Kaia's POV

Addison wrinkled her nose and tucked herself tighter into Brian’s arms.

“Brian, the floor’s filthy. She just took the medicine. What if she throws it up? How about giving her another pill, just in case it stops working?”

Brian glanced at me with those unreadable dark eyes, then nodded like it was the most reasonable thing in the world.

I clutched my stomach, which was already twisting itself in knots, and shook my head.

“No, I’m fine. My stomach’s killing me. I don’t want any more pills.”

But of course, he didn’t listen. His grip tightened as he pinned me down.

“Kaia, come on. Your body won't heal right if you don’t take it.”

Before I could fight back, he pried my mouth open and shoved the pill in. Fearing I wouldn’t swallow, he clamped his hand over my nose and mouth, cutting off my air.

Choking, I struggled desperately, and the wound on my head began to bleed again. I could feel the wound reopen, the blood starting to drip again.

He was terrified I’d remember. That if I didn’t forget him, I’d mess up his whole picture-perfect show with Addison.

Tears slipped out and landed on his hand. That made him pull back, like I’d burned him.

Then the drug kicked in.

My stomach spasmed hard, pain shooting through me like someone had knifed me from the inside. I doubled over.

Blood—real, hot blood—poured from my mouth.

Brian’s face went pale. He looked like he’d just seen a ghost.

He grabbed at me, frantically wiping at the mess.

“Kaia, what the hell? This... this wasn’t supposed to happen. It’s not supposed to be this bad.”

I couldn’t even speak. I just held onto my abdomen, trying to stay conscious. Everything in me was screaming. It wasn’t supposed to be this bad.

But this drug was developed by him and his company. To help him succeed, I secretly became their test subject, taking the drug many times, forgetting him over and over, and then forcing myself to fall in love with him again.

And each time, I somehow fell for him all over again.

But because I took it too many times, the side effects grew worse with each dose.

And this one felt like it was ripping me apart. My body gave out. I slipped off the bed and hit the floor, too weak to move.

Brian knelt beside me, hands trembling as he tried to clean up the blood.

It only made the mess worse.

“Where’s the doctor? Get the damn doctor in here now!” he yelled.

Addison tugged at his arm, annoyed. “Brian, seriously? She’s just an assistant. I pay her enough to buy ten lives. Once she sleeps it off, she’ll forget everything, and she won’t feel a thing. And I heard there’s a pool scene on the show. Come help me pick out a swimsuit.”

Brian hesitated. For a moment, he looked torn. Then his hand slipped from mine.

His voice was quiet, almost detached. “Kaia, once you sleep and forget, everything will go back to normal.”

And just like that, he let me go.

I stayed there, crumpled on the floor, barely holding myself up. I didn’t even look at them. Didn’t want to see their faces. Just listened to their footsteps fading down the hall.

Then the tears came.

Big, ugly, shaking sobs.

But Brian... I’d taken so much of that drug, my brain couldn’t forget you anymore.

What it did was worse.

It didn’t erase my memories—it chipped away at my feelings for you, little by little.

And once the full effect kicks in three days from now, I’ll never love you again.

After a while, the tears slowed. The pain in my chest dulled just enough for me to catch my breath.

That’s when my phone buzzed. It was Mom.

“Kaia, the Stanton family’s eldest son, came by to propose again this year. I told him you liked someone else, but he said he’d wait for you forever. What do I tell him this time?”

I didn’t answer right away. I just stared at the video Addison had sent me. It showed Brian gently helping her try on swimsuits, his hands on her shoulders, and soft eyes.

I closed my eyes. That sting in my chest burned hotter than before.

“Mom,” I said, voice steady, “no need to turn him down. I’ve said yes.”

There was a pause on the line.

“Okay, I’ll tell him you’re getting married. Wait—what? You agreed? Did I hear that right? I thought you liked that Thompson guy? Why the sudden change?”

I cut off her nagging. “I’ll explain later. I’ll be back in three days for the wedding.”

Because three days from now, I wouldn’t love Brian.

Not anymore.

Even before my wounds healed, Brian had his people come collect me. They dragged me to the reality dating show filming set like I was just another prop.

There he was with Addison, dressed in matching light outfits, clinging to each other like honeymooners.

He shoved a camera into my hands without even looking me in the eye.

“Kaia, you’re the best photographer. Make sure you get good shots of me and Addison. Real close.”

Kaia's POV

I took the camera without really thinking.

Brian inspired me to take up photography to capture our happiest, most authentic moments. But now, he just expected me to film his sweet moments with someone else.

On set, couples shared why they’d fallen for the female guest.

Brian didn’t make a big speech. Instead, he pulled out little things—Addison’s baby tooth, strands of hair she’d lost, a pink hairpin.

Gasps and squeals erupted from the audience.

“That’s so sweet!”

“I’m melting! This is what love looks like!”

Addison blushed, but Brian?

He stared at her with a tangled and complex look that sent a chill right through me.

Right then, I understood his feelings for her. This forbidden thing wasn’t as hateful as he’d made me believe. It wasn’t nearly as disgusting as he said.

Those little keepsakes were proof.

I held back tears and pressed the shutter, watching the evidence of our love disappear, photo by photo, replaced by their intimacy.

Meanwhile, giant LED screens on every skyscraper lit up with huge letters:

[Brian Thompson Loves Addison Green.]

The crowd went wild.

“Wow, is this the CEO’s love story? They’re basically serving us their dog food.”

“Oh my god, this usually low-key entrepreneur is going public for the one he loves? I’m jealous.”

Some raved about the perfect match, the handsome man, the stunning woman.

But others whispered, “I know Mr. Thompson. Didn’t he have a fiancée? Or am I imagining things?”

The room fell silent for a beat.

Addison fired back, “What nonsense! Brian doesn’t have a fiancée. He’s always liked me.”

Brian’s face darkened. He had the man who spoke up escorted out immediately and then gently comforted the shaken Addison.

After she calmed down, he fixed the cameras with his gaze and announced, "Addison is the only one I love. I've never had a fiancée before, and I never will.”

My hands went numb. The camera nearly slipped from my grasp. I stumbled back a step.

That’s when it hit me. Even though he loved me so much, I finally understood why he never made our relationship public.

Even when he sent Addison away to study abroad, he never announced our engagement.

Everything between us had to stay hidden.

And it was because he feared Addison would get hurt if she ever found out.

Couples showed videos of how their love grew, from the first spark to real understanding.

I thought Brian would show childhood photos, but the pictures surprised me.

They spanned nearly six years.

October 26, on my birthday:

He was watching the aurora borealis with Addison

March 15, our anniversary:

They kissed on the Ferris wheel.

Brian was always too busy to be there for my birthdays or when I was sick, but he sincerely apologized every time.

When I was upset, he’d stand outside my door for hours, sometimes days.

When I was in danger, he was always the first to protect me. He bore a scar on his left arm from blocking a bottle thrown by a drunkard.

Brian made me believe he loved me so deeply.

That’s why when I took those pills, I forced myself to remember him over and over, even though the medicine made me forget time and time again.

But now it was clear as day.

Those busy days Brian always talked about were spent overseas with Addison.

The overly sweet vlog played in the room, buzzing with excitement. Brian glanced back instinctively at where I stood.

Then, as if remembering I had no clue, I sighed in relief.

I watched Addison press a kiss to the corner of Brian’s lips. He responded eagerly, and their tongues met.

My hands moved independently, snapping photo after photo, even as my tears blurred the viewfinder.

I felt like the biggest fool in the world. So stupid.

I thought he loved me like his life depended on it.

But what I didn’t know, what I couldn’t see, was that every time Brian disappeared on the days that mattered most to me, it was because of Addison.

Buying her sanitary pads.

Changing them.

Overstepping all boundaries under the pretense of being siblings.

Kaia's POV

I couldn’t take it anymore. I ran to the break room and locked myself inside.

Curled up in the corner, I hugged my knees to my chest and started pounding my forehead, like maybe I could knock the memories of Brian out of my skull for good.

That’s when I heard someone laugh.

I looked up, and Addison was standing in the doorway, arms crossed and smug as hell.

“Kaia, I didn’t think you’d still be this pathetic even after losing your memory,” she said, smiling like she was enjoying every second. “Guess you really did love my brother. Too bad, though. That door’s closed. Oh, and I’m not actually sick. Brian’s just dramatic. He believed me without even asking questions.”

A fresh wave of pain tore through my chest. The ache grew sharper the more I thought about it.

I dug my nails into my skin, clawing at my chest until it hurt so bad I couldn’t breathe. Blood started to drip down my hands.

Maybe the drug was kicking in now, because the pain began to dull.

Completely unbothered, Addison dabbed the corner of her mouth with a tissue and smiled like nothing had happened.

The door burst open.

Brian walked in.

His eyes went straight to the blood on Addison's lips. He didn’t even glance at me or notice my injuries.

Brian's face twisted.

“Kaia, what the hell did you do to Addison?” he snapped.

Addison covered her face and started sobbing quietly. “Brian, I just asked her to help with filming, since she was slacking off, but she...”

Before she could finish, Brian stormed over and slapped me hard.

I hit the floor with a thud, my ears ringing.

His glare was cold enough to kill. “Kaia, stay in your lane. Who do you think you are, putting your hands on Addison?”

I was still reeling, trying to get my bearings, when he grabbed me by the arm and yanked me up. Then he dragged me over to serve Addison like I was a damn servant. Tea, water, whatever she wanted.

Out of nowhere, Addison dumped boiling water right into my hand.

The pain was immediate and brutal. I gasped, trying not to scream, as blood blisters started rising across my skin.

Brian watched. Didn’t even flinch. He just stood there, ice-cold.

“She’s sick,” he mumbled, like that explained everything. “You should try being more understanding.”

I finally found my voice. It was shaky, but I didn’t care.

“Brian... do you really believe she’s sick?”

His expression turned dark in an instant. “Kaia, don’t be cruel. Don’t you dare question Addison. You’re the one who always fakes being sick.”

My chest clenched hard.

I remembered when I was sick, curled up in bed, and begging him to come. However, he went to Addison first.

By the time he showed up, I’d already recovered.

But I was the liar?

Maybe what I said hit a nerve, because he looked even angrier. He grabbed me by the wrist—by the same hand she’d just burned—and dragged me out onto the show's set.

They had a boyfriend skill segment for ratings. It was basically a ridiculous challenge in which the men had to prove they could protect their partners.

This one involved a crocodile.

Yeah. A literal crocodile.

I wanted no part of it. The whole thing screamed bad idea, but Addison insisted I help film.

I kept my distance from the animal, giving it a wide berth. It was tied up, but still, it was a crocodile.

Then Addison suddenly tripped and fell toward it. The thing opened its jaws, ready to snap.

Brian shoved me.

I didn’t even have time to think. The crocodile lunged and clamped down on my arm, dragging me toward the water.

The pain was unreal, like someone had stabbed me straight through the heart and kept twisting the knife.

Once upon a time, Brian would’ve stood between me and the danger. Back then, he would’ve taken the hit without hesitation.

Now? He was the one who threw me in.

When he saw what had happened, his look shifted. Panic. Regret.

He grabbed my uninjured hand, trying to pull me back.

“Kaia, don’t be scared. I’ve got you. I’ll save you.”

But then Addison whimpered behind him. “Brian... my stomach hurts...”

He looked torn for half a second. Then he let go.

His eyes were sorry, but his body was already moving away from me.

“I’m sorry,” Brian whispered as he scooped Addison up and rushed off.

That was it—his promise to save me turned into a 'sorry.'

I watched his back as he disappeared. It reminded me of that night he took a bottle to the arm, protecting me from a drunk guy. He’d passed out from blood loss after making sure I wasn’t hurt, even checked every inch of me just to be sure.

And now?

He’d changed.

He’d left me to be torn apart by a crocodile.

Luckily, the crocodile was trained. It let go after that one bite. The crew rushed in and pulled me out while blood was pouring from my arm. Someone called for a medic.

They were about to get me to a hospital when Addison stepped in front of them.

Her eyes looked watery, but her tone was as fake-sweet as ever.

“Brian,” Addison said, like she was making a noble request, “I just want to finish filming this show. I don’t have much time left. Can you let the assistant keep filming me? Her wound just needs some basic first aid, right?”