I Lost the Memory of the Man I Love after an Accident - Chapter 8

“No, I was the one you loved,” she sobbed.

“You chose me.

You said she meant nothing.” Dylan stood in silence, jaw clenched, fists tight at his sides.

A part of him screamed to say something, anything.

But the truth was he didn’t know how to explain it.

Reese was supposed to be a face, a memory he buried.

She was young, too impulsive, too stubborn.

Back then, he’d convinced himself it was right to walk away.

She was always laughing, always clinging to him, always wanting more.

and he was too cold, too calculating, too afraid to let her in.

But now those memories surged back like a crashing tide.

The way she used to sneak into his kitchen barefoot at midnight.

The way she sang off key in the car.

The way she looked at him like he was her whole world.

He missed it.

He missed her.

And that truth scared him.

I’m sorry, he whispered finally, voice barely audible.

Katarina didn’t reply.

She swayed slightly, then grabbed her abdomen, and then she dropped to her knees.

Katarina Dylan rushed forward, catching her just before she collapsed onto the ground.

Blood! His eyes widened in horror at the deep crimson blooming between her legs.

“How!” he shouted, lifting her into his arms.

Somebody called the hospital.

The lights were sterile and cold, but they were a relief compared to the chaos that had just unfolded.

Dylan sat in the hallway, elbows on his knees, hands over his mouth.

His shirt was stained with her blood and the sharp scent of guilt.

Finally, after what felt like hours, a nurse approached him.

“She’s stable,” she said.

“She was pregnant.

We’ve stopped the bleeding, but we’ll need to monitor her closely.” Dylan nodded, forcing out a tight.

“Thank you.” When he entered the room, Katarina was lying on the bed, pale, but awake.

Her eyes locked on him immediately.

You stayed, she murmured.

He nodded.

She tried to sit up.

Are you going to leave me now? Katarina, don’t lie, she interrupted.

Not now.

After everything we’ve done, everything we’ve been through, are you really going to walk away from all of it? For a girl who doesn’t even like you anymore.

That last part stung more than he expected.

He stood there caught between two versions of himself.

The man who made a promise and the man who had already broken it.

But in that moment, looking at Katarina, vulnerable now, her life nearly slipping away because of the stress he caused, he couldn’t bring himself to abandon her.

He swallowed hard and nodded.

“I won’t leave.” Relief flickered across her face.

“Okay,” she whispered.

“Can you get me something to eat? I feel sick.” He hesitated, then forced a small nod.

“I’ll go get you something.” And so he carried them forward.

In the days that followed, Dylan returned to planning the wedding.

He stayed by Katarina’s side, attended doctor’s appointments, answered questions with practiced warmth.

From the outside, they looked like a couple rebounding stronger than ever.

But inside, Dylan was empty.

Each night after ensuring Katarina had fallen asleep, he’d sit alone in his study, phone in hand, scrolling through photos, reading updates on Vincent’s events, news articles, interviews, anything that gave him even a glimpse of her world.

She wasn’t in his life anymore.

But he couldn’t let her go.

Every smile she gave Vincent twisted the knife deeper.

Every appearance, every headline made it clearer.

Ree had moved on.

3 days, just 3 days left before the wedding, and Ree could hardly contain her excitement.

She never thought she’d feel this way again.

The giddy flutter in her chest, the soft hum of love traveling through her veins.

It was the kind of feeling she once dreamed of having with Dylan.

But now, no, it was different.

It was real.

Vincent had filled the cracks Dylan left behind.

And maybe, if she were being honest, a few small parts of her still achd.

When she thought of Dylan, sometimes she’d catch herself staring out the window too long, or listening to songs that reminded her of those blurry nights, those stolen kisses, those empty promises.

But those were no longer cravings.

They were reminders, foolish memories of a girl who once believed her love would be returned.

“I swear if Katarina copies one more thing from your wedding, I might actually throw hands,” Alice said dramatically, flopping onto Reese’s bed as she scrolled through her phone.

Reese laughed, pulling her hair into a bun.

You’re overreacting.

I’m not.

Look at this.

Alice held up her phone.

Same venue team.

Same champagne tower.

Oh, and she even copied your floral arch.

She’s pregnant, Ree said, rolling her eyes.

Maybe she’s just too tired to think of new ideas.

And Dylan Alice snorted.

Have you seen his face lately? He looks like a ghost in a tux.

Ree paused, her fingers tightened slightly on the brush in her hand.

Don’t start, Alice.

I’m just saying he’s clearly miserable.

He made his choice.

Alice smirked.

And you made yours.

A damn good one.

Ree smiled.

And it was genuine mostly.

It was true.

Vincent had brought stability into her life, kindness, passion, and more than that, he respected her.

Where Dylan was once a storm, Vincent was the calm.

Still, the past had a funny way of slipping back in, especially when Reese would find fresh white roses delivered to her studio with no name, only a faint scent she knew far too well.

Dylan’s cologne.

She never told Alice.

But she didn’t need to.

Her best friend was too perceptive.

And Reese, she chose to ignore it because even though some part of her relished the idea of Dylan finally regretting everything, of him watching her slip out of his grasp, she wasn’t going to look back.

Not anymore.

This was her time.

Her victory.

That evening, the house glowed with soft lights.

Her mother had come over to help with a few last minute details, but now they were just sitting in the kitchen, sipping tea, and letting the quiet settle.

You look really happy, Ree, her mother said, smiling warmly.

I am, Ree said softly.

I know I wasn’t the biggest fan of Vincent at first because I thought you wouldn’t want him because of Dylan.

But seeing you now, I’m glad you found someone who treats you right.

Reys nodded as steam rose from her car, her gaze distant.

Her mom leaned in gently.

Do you still think about him? There was no need to say the name.

Reese took a breath.

Sometimes, but not in the way I used to.

Not with hope.

Her mother reached out and took her hand.

I’m just glad you woke up from that, Dylan.

Magnus, you giving everything and getting nothing back.

I know, Ree said softly.

But it’s okay now.

Vincent is good to me, and that’s all that matters.

Later that night, the house had gone quiet.

Most guests were asleep or had returned to their homes.

The garden outside glowed with soft fairy lights.

Ree stepped onto the balcony holding two glasses of wine and handed one to Vincent as he joined her.

“Can you believe it?” she said, clinking their glasses.

“Three days.” Vincent smiled, his arm wrapping easily around her waist.

I’ve been counting down.

Reese giggled.

You’re cheesy.

I’m in love.

She blushed and turned her head slightly so he wouldn’t see the smile tugging at her lips.

I still remember the first time I saw you.

Vincent murmured.

You were at that gallery arguing with a curator about the lighting on your work.

She laughed.

It was terrible lighting.

You looked like you were about to tear him apart.

I thought.

Now that’s a woman I want to marry.

You’re insane.

I’m obsessed.

he whispered, pulling her closer.

Their laughter softened into a quiet hum, the kind that only comes when you’re truly at peace.

They kissed, tender and unhurried, as if the world could pause just for them.

But the world didn’t pause from the shadows beyond the garden hedges, eyes watched.

Dylan stood hidden beneath the branches of a tree, hands clenched in his coat pockets.

He hadn’t planned to come, hadn’t even thought it through.

He just wanted to see her.

And there she was, glowing, laughing in someone else’s arms.

It twisted something inside him.