But his words dissolved beneath the tidal wave of pain that hit me. I gripped the table, vision swirling in black.
Alexander rushed to steady me, his handsome face immediately losing all color. “Damn it! Is this a reaction to the drug? The label stated that there would be no serious side effects. I’ll call an ambulance. You’re going to the hospital.”
Pushing him away, I took a deep breath and steadied myself. For a moment, my mind went blank.
“Who are you? And why are you in my home?”
Alexander froze for a few seconds before a look of joy flashed in his face. He stepped back, putting space between us.
“Ms. McKenzie, I’m here to see Ms. Watson. Apologies if I’ve intruded. The engagement party is at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in seven days. As her business associate, we’d be honored if you attended.”
I blinked, trying to recall what had just happened. But the memory felt scrubbed away, like erased chalk on a blackboard.
Seeing the ease on his face and the weight lifting from his shoulders, my chest tightened as though an invisible hand had gripped my heart. Still, I managed a professional smile.
“Congratulations, Mr. Smith. Sophia is a very lucky woman.”
Right on cue, Sophia arrived, arms wrapped around him like a carefully rehearsed act. Her Sylvette heels clicked sharply across my floor, and she wore a suit identical to my custom Chantelais order—just in a different color.
“Emma, what a coincidence.” She stepped between us, her emerald eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “I was just about to share the good news. Alexander proposed to me on the rooftop of Imperium One. Super romantic, right?
“I know you two were Richton classmates, but he chose me. I hope you’ll give us your blessing.”
Alexander frowned. “Sophia, don’t say it like that.”
Tears filled her eyes as her voice quivered. “I’m just so happy. Emma has always been perfect. I’ve never felt like I was good enough for you. But you said you love me. Didn’t you?”
His expression softened. He reached out and gently stroked her cheek. “Of course. Don’t overthink it. Let’s go. Didn’t you have a gown fitting at Maison Verelle?”
As I watched them, so intimate and at ease, the entire thing abruptly seemed preposterous.
Perhaps Alexander didn’t want me to recover my memory. It dawned on me that in his past life, his love for me might have always been tainted by guilt toward Sophia.
So the first thing he did upon being reborn was protect her. If he cared for her so deeply, why inflict this on me at all?
“I wish you both happiness,” I said coolly. “Now please leave my apartment.”
Alexander gave me a long, unreadable look before leading Sophia out. She clung tightly to his side.
Just before the elevator doors closed, she turned back and gave me a smug, triumphant smile.
I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and watched as he opened the Maybach door for her downstairs, gently shielding her head with tender care as she got in.
In our past life, he had done the same for me.
Now, everything could be replicated.
“It’s just a different way to live,” I told my reflection in the window. “And I can make it shine on my own.”
