care of your hospital bill first."

I fled the room and slumped against the hallway wall, taking deep breaths and trying to figure out my next move when my phone rang, nearly scaring me out of my skin.

It was my best friend, Avianna. "Yara, I have amazing news!"

"You've been looking for an alternative treatment for your mom, right? Well, I have it on good authority that the Thomas Group has been developing exactly that. They're in phase three clinical trials. I'll get you connected with Mathias Thomas so you can get the drug. This could actually cure your mom!"

My mom has been battling a rare, incurable disease. The meds from our family's pharmaceutical company could manage the symptoms, but they couldn't cure her. Since the divorce, she'd gotten worse—sometimes even forgetting her own daughter. Her doctors warned that without a new treatment, her prognosis was grim.

Avianna's news sent a tremor of hope through me. "Wait—Mathias? Are you sure? He really has the medication?"

"Absolutely. My source is solid. But he's been overseas for years and only just came back, so getting in touch is tricky. Hang tight."

I stared at Mathias's door, then rushed back inside.

Facing him again, I put on my sweetest smile and made my voice drip with honey. "Love~"

"Love??!" Mathias practically shot upright, startled by the pet name.

I batted my lashes, completely unfazed by my own audacity. "Of course. You said it yourself—we're more than just a couple."

"Because... we're married!"

Even if the new medication passed clinical trials, getting it to market would still be a slow, exhausting nightmare. Impatience gnawed at me—Yara—pushing me to scheme my way closer to Mathias, to get that drug as fast as humanly possible. Even just the formula would give our research team something concrete to study.

Naturally, being married would bring us far closer than mere partners.

Mathias's thick lashes fluttered in surprise. "Married?!"

Seeing him struggle to process the bomb I'd just dropped, I added with a taunting edge, "Don't believe me? Once you're out of the hospital, I'll show you our marriage certificate."

Mathias squinted, still skeptical.

I figured he couldn't sense the kind of intimacy a married couple should share. After all, we'd only been in bed together once, and our meeting yesterday had been laced with tension—not exactly a solid foundation for deep feelings. I lowered my gaze, feigning sadness.

"I know you might not feel much for me right now, especially since I was the one who chased you. But one night, after we'd both had a little too much to drink, something happened. You said you'd take responsibility and suggested we get married.

"You also wanted to keep it under wraps, so right now we're in a secret marriage."

Years of verbal sparring with my stepmother had sharpened my acting skills to a razor's edge. I even managed to squeeze out a few tears, looking pitiful enough to soften him.

Mathias might have been shrewd and impossible to read before, but with amnesia, he was easy to fool.

I took his hand and pressed it to my cheek, pouring every drop of sincerity I could fake into my next words. "Maybe you married me out of obligation, but we've been good together. I know this is a lot right now, but don't worry. I'll always be by your side, and eventually, you'll remember all the little things about us."

Mathias's expression finally eased. "...This is sudden. I need some time to process it."

I tested the waters carefully. "You wouldn't want a divorce just because you have amnesia, would you?"

Mathias smiled faintly. "Why would I want a divorce if you're this good to me? But I don't remember anything, so I'll need some time to adjust."

I made my face light up through the fake tears. "Aww, so you do have a heart!"

Knowing when to back off, I said, "You should get some more sleep."

Mathias had just woken up and was still weak, clearly needing rest.

"You don't look so great yourself. You should rest too."

That hint of growing concern told me my groundwork was already paying off, and I felt a secret thrill.

I smiled. "Thanks for worrying about me, honey."

Mathias looked taken aback, his expression turning a little awkward. "...Do you really call me that?"

He was still getting used to it, no doubt.

I thought to myself, how else are we supposed to get close fast if not with pet names?

"Ever since we got hitched, that's what I've called you. But you still haven't called me 'wifey' once."

I arched my brows playfully. "Why not take advantage of the amnesia and try it now?"

Mathias ignored my teasing and pretended to fall asleep.

Once he'd dozed off, I quietly got up, arranged for the nurse to keep an eye on things, and left the hospital.

If we were going to play husband and wife, I had to commit to the role completely.

Thankfully, Mathias had his ID on him. Using the information on both our IDs, I mocked up what looked like a certified county marriage certificate, then went shopping for his basics and arranged them neatly all over my apartment.

With no time to rest, I whipped up a nutritious stew and rushed back to the hospital.

The nurse told me Mathias had woken up briefly, then dozed off again. I was so exhausted that I fell asleep at his bedside, gripping his hand.

At some point in my sleep, I must have used his hand as a pillow, because the tingling sensation woke him. He started to pull away, but when he saw how wiped out I was, he paused and let his hand stay right where it was.

While I'd been gone, the nurse had checked on him, and Mathias had asked a few questions.

Apparently, I'd been out of my mind with worry and had begged the doctor to do whatever it took to save him.

The nurse, a romantic in her forties, laid her story on thick. "Heard you needed a blood transfusion, and she rolled up her sleeve without a second thought. Said she'd donate as much as the doctors safely allowed if that's what it took! Then she fainted right after, only woke up after they gave her fluids, and still rushed straight back to look after you. That woman loves you. Don't you go neglecting her just because you can't remember."

Mathias seemed to buy every word. When he looked at me again, gratitude—and something that looked a lot like guilt—softened his expression.

Lost in thought, I woke up with a start and met Mathias's deep gaze.

"Honey, you're awake! Hungry? Let me get you something to eat."

His hand was still tingling, and he pulled it back slowly. "All right."

I raised the bed. "I made chicken broth with carrots, celery, and herbs—something light to help you recover."

As soon as I opened the thermos, Mathias wrinkled his nose. "Take it away. I hate celery."

I'd tried to research him online, hoping to learn how to win him over, but found nothing. The heir had spent years abroad and stayed low-key and mysterious.

I filed away his dislike of celery and used a coaxing tone. "I know you hate it, but you need calories and fluids while you're recovering. Just have a little, okay?"

Mathias had a strict rule about not eating things he disliked, and my coaxing wasn't enough to move him. "No."

Feigning a pitiful look, I raised my arm and showed the marks from last night's transfusion. "AB negative blood is hard to come by around here. I really don't have much left to give. Please, just a little."

Mathias looked at the bruises and remembered the nurse's story about me fainting after the transfusion.

Eventually, he reluctantly lowered the hand shielding his mouth and nose.

I brightened. "That's a good boy. Now open wide."

I blew on the stew to cool it before lifting the spoon to his lips, playing the attentive caregiver for all I was worth.

Uncomfortable with the intimacy, Mathias insisted, "I can manage."

"You can't even hold the bowl. If it spills, I'll be the one cleaning it up. Now open wide."

Too weak to argue, he gave in. Being doted on by a loving, attentive wife wasn't exactly a bad consolation.

After a few spoonfuls, I offered him a piece of chicken. "Eat some meat. Protein."

He eyed the piece beside his lips, frowned, and turned away. "Skin."

I caught on instantly. "Oh, silly me. I forgot you don't do chicken skin."

A true princely palate, really.

From childhood until now, I'd rarely served anyone, but to secure my mother's medication, I'd gladly work myself to the bone.

I removed the skin and bones and finally offered the choicest piece to the picky heir.

Mathias showed a sliver of courtesy. "You've worked hard."

"Between us, that's not necessary. Seeing you like this hurts me. I wish I could trade places with you."

His amnesia seemed to have reset him, softening all his edges. When he saw the tears welling in my eyes, he paused, but eventually comforted me. "Don't worry, I'll get better soon."

I noted every little change in him. My spirits soared, sensing victory was close. Recharged, I poured even more effort into the act.

After the meal, I fetched hot water. "You love being clean. Going days without a bath must be rough. Let me help freshen you up."

Mathias was used to luxury, so hygiene was naturally important to him. I couldn't miss with that one.

"I do feel grimy," he admitted.

All part of my strategy—catering to his every need to get my hands on that drug.

"Of course. As your dear wife, I have to take good care of you."

While wiping his abdomen, I couldn't resist poking at his well-defined muscles. "You have an incredible body. I love feeling your abs."

Mathias glanced down at me and frowned. "Was it lust that made you chase me?"

I met his gaze with a sly smile. "Not quite."

Then I went right back to playing with his abs.

After half a minute, he caught my playful hand.

"Don't."

I feigned hurt and pouted. "Are we really so distant now that I can't even touch you?"

Watching my fake pout, Mathias's expression softened, amusement flickering in his eyes.

His nose twitched, and his voice softened as he explained, "...It tickles."

Mathias's lips curved into a faint grin. "I thought my wife had lost her memory and wouldn't let me touch her. Had me a little worried."

The corner of Mathias's mouth twitched, as if he were trying not to smile at me.

He let out a low chuckle. "How old are you?"

With that expressive face of mine, I sometimes looked like a teary-eyed child, much younger than I actually was.

I pulled out the forged county marriage certificate I'd prepared ahead of time and handed it over. "Amnesia doesn't mean you forgot how to read, does it?"

Mathias took it, studying the document. "I may have lost my memory, but I'm not an idiot. Of course I can read."

After scanning the marriage certificate, he looked back at me, slightly stunned. "You're only twenty-one?"

Yeah. Really young.

I nodded. "I just graduated from college this year."

Mathias shifted his attention to his own information.

Name: Mathias Thomas.

Age: 27.

"So we're from New York. What are we doing here?"

I had our backstory down pat. As I kept helping him freshen up, I explained, "My family owns a pharmaceutical company, and there's an old factory here. My dad sent me over for some hands-on experience. Since I came to Pittsburgh, you naturally came with me."

The first part was true.

Lucien, pushed by his current wife, had shipped me off to this dreary place for "experience."

But I hadn't wanted to go. I had little management experience, and I knew some of the company's old guard were in my stepmother's pocket. The whole thing reeked of a setup.

Then, ten days ago, everything tilted. When I learned Mathias was out for revenge, I packed up and slipped away overnight.

Somehow, we still crossed paths again.

I went on, "Last night, you probably got into some trouble and got mugged. Before you passed out, you said you didn't want your parents to worry, so you asked me not to tell them. Lucky for us, we're far enough away that word won't get back to them."

After all, keeping his injuries quiet had been Mathias's call, so I wasn't exactly lying.

Mathias frowned a little. "What did I do before?"

I looked into his eyes, trying to read his expression before answering carefully. "Our families are in the same industry, and you've been researching Mixed Hypersensitivity Syndrome."

Mixed Hypersensitivity Syndrome was exactly my mother's rare illness.

People who suffered from it were extremely sensitive to light, wind, water temperature, sound, and vibrations. Too much of any one of them could trigger a violent episode.

My mother had lived in a quiet countryside care facility for years. Every time I visited, I could only see her from a distance.

Thinking about my mother's years of suffering made my nose sting and my eyes burn, but I kept my voice light.

"You told me your research had made a major breakthrough—that you'd developed a cure. Once all the clinical trials pass, it'll be available on the market."

Mathias narrowed his eyes. "Mixed Hypersensitivity Syndrome?"

I pushed down the hope rising in my chest. "Does that ring any bells?"

After thinking for a moment, Mathias shook his head.

I hid my disappointment. "That's okay. Once you're better, it might come back to you. You said it was instinct—that you'd remember once you saw the documents."

Mathias didn't push. Instead, something else caught his attention. "So you're managing a company now?"

I beamed. "Impressive, right? Your wife's pretty capable!"

The conversation loosened, and Mathias's lips twitched into a smirk. "You're young and a woman. You think you can handle them?"

I sighed internally at his words.

I'd only been in Pittsburgh a few days, but I'd already run into plenty of trouble.

Most of the company's higher-ups were seasoned veterans over forty. They weren't about to bow to some young newcomer.

With my stepmother's allies stirring the pot, they constantly tried to undercut me.

But I hadn't come to Pittsburgh to fail. If I did, my stepmother would use my inability to manage a small company as an excuse to keep me out of the main office.

I needed everyone to know exactly who was in charge.

Even with all the stress, I kept my cool on the outside.

"The company belongs to my family. They wouldn't dare disrespect me. Managing them is a piece of cake!"

Mathias noticed my youthful bravado and chuckled. "Let's hope so."

I huffed, playing along. "Even if I'm still green, once you recover, I'll have you backing me up. You can whip them into shape!"

I was only half joking, but Mathias surprised me by agreeing. "All right."

"Really?!" My eyes lit up with excitement.

Mathias nodded.

I could barely contain myself, bouncing on the spot.

The Thomas family had a long business lineage and had survived every kind of challenge. Anyone with the Thomas name was a force to be reckoned with. If Mathias really stepped in, he'd have the Pittsburgh branch under control in no time.

Mathias squinted. "Is it really that big of a deal?"

I nodded eagerly. "It means you're making a move, and I could get emotional!"

"With our combined strength, we'll turn this struggling factory around. My dad will let me into the main company. Then I'll hand over my shares and make you the boss while I trail behind and enjoy the rewards!"

Mathias watched me get lost in my daydream, smiling along. "Then show me the company's documents."

Having grown up around business dealings, Mathias naturally found corporate management fascinating.

I, however, shook my head. "Not now. You're still recovering. Wouldn't it be heartless to make you work?"

Mathias, bored lying there, tried to negotiate. "Just a quick look."

I put on my stern-wife act. "Not even for a minute! Your job right now is to rest. Once you're healed, you can dive in."

Mathias couldn't argue with that, so he settled for a compromise. "If I can't see them, can you at least tell me about it?"

Seeing how restless he was, I thought it over. "All right."

I'd already run into problems anyway. I could use advice from a business prodigy.

So I explained the general situation at the Pittsburgh company.

My family's business had started here and done well. Eventually, to expand, the core business moved to New York, though some operations and production lines stayed behind.

In recent years, the Pittsburgh branch had struggled, and Lucien had considered shutting it down. But some local company veterans refused to move to the New York headquarters or agree to the closure, dragging things out.

Mathias listened with his eyes closed, looking like he was resting. "Those old-timers just treat it like a retirement home."

I grew more agitated. "Exactly! The company relies on subsidies from headquarters. These old leeches don't generate any profit, but as shareholders, they still collect dividends from the main office. They're total freeloaders!"

Mathias said, "They're used to coasting. Now that you've suddenly shown up in charge, they'll try to push you out."

His words struck a nerve.

Even though I was officially the top manager, my authority was mostly for show. Everyone brushed off my efforts.

Ten days in, and I still hadn't even accessed the company's core data, let alone made any real progress.

Undeterred, I scoffed. "Me? Scared? I'll bring them to heel eventually!"

Mathias opened his eyes, intrigued. "How do you plan to do that?"

I boasted, "I have my ways! Just keep watching. Your wife is no pushover!"

Mathias smiled. "Want some advice?"

My eyes sparkled with anticipation. "I'm all ears."

Mathias generously shared his wisdom. "First, build a loyal crew. Second, make an example out of someone. Lastly, take down the biggest threat!"