After I lost my memory, I forgot I was the villain. I sent a group text to my close contacts: [Sorry, I have amnesia. Who is this?] My phone immediately buzzed with four new messages. From the aloof childhood friend I used to bully: [Is this another one of your new ways to torture me? Your food is downstairs. Remember to eat it.] From the loyal stepbrother I used to torment: [Still mad at me? I transferred you some spending money. I’ll be home tonight to keep you company.] From the cool female lead I used to mess with: [Putting on an act again? If you have amnesia, go back to sleep. I signed you in for class.] Me: “?” Was I secretly the beloved main character all along? 1 The hospital room was a blur of doctors and nurses, the air thick with the sterile scent of antiseptic. I pushed myself up, my head swimming. Nearby, a doctor was speaking with a middle-aged man. “How is she doing now?” “Miss Shen’s amnesia isn’t too severe at the moment. She just seems to have forgotten specific people…” I blinked, trying to process their words. Amnesia? How could I have amnesia? “I don’t think I have amnesia!” I interjected. “I remember my name is Ava Shen. My father is Robert Shen, and my mother is Olivia Song.” The middle-aged man turned to me, his expression patient. “Well, do you remember my name, Miss Ava?” I nodded eagerly. “Of course. You’re our butler, Mr. Peterson.” He was silent for a long moment, his face a mixture of emotions. “Miss… I’m your family’s driver. And my name is Mr. Miller, not Peterson.” Me: “?” He sighed and turned back to the doctor. “Please, do whatever you can for her. I need to go contact her parents.” From their brief conversation, I gathered that I had slipped on the library stairs, fallen unconscious, and been brought to the hospital by a classmate. After they left, it finally sank in. I started scrolling through my phone. If it weren’t for my parents’ names in my contacts, I’d think I had picked up a stranger’s phone. Just then, two messages popped up from someone saved as “Cold-Hearted Monster.” [Come downstairs in thirty minutes to get your takeout.] [I’m not paying extra for delivery to your door.] I racked my brain, but I had no idea who this person was. I typed back: [Are you buying me lunch?] The reply was swift, each word dripping with sarcasm. [It is my duty to procure lunch for the great Miss Shen.] [But next time you want something from off-campus, could you perhaps provide some advance notice?] [I just wasted thirty minutes in line. Wouldn’t want to delay your precious mealtime.] Well, he’s certainly polite, I thought. But food wasn't my main concern right now. [No need. I’m not eating today,] I replied. The other end went silent. I couldn’t see his face, but I could almost feel the waves of irritation radiating through the screen. [Is this because you didn't like the breakfast I brought you this morning?] [So you’re throwing another tantrum?] I quickly tried to explain. [No, it’s not that. I have amnesia. qwq] He scoffed. [Is this the latest method Miss Shen has devised to torture me?] Me: “?” Was I really that awful? Worried he wouldn’t believe me, I sent him a photo. [I’m not lying. See? I’m still in a hospital bed.] A long time passed with no reply. He had probably fainted from anger or just couldn’t be bothered with me anymore. I scrolled through our chat history. This “Cold-Hearted Monster” seemed to be my personal assistant, fetching my meals, picking up my packages, and buying my bubble tea. He even tutored me and let me copy his answers on exams. But my attitude toward him was appalling. My messages were demanding and imperious. A wave of guilt washed over me. How could I talk to a classmate like that? “Ava—” The door to my room burst open, and a boy rushed in. He was wearing a simple white shirt, but his features were sharp and elegant. Even the fingers gripping the takeout container were long and pale. I found myself staring. Some people lose their memories, but their appreciation for beauty remains unchanged. My standards for my ideal type certainly hadn't wavered. I looked up at him and asked cautiously, “And you are?” His body went rigid. He pressed his lips together, his gaze dropping to the floor. “You don’t remember who I am?” I frowned, trying hard to recall. “Are you the Cold-Hearted Monster?” His expression was complicated. “…My name is Eddie.” Eddie reached out as if to check the wound on my forehead. “You fell down the stairs? Is it serious?” Seeing me flinch, he awkwardly dropped his hand, his tone turning cold again. “I’m not worried about you. I’m just afraid you’ll hit your head and find a way to blame it on me.” His words painted a vivid picture of a selfish, spoiled brat. My guilt deepened. When I didn’t say anything, he asked again, his voice softer, “You really don’t remember me?” “I don’t,” I answered honestly. “But from our chat history, it looks like you’re the one who runs all my errands.” “...Not exactly,” Eddie said. I looked at him, puzzled. He took a deep breath. “We’re childhood friends.” When I remained silent, he added coolly, “And, well, our parents arranged for us to be married.” I was shocked. “What? But our chats don’t look like that at all…” I thought he was just a classmate I barely knew. Eddie’s anger turned into a bitter laugh. “If we weren’t engaged, who do you think would be willing to run your errands every single day? Who would buy your meals and save you a seat in class?” “But you just said it was your duty,” I argued, confused. Eddie’s eyelids flickered. “Yes. My duty as your fiancé. Is it not?” Just then, Mr. Miller, the driver, walked in. He looked surprised to see Eddie. “Eddie? What are you doing here?” Eddie stood up politely. “I came to see how she’s doing.” Mr. Miller was about to sit down when Eddie’s next words made him jump back up. “By the way, Mr. Miller, Ava doesn’t believe we grew up together. Can you tell her? That we’re already engaged.” Mr. Miller’s eyes widened. “Huh?” He glanced from Eddie’s dead-serious face to my bewildered one. After a moment of thought, he gave a slow, complicated nod. “Yes… that’s true.” 2 Mr. Miller was the first person I saw when I woke up. He had been running around handling my paperwork and contacting my parents, so I had already started to trust him. And Eddie didn’t look like he was joking. A secret part of me was thrilled. My ideal type had just turned into my fiancé. I felt like I’d hit the jackpot. I guess even with amnesia, you still fall for the people you were meant to like. When Mr. Miller stepped out to take a call, Eddie placed the food container on the bedside table and handed me a bowl and chopsticks. “Eat up.” I glanced at the food and smiled. “What a coincidence. These are all my favorite dishes.” Eddie ladled some soup into my bowl, his voice flat. “It’s not a coincidence. This is the menu you specifically requested this morning.” “Oh…” I said, my guilt returning. “Was it a lot of trouble for you?” He wiped his hands with a napkin, his tone detached. “It’s not like today was the only day you’ve been trouble. I’m used to it.” A pang of sympathy hit me. I tugged on his sleeve. “Why don’t you eat with me, then?” Eddie’s body tensed. He touched his nose and cleared his throat. “I only bought one serving.” “Don’t we usually eat together?” I asked, confused again. He turned to look out the window. “…We do. I just already ate today.” I didn’t doubt him and started my meal. While he was drinking some water, I started chattering away. “You know, Eddie, the moment I saw you, I felt like I was starting to remember things.” He choked on his water, coughing violently. For a moment, he completely lost his composure. “You’re remembering?” His voice sounded strained, a far cry from the cool demeanor he’d had just moments before. I nodded. “Yeah. The second I saw you, I just knew we were perfect for each other. It must be because we’re engaged. My fated husband.” I beamed at him. “And even though I have amnesia, my standards for my ideal type haven’t changed a bit. The husband I imagined looks just like you.” Eddie: “…” A faint blush spread across his handsome face, and the tips of his ears turned a deep crimson. He shot up from his chair so quickly he almost knocked over the table. Me: “?” Eddie struggled to regain his composure, but his flushed cheeks betrayed him. He held up his phone. “Uh… I just got a notification from my study group. I have to go back. I need to submit something to my advisor this afternoon.” “Oh, then you should go!” I said, trying to be understanding. “I’m feeling much better. I’ll just rest this afternoon and I should be fine.” He nodded, his voice softer. “I’ll come back to see you later tonight.” He practically fled the room. Wow, being a grad student must be tough, I thought. A message from an advisor is like a summons from the grim reaper. Mr. Miller came back in just as he left. “Eddie’s gone already?” I nodded, smiling. “Yeah. He said he’ll be back later.” Mr. Miller looked relieved. “The doctor thinks it would be best if a family member came to the hospital,” he said. “Your parents are abroad and can’t get back right away. Should I contact your brother?” Brother? I have a brother? Seeing my blank expression, Mr. Miller looked unsurprised. He took my phone, tapped the screen a few times, and handed it back. “This is your brother.” I looked down. The profile picture was a beagle wearing sunglasses. The contact name was “Human Wishing Well.” Our chat history was sparse, consisting almost entirely of money transfers from him to me, and him immediately offering to “take care of” anyone who made me upset. He was faster than Amazon Prime. “Ava, you probably don’t remember, but Ethan is your brother. Not by blood, though. Your parents adopted him,” Mr. Miller explained. “He’s three years older than you and always takes good care of you.” That made sense. I sent him a message. [Brother.] He replied almost instantly with a string of fifty question marks. I had no idea what he was so surprised about, but I typed on. [Are you free right now?] Human Wishing Well: [Of course! What’s wrong? Who’s bothering you this time?] Human Wishing Well: [Send me their info. I’ll take care of them.] Human Wishing Well: [Need some money? I’ll transfer it right now.] Human Wishing Well: [And what did you just call me? Can you say it again? TvT…] What a strange brother. And what a strange request. But I humored him. [Brother, can you come to the hospital?] Another row of question marks appeared, followed by an incoming voice call. I’ve always hated phone calls. Amnesia hadn’t changed that. I ruthlessly declined it. Human Wishing Well: [? Why didn’t you answer? What’s wrong?] Human Wishing Well: [Is this a scammer?!] Human Wishing Well: [Scammers should rot in hell. Give her phone back or I’ll hunt you down.] Me: […Don’t feel like talking. Too lazy.] Human Wishing Well: [Oh, it’s you.] Me: [I have amnesia.] Another long string of question marks. It fit his profile picture perfectly. Human Wishing Well: [Do you still remember who I am?] I was starting to get annoyed. [Yes, you’re my brother, aren’t you?] Human Wishing Well: [Yes!! Yes!! I’m your favorite brother!!] Please stop adding weird adjectives yourself, I thought. I pretended not to see it. [If you’re free, can you come to the hospital? The doctor needs to speak with a family member.] Human Wishing Well: [Send me the address.] After I sent the location, I added, [Don’t worry, it’s not serious,] just in case he was worried. Human Wishing Well: [Okay, I’m on my way ^^.] [No rush,] I typed. [Mr. Miller is here with me. And my fiancé came to visit earlier.] There was a moment of silence. Then, a new, even longer row of shocked question marks. Human Wishing Well: [Fiancé?? Who the hell is that!!?] 3 It wasn't long before Ethan arrived, looking flustered. He was still in a suit and tie, but his short, stylish hair and the single earring in his left ear clashed with the formal attire. “Ava…” he began, sitting by my bed, his face a mixture of excitement and emotion. “So, after losing your memory, I’m the only one you remember?” “Uh, actually, I don’t remember you either…” Ethan: “?” I handed him my phone. “Mr. Miller told me the person with this profile picture is my brother.” Ethan took the phone and glanced at the screen. His mouth twitched. “Why did you save my name as ‘Human Wishing Well’?” I felt like everyone I’d met today belonged in a hospital bed more than I did. “If I knew that, would it still be called amnesia?” “Good point…” Even though my stepbrother seemed a little unreliable, he was the only family I had right now. I tugged on his sleeve and whispered, “Brother, can I be discharged? I want to go home.” Ethan’s heart melted. “Of course! I’ll go take care of the paperwork right now!” He strode to the door, then turned back and cleared his throat. “Oh, by the way, Ava, there’s something I forgot to tell you.” I looked at him, curious. He took a deep breath and said in a low, serious voice, “At home, you’ve always called me ‘Big Bro’.” … Half an hour later, I was in the car on the way home. Ethan kept fussing over me. “Want a drink? How about a snack?” I shook my head, smiling. “No, thank you, Big Bro.” “Ah… Music? A game?” “I’m good, thanks, Big Bro. You don’t have to go to any trouble.” Ethan savored the title, a satisfied look on his face. As I scrolled through our chat history, a question popped into my head. “Big Bro, I get the feeling we didn’t get along very well before.” Ethan bristled like a stray dog. “Who said that! Who said that!” I showed him my phone. “I saw it myself. And my tone with you was… not very nice.” Tears welled up in Ethan’s eyes. “What do you mean, not nice? I thought it was great.” Me: “?” Are you okay, bro? In our chats, I treated him like a dog. If he did anything to displease me, I would chew him out. And he would just take it, never arguing, only saying, [Don’t be mad. It’s all my fault. I transferred you some money. Go buy yourself a nice bag.] How could I have been so awful? But Ethan started listing my virtues. “Look, whenever someone bullied you, you’d tell me to go beat them up. Isn’t that just you being concerned about my health, afraid I’d get a beer belly, making sure I got some exercise?” “And you made me give you money every week. Why? Because you knew I’d just waste it! You were stopping me at the source! And you didn’t buy junk, you bought gold and luxury bags. What’s that? An investment! You were managing my finances for me!” “And sure, sometimes you were a little blunt, but who cares? We’re family! They say the people who love you the most hurt you the most. You love me the most, so I totally get it.” Me: “?” The car pulled into a gated community of villas. As I got out, Ethan held a parasol over my head. “By the way,” he said suddenly, “you mentioned your fiancé came to see you. Who is he?” I smiled. “He said his name is Eddie. Do you know him?” Ethan fell silent. After a long moment, he ground out, “Damn it. My house has been robbed.” “Don’t you dare believe a word he says,” he hissed. “He looks all innocent on the outside, but he’s rotten to the core. A total liar.” Just as he finished, a cynical laugh echoed from the front steps. “Are you introducing yourself?”
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