Chapter 2

A week later, Ethan had a follow-up appointment at Mass General. He was in the waiting area when he saw her. Cassie Vanderbilt. Even without memory, he recognized her from the photos on his blog. She was with a man. Tall, handsome, impeccably dressed. Damian Pierce, her ex-fiancé, according to Liam. Cassie spotted Ethan. Her eyes narrowed. She walked over, Damian a step behind her. “Ethan,” she said, her voice cool, clipped. “What are you doing here?” There was no concern in her tone, only annoyance. Ethan felt a strange detachment. This was the woman his past self had adored? “I had an appointment,” he said simply. “Well, try not to cause a scene,” she replied, a subtle accusation in her voice. “Damian isn’t feeling well. Stress-induced ailment. He needs peace and quiet.” Damian offered a polite, tight-lipped smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He looked more bored than ill. Cassie’s focus was entirely on Damian. She touched Damian’s arm, her expression shifting instantly to one of deep concern and affection. “Are you alright, darling? Do you need to sit down?” she murmured to Damian, completely ignoring Ethan. The contrast was stark. Her cold dismissal of Ethan, her warm solicitude for Damian. It confirmed everything his forgotten blog had suggested. He had been nothing to her.

Ethan wanted to tell her. To explain the blank space in his mind where she used to be. “Cassie, about the accident…” he began. Just then, a nurse called, “Mr. Pierce? The doctor will see you now.” Damian nodded, and Cassie immediately turned, guiding Damian towards the examination room. She didn’t look back. The opportunity to explain was gone. It probably wouldn’t have mattered anyway. She clearly wasn’t interested in anything he had to say. Her indifference was a cold, hard fact.

As Cassie walked away with Damian, she glanced back quickly. Just for a second. Her eyes met Ethan’s. He saw a flicker of something in her expression. Confusion? Maybe she noticed his lack of pleading, the absence of the desperate longing she was used to seeing in his eyes. He just stood there, calm, a little distant. It was a small thing, but he saw it. A brief moment where his current blankness registered as different to her. Then she turned away, gone.

Later that week, before his planned move to Austin, Ethan was at a coffee shop near his temporary lodging. Damian Pierce walked in. “Ethan Miller, right?” Damian said, extending a hand. “We met briefly at the hospital.” His charm felt practiced, insincere. “Yes,” Ethan said, shaking his hand. “Mind if I join you?” Damian asked, already pulling up a chair. He knew about Ethan’s amnesia regarding Cassie; Liam had probably told Cassie, and Cassie had told Damian. “Liam mentioned your… unfortunate memory loss. Specifically about Cassie,” Damian said, his voice smooth. “It’s strange,” Ethan admitted. Damian leaned in, a confidential tone in his voice. “Look, Ethan. I know you were… very intense about Cassie. For a long time. Some might say a bit unstable in your pursuit.” Ethan listened, his expression neutral. This was the man Cassie preferred. “She’s a wonderful woman, but she needs stability right now. Someone strong. With my return, we’re… reconnecting.” He was subtly warning Ethan off, ensuring he stayed away. Ethan felt no jealousy, no anger. Just a confirmation of his decision to leave. “She seems very happy with you,” Ethan said, his voice even. “You’re clearly very important to her.” Damian preened slightly at the words. “Yes, well, we have a long history.” Then, Damian’s eyes sharpened. “Before your accident… were you tinkering with any innovative app ideas? Anything… groundbreaking?” The question was casual, but Ethan felt a prickle of unease. “No,” Ethan lied smoothly. “My mind’s a blank on most things from before.” Damian smiled, but his eyes were calculating. “A pity. Well, good luck with your recovery, Ethan.” He stood up and left. Ethan watched him go. Damian Pierce was a snake. And Cassie was with him. Austin couldn’t come soon enough.