I Lost the Memory of the Man I Love after an Accident - Chapter 5

Dylan was sitting with Katarina.

She had noticed them at first, but when she heard that laugh, her laugh, his head snapped up.

Then he saw her racing with Vincent, laughing, smiling like she actually belonged to him.

His grip on his forehead tightened until it nearly snapped into a fist.

“Katarina nudged him gently.” “Dylan,” she asked, sensing something shift.

She followed his gaze, her brows narrowing as she turned her head slowly, scanning the restaurant.

And then she saw them, Ree and Vincent Valon, sitting too close, feeding each other, laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world.

Dylan looked like he’d just seen a ghost.

“So, it’s her,” Katarina murmured, her voice low.

“This is what’s bothering you? I thought we were done with this, Dylan.” He tore his eyes away, shaking his head quickly.

“No, not that.” “It’s It’s because of Vincent.” “Vincent?” Katarina scoffed with a bitter laugh.

“Really? That’s your excuse?” She didn’t buy it.

The ache in her chest twisted into something colder.

Without warning, Katarina pushed back her chair and stood up.

Dylan reached for her wrist, but she pulled away with a quick glare.

“Relax,” she said cooly.

“I’m just saying hi.” Before he could stop her, she was already striding across the floor, her heels tapping like little gunshots.

Ree had just leaned closer to Vincent, laughing softly at something she’d whispered.

Her eyes sparkled brighter than Dylan remembered, but her laughter abruptly stopped when Katarina’s shadow fell over the table.

“Well, well,” Katarina said, her voice shook her sweet.

“Look who it is.” Reys’s smile faded.

“Katarina, it’s been a while.” Katarina kept up the facade.

“So, it’s true.

You’re really getting married.” Reese sat straighter, eyeing her wearily.

If you’re here to pick a fight, Katarina raised both hands.

No, no.

I’m not here for drama.

I just came to congratulate you.

She looked at Vincent with a sly smile.

And you, too, Vincent.

Oh, I have to ask.

Are you sure about this? Vincent’s jaw tightened.

What do you mean? Katarina tilted her head.

Isn’t it a bit soon? I mean, not long ago, Ree was still after my fianceé.

And now, suddenly, she’s all about you.

Maybe she’s playing you, too.

Reese’s eyes flared.

Excuse me? Vincent leaned forward, his tone sharp.

Are you suggesting I should doubt my fianceé? Katarina shrugged, “All faux innocence.

I’m just saying be careful.

It’s easy to fall for someone like Ree.

She’s good at acting sincere.” Ree opened her mouth, anger bubbling beneath her calm exterior.

But Vincent raised a hand to her arm.

“It’s not your business,” he told Katarina coldly.

“I’ve loved Ree for a long time.

I trust her completely.

Maybe you should mind your own relationship before questioning ours.

Katarina blinked, stunned by the bluntness.

For once, she had no comeback.

But before the tension could settle, another voice cut in.

I see, Dylan said, approaching from behind.

So, it’s true.

You’re really getting married, Vincent.

Vincent turned slightly.

Yes, you received the invitation, right? Dylan offered a tight smile.

Congrats.

Katarina and I are getting married, too.

You should come to ours.

We’ll come to yours.

Vincent nodded.

Sure, that’ll be fun.

Just as Dylan turned to leave, Katarina slipped her arm through his and smiled coily.

Actually, how about we stay a little while? Join them for a bit of lunch.

She looked at Ree.

You don’t mind, do you? Reese’s smile didn’t reach her eyes.

Of course not.

And just like that, the awkward Forsome sat together at one table.

Dylan sat stiffly across from Vincent.

The tension was immediate.

Silent horror in locked gazes and clenched jaws.

Katarina pretended everything was light and cheerful, making small talk, asking about flowers and venues.

Ree answered politely, but her focus kept drifting to Vincent.

Eventually, the conversation turned to business, something both Dylan and Vincent shared deep roots in.

That’s when the crack started to show.

“I heard you’ve been expanding into Eastern territories,” Dylan said, his tone casual but etched.

Vincent nodded.

Strategic move.

Untapped markets.

More like a reckless gamble.

Dylan shot back.

You’re risking long-term assets for short-term gains.

Vincent smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Or maybe I just know how to take risks and win.

Not everyone is afraid of change.

The table went quiet.

Reese reached for Vincent’s hand under the table, calming him.

Don’t worry, she said softly, clearly sensing the shift.

We’re not here to talk business.

And then in front of them all, she leaned in and kissed Vincent.

A gentle, simple kiss, affectionate, real.

To Dylan, it was a knife.

She smiled against Vincent’s lips.

The same woman who once clung to Dylan’s every word now didn’t even glance his way.

The ache rose again, sharp, bitter.

Was it jealousy? Regret? He didn’t know.

All he knew was this.

Watching Ree in love hurt like hell.

The following days moved fast, like time itself was hurtling towards something inevitable.

Reese and Vincent were kneedeep in wedding preparations, finalizing the guest list, tasting cakes, hopping between floral boutiques and suit fittings.

Their schedules were packed, their hands always intertwined, and their smiles seemingly endless.

Likewise, Katarina was busy arranging her own wedding to Dylan.

Or so she told herself.

But she couldn’t ignore how often they kept running into them.

weekend brunch spots, tailor shops, lakeside venues, even the same flower shop.

At first, she chocked it up to coincidence, or maybe just a city too small for four people carrying too much unfinished business.

But it wasn’t coincidence.

Every time she looked away, Dylan’s eyes would trail after Ree like a ghost chasing the living.

And what Katarina didn’t know was that Dylan had been stealing information from his sister, Alice, who often helped Reese’s plan.

Too trusting for her own good, Alice would casually mention Bennu’s and timings.

Dylan remembered every word.

He told himself it was curiosity, closure, but it wasn’t.

He wanted to see her, even from afar, even if it made Katarina’s smile grow more strained by the day.

She noticed.

She didn’t say anything.

Not yet.

Until the day she saw Ree alone at the flower shop.

A perfect storm.

Vincent and Dylan were outside discussing suits.

The bell above the door chimed softly as Katarina walked in.

Reys stood browsing quietly, fingertips grazing the petals of white liies.

Katarina’s voice sliced through the quiet.

“Why are you stalking us?” Reys turned, startled, her eyes narrowed.

“What? Don’t play dumb,” Katarina said, stepping closer, her heels clicking against the floor.

“You’re ruining my wedding.

Always showing up.

Always being seen by Dylan like some pathetic siren.

I didn’t know I had to schedule my life around yours.

Reese replied coolly.

If Dylan’s looking at me, that’s your problem, not mine.

Katarina’s eyes blazed.

Don’t play innocent.

You want him to look at you.

You always did.

Reese laughed.

Lo, unbothered.

Maybe he just realized who was worth fighting for.

Maybe he finally opened his eyes and saw.

You’re not it.

How dare you? Katarina shrieked, lunging forward, hand raised to slap.

But Reese sidestepped smoothly.

Katarina lost her balance, crashing face first into the display table with a loud smack, knocking over a basin and falling hard to the floor.

Humiliated and furious, she glared up from the ground.

Reese didn’t flinch.

You think I’m the same girl from before? She said calmly.

The one you could push around.

That girl’s gone.

Katarina screamed, pounding her fists against the floor.

You [ __ ] Reese didn’t stay for more.

She stepped out of the shop just in time to hear raised voices in the nearby alley.

You don’t get to pretend like you care.

Vincent’s voice was sharp, accusing.