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?”

Kaia's POV

The crew stared at Addison in disbelief. Clearly, they hadn’t expected her to be that outrageous.

But Brian? He didn’t even hesitate.

He answered for me as he gently patted Addison’s head, “Don’t worry. Kaia’s not that delicate. She’ll finish filming with you.”

Then Brian turned and looked at me. His eyes were red, almost like he was trying to look sorry.

“Kaia, right?”

I glanced down at my arm, still bleeding, then forced a tight smile as I nodded.

“Yes.”

'Brian, consider this repayment. You saved me once. I guess this evens the score.'

Somehow, that thought made the ache in my chest ease up a little.

Since going to the hospital wasn’t an option anymore, all I could do was settle for a makeshift bandage. I gritted my teeth through the pain, carefully sliding off my ring so I could apply the antiseptic.

Brian noticed the sweat collecting on my forehead and reached out, placing his hand in front of my face like he was about to comfort me.

“Kaia, let me do it. If it hurts, just bite my hand.”

I turned toward him, and for a split second, I saw that familiar concern flicker in his eyes, but I didn’t buy it. I shoved him back.

Then I poured the whole damn bottle of rubbing alcohol onto the wound. My hand shook violently, but I didn’t make a sound.

The sting in my hand was nothing compared to the one in my heart.

Brian stepped back, fists clenched at his sides.

Just as he turned to leave, he stopped and called over his shoulder.

“Kaia, your ring. You forgot it.”

I looked at the ring on the table. It was the one he gave me.

He’d designed it himself and made it with his own hands. Brian spent three days and nights crafting it, his fingers cut up and bandaged by the end. When he slipped it onto my finger, he swore to love me for the rest of his life.

“I don’t remember who gave it to me,” I said quietly, “so I’m guessing it doesn’t matter.”

Brian’s voice got tense, almost urgent.

“It’s delicate. It might be from your boyfriend. Maybe it means something. You might regret losing it when your memory comes back.”

I picked up the ring.

Then I tossed it straight into the trash.

Brian stood up so fast that the chair screeched against the floor, his face dark with fury.

I didn’t get it. He was the one who stopped caring.

So why was he acting like I’d crossed the line?

My phone buzzed right then.

[I heard from your mom that you’re coming back today. Send me the address, and I’ll pick you up. -Hayes]

Brian saw the name flash across my screen. His stare narrowed. I quickly locked the phone.

“Who was that?” he asked, voice low and sharp.

I raised a brow, playing dumb. “Mr. Thompson, I’m just Miss Addison's assistant. It's just some personal matter.”

His expression darkened, like thunder clouds rolling in. “Kaia, you clearly are—”

Addison jumped in at the perfect moment, cutting him off in that high-pitched, bratty voice. “Kaia, I’m so hot. Get me some water.”

She wasn’t even trying to hide it anymore, making me run around, pouring water, and wiping her sweat—just another way to humiliate me.

I bit my tongue, shoved the pain down, and started rummaging through my bag for tissues.

Instead, my fingers landed on something unexpected—two engagement invitations written by Brian himself.

Both of them stiffened the second they saw what I was holding. Before I could even open them, Addison lunged forward and snatched them out of my hands.

Reflexively, I reached after them, but she was already tossing them into the toilet.

She shot me a grin, pure venom behind it.

“You want them?” she said sweetly. “I’ll help you fish them out.”

Then she grabbed my hair and shoved me toward the toilet bowl.

I fought back, and she let out a dramatic scream, stumbling backward like I’d thrown her across the room.

Brian didn’t hesitate. He kicked me hard, sending me sprawling. Then he stepped in front of Addison like her knight in shining armor.

“Kaia, enough. They’re just two pieces of useless paper! Addison’s sick. Why are you being like this?”

I sat on the floor, stunned, trying to catch my breath.

Finally, I nod and mutter, “You’re right. Just two useless pieces of paper.”

That made him pause. He opened his mouth, maybe to explain or to lie again, but I beat him to it.

“Mr. Thompson, filming’s almost done. I’m leaving," I told him.

Brian's face darkened even more, his anger no longer restrained. “What did you say? Where do you think you’re going?”

I turned around, unwilling to look at him. “None of your business.”

I wasn’t sure why, but something about the way I said that seemed to light a fire in him. Even though he knew I’d lost my memory, seeing me pull away like that, it set him off in a way he couldn’t hide.