Chapter 2 Amnesia

Naomi's head snapped to the side as her car collided with another at the intersection. Her vision blurred. Her ears rang. The world spun-then slowed, as if underwater. Smoke curled from the hood. The windshield fractured into a spiderweb of cracks. Her hands trembled on the wheel. People gathered outside. Someone banged on the window. Their voice was muffled, distant. "Miss? Are you okay? Can you hear me?" Naomi blinked. The rising wail of sirens surged in the distance, growing louder, closer. A sharp pain lanced through her skull. Her vision dimmed. The screech of tires, frantic shouts, and the scream of sirens bled into the haze. At that very moment-whether it was the man drinking alone in a private club in Elaris or the one thousands of miles away-both suddenly clutched their chests, seized by an inexplicable pain. In a hospital overseas, Danna noticed Kael's fleeting expression and asked gently, "Kael, what's wrong? Have you been at the hospital too long because of me?" Kael glanced at the frail woman in bed and offered a soft smile. "I'm fine. Just focus on getting better. Don't worry about me." He brushed off the discomfort tightening in his chest. Meanwhile, in the VIP lounge of a high-end club in Elaris, a similar scene unfolded. A flirtatious companion leaned toward the man beside her, smirking. "What's wrong? Lost your edge already?" Atlas stared into his glass, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he pulled out his phone. "Find out where she is." The person on the other end didn't need clarification. The call ended without another word. Atlas took a slow sip of wine, his tone drawling, "How's the Rhodes Group doing?" Melvin clicked his tongue. "Naomi doesn't even acknowledge you anymore. In her eyes, you're probably not even a friend. Is it really worth it?" Being part of the same elite circle, Melvin knew all too well how Naomi once adored Atlas, following him like a shadow in their younger years. Back then, everyone thought she was just another foolish girl trailing after a golden boy. No one realized when the wolf started watching the little rabbit. "It's only natural she resents me for what happened back then," Atlas murmured. "But Kael Rhodes? He's not worthy of her." Melvin licked his lips, pressing his tongue against his molars. "Fine, but Kael really went overboard this time. He actually ran off to another country for that slut." The air in the private room suddenly felt heavy. "Then take back the land in the west side of the city from the Rhodes Group." Atlas's tone was indifferent, but Melvin thought he was being ruthless. That land was Rhodes family's key project this year. The top families of Elaris-Knox, Swift, Anderson, and Rhodes-had maintained peace for centuries. Though the Rhodes family had been declining for years, they managed to stay afloat because their son married well. In recent years, aside from the initial support Naomi's family gave Kael after their marriage, the two families had practically severed ties. "Are you serious? If this balance gets broken..." Before he could finish his sentence, a distinctive ringtone interrupted him-a voice recording of a little girl, around seven or eight years old. Melvin felt like he had heard it somewhere before. Just as he was about to ask, he saw the man across from him freeze-his face shifting through shock, disbelief, pain, nostalgia, and an array of complex emotions. Even Melvin tensed. Had something happened? Just as he was about to remind Atlas to answer the call, the man picked up hastily, as if afraid it would be cut off. "Hello, this is Elaris Hospital. Your wife has been in a car accident. Please come as soon as possible." The man, already tense, suddenly exuded a sharp and commanding aura. He shot up from his seat and strode toward the door. "What did you say?" "Hey! Where are you going?" Melvin called after him, but received no response. The person on the other end of the line hesitated at his overwhelming presence before cautiously asking, "Aren't you Miss Naomi Swift's husband?" Atlas's steps faltered for a split second. "I'll be there immediately." As soon as he got in the car, another call came through. Naomi had finalized her divorce today. On the highway, she had gotten into an accident but was now in stable condition. Atlas's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his speed showing no signs of slowing. A man who always remained in control of everything was now consumed by chaos. That ringtone hadn't played in years. He didn't know why Naomi had called him, why she told the doctors he was her husband. But above all... He was worried about her. Everyone in their social circle knew that the once wild and untamed rose of the Swift family had transformed into the perfect wife for Kael. Naomi had loved Kael madly. That was no secret. Meanwhile, at the hospital, the woman in question lay weakly in bed, anxiously looking at the nurse beside her. "Nurse, when will my husband arrive?" The newly assigned nurse looked at her-an oval face, bright fox-like eyes that seemed to speak, exuding an irresistible charm even in her frailty. The kind of beauty that made one's heart soften instinctively. "I heard him sound really anxious on the phone. Don't worry, your husband will be here soon. He cares about you a lot." Something in that last sentence seemed to ease Naomi's anxiety. She smiled. "My husband and I grew up together. We've known each other since we were kids." "Oh, then you two must really love each other!" Naomi nodded. They were indeed a loving couple. Atlas treated her so well. She just couldn't quite recall what had happened before the accident. Where was she going? What was she planning to do? Just as she tried to remember, a sharp pain stabbed through her head. The nurse quickly comforted her. "This might be a post-accident symptom. Don't think too much for now." ***