I Lost the Memory of the Man I Love after an Accident - Chapter 7

What the hell was that? Catherine’s voice rang behind him.

She strutdded forward in her heels, bag clutched like a weapon.

What’s going on, Dylan? It’s Vincent, he growled.

That bastard stole my investors right from under me.

Her face soured.

Oh, great.

That makes two of us.

Reese just stole the wedding venue I wanted.

She stole it or were you trying to steal it from her? He snapped.

Excuse me? Are you blaming me now? I’m just asking.

Wow.

Incredible.

One minute you’re smashing your phone over Vincent, the next you’re turning on me.

You want her back that badly, Dylan? Is that what this is? He didn’t answer.

She scoffed and stormed off.

He pulled out his backup phone.

Rarely used.

Dialed a private number.

“Find Reese,” he ordered his bodyguard.

Reys sat alone at a cafe outside the city, sipping an ice latte, reading from her tablet.

Her crutches leaned against the table.

She looked peaceful, unbothered.

That only made Dylan angrier.

He crossed the street.

His breath tightened.

When Ree noticed him approaching, her face shifted from calm to cold surprise.

“What are you doing here?” He didn’t answer, just stood there.

“You followed me?” Finally, he asked, “Did you really take the venue from Catherine?” She blinked, then laughed bitterly.

“That’s what you’re here about.

The venue?” “If that’s your priority right now, then get out of my face.” “Re, don’t ree me.” She winced, reaching for her crutch.

“I don’t owe you anything.

Not even a damn explanation.

He reached for her hand, gripping tighter than he should.

“Don’t marry him,” he blurted.

Her eyes widened.

Then she burst out, laughing.

“Don’t marry him?” she repeated, scoffing.

“Why?” “Because you say so.

Who are you to make that demand?” He looked stunned.

“I mean, wasn’t I the one you wanted before? So, how can you just move on that easily?” She stared at him, jaw clenched, then smiled tight, mocking.

You’re unbelievable.

Her voice trembled, not from softness, but fury.

You rejected me.

You broke me.

And now you’re pretending none of it happened.

Dylan stepped forward.

Voice cracking.

I didn’t mean to.

You’re getting married, Dylan, she shouted.

You didn’t mean to betray me, hurt me, almost kill me.

He palded.

I won’t marry her.

Not if you don’t marry Vincent.

She laughed again, disgusted.

You’re insane, she muttered.

This is nonsense.

He reached again, but she yanked her hand back.

It’s too late.

She snapped.

Don’t act like you didn’t try to kill me.

His eyes pleaded.

I didn’t know, Ree.

I didn’t mean.

Before he could finish, she grabbed her coffee and hurled it in his face.

Cold liquid splashed across his cheeks, soaking his shirt and jacket.

She flinched.

“Don’t ever show your face to me again,” she spat, voice like ice.

“I don’t want to be reminded of the day you left me to die.” And with that, she walked away, limping slightly, but every step radiated strength.

Dylan stood there in stunned silence, dripping, humiliated, breathless.

People stared, whispered, but she didn’t look back.

It had always been her.

She had just been too proud, too confused, and too damn stupid to realize it until now.

By the time she got home, the city had begun to dim.

Rain threatened the horizon.

Katarina was already waiting in his bedroom, sprawled across his bed in nothing but a satin robe, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulders.

“Well,” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“You look like you lost a war.” Dylan didn’t answer.

He just stormed toward her and kissed her hard.

The kind of kiss meant to bury pain, not express love.

The kind of touch that burned rather than soothed.

She moaned into him, pulling him close.

They fell into the sheets, their bodies tangling in urgency.

But in the middle of it all, it wasn’t her he was thinking of.

It was Ree.

Her voice, her laugh, the way she looked at Vincent, like she trusted him.

And that was when it hit Dylan like a dagger to the chest.

He had lost her truly, fully, irrevocably, and he was the one who threw her away.

Days later, the city’s elite gathered at a prestigious charity auction.

The event was as lavish as expected.

crystal chandeliers, violins playing in the corner, champagne flutes glistening in every hand.

Dylan arrived with Katarina draped on his arm, wearing a wine- colored gown, bejeweled and elegant.

They looked the part of the perfect couple, but Dylan wasn’t present.

His eyes scanned the crowd.

And then he saw her, Ree wearing a midnight blue dress that hugged her silhouette.

Her hair fell in loose waves, her eyes glowing under the ballroom lights.

Beside her stood Vincent, his hand resting protectively on her lower back, whispering something in her ear that made her laugh softly.

The sound twisted something in Dylan’s chest.

They danced.

Vincent’s arms wrapped around her like she belonged to him.

And she did.

She smiled at him as if she had moved on, as if she was happy.

And Dylan could only watch.

He danced with Katarina.

Sure.

But every time she turned, every twirl and spin, his eyes drifted back to Ree.

And with each passing second, it became harder to breathe.

He didn’t belong here.

Not with Katarina.

Not anymore.

Halfway through the next song, Dylan froze.

His feet stopped moving.

His hand dropped from Katarina’s waist.

Dylan, she asked, confused.

What’s wrong? He stared past her, eyes locked on Ree.

I can’t do this, he muttered.

Katarina blinked.

Do what? He gently unhooked her hand.

Dylan didn’t look back as he walked out of the ballroom.

He left behind the clinking of champagne glasses, the soft music, all drowned out by the rush of blood in his ears, and the heaviness in his chest.

Every step away from Ree felt both like escape and punishment.

But before he could make it to his car, he heard heels pounding against the pavement.

Dylan Carter.

Her voice cut through the night.

What the hell is that? He stopped, but didn’t face her.

A gust of cold wind passed, brushing through his undone tie and tousled hair.

She caught up, grabbing his arm and yanking him to face her.

“Tell me what’s going on right now.” He met her eyes, lips parting with hesitation.

“I just I don’t want to do it.” Her face palad.

“You don’t want the wedding?” she said, voice low.

“I can’t marry you.” Katarina froze, then blinked rapidly once, twice, before stepping back in horror.

No, she said, shaking her head.

No, you don’t get to do this.

You don’t get to suddenly have cold feet.

Not now, Katarina.

I’m pregnant, she yelled, her voice cracking.

You’re the father of this child, and you dare tell me you don’t want to go through with the wedding? His lips twitched, guilt surged in his gut, but he said nothing.

Her eyes brimmed with angry tears.

“It’s because of her, isn’t it?” she hissed.

“Rece.” Dylan looked away, shoulders tense.

Her hand flew, shoving him hard in the chest.

Unbelievable.

You’re going to ruin us.

Everything we’ve built.

And for what? Because you suddenly realized you want her.

After rejecting her for so long.

She pushed him again, her hands trembling now, her breath hitched and tears streamed freely.