"Uncle Gregory Robinson, Aunt Linda Robinson, since Timothy Robinson has forgotten me, let's call off this engagement!"

Amanda Martin's face still carried a sickly pallor after her recent recovery. With both hands, she held out the keepsake that had been exchanged when they got engaged.

Linda's expression darkened instantly. She shot up to her feet. "Amanda, what is this? You know perfectly well you're the only daughter-in-law we acknowledge!"

"You and Timothy grew up as childhood sweethearts. We've all witnessed how deeply he loved you. His memory loss is temporary—sooner or later, he willl remember..."

"Aunt Linda." Amanda cut her off. "I've forgotten too."

Linda froze. She stared at Amanda in disbelief."Amanda... what do you mean?"

Amanda met her gaze steadily. "I don't remember Timothy."

Two weeks ago, she had been in a car accident. When she woke up, she remembered everyone—except Timothy. Her family explained he was her childhood sweetheart.

At six, Timothy vowed to marry her when they grew up.

At twelve, they were kidnapped together.It was Timothy who risked his life to help her escape, while he nearly died at the kidnappers' hands.

At eighteen, their engagement banquet was known throughout the city—from elders to toddlers, everyone knew how deeply Timothy adored Amanda.

By twenty-four, one month before their wedding, Timothy was ambushed by his family's enemies and went missing. When he was finally found, he had lost his memory, and even fallen for another.

Amanda refused to believe the man who once cherished her would forget their past just like that. She exhausted every effort to reignite his memories, binding him with engagement vows and parental pressure—only breeding his resentment.

Now, seated on her hospital bed, she listened to her mother recount their star-crossed history as if hearing strangers' story.

Finally, her mother stared at her impassive face. "Amanda... do you truly remember nothing between you and Timothy?"

Amanda pressed a hand to her chest. The name "Timothy" always sparked an inexplicable ache, making her eyes burn with unshed tears. She took a deep breath and answered: "No."

"Then what about him..."

"Since we've both forgotten, let's call off the engagement." Amanda forced a brittle smile. "He doesn't love me anymore, and I don't love him either. This engagement is just a meaningless formality."

Her whisper hung in the air. "Better to part kindly and set each other free."

"How could..." Linda staggered back, collapsing onto the sofa.

Silence engulfed the vast living room until Gregory spoke hoarsely. "Amanda, you're a remarkable woman. Our Timothy... wasn't worthy of you."

He sighed heavily, turning to the butler standing nearby. "Thomas Lee, go fetch the keepsake we exchanged when they got engaged!"

Linda's eyes welled up as she stood and took Amanda's hands, her voice choked with emotion. "Amanda, even if you can't be our daughter-in-law, Gregory and I will always cherish you like our own daughter."

"Thank you, Linda. It's just..." Amanda lowered her gaze. "My parents plan to shift the focus of the family business overseas. We'll be emigrating next month."

Linda's grip tightened briefly before releasing. "That's... probably for the best." She wiped her tears. "Don't forget to visit me someday, dear."

When the butler handed the engagement keepsake to Amanda, she unexpectedly felt a weight lift from her chest. She secured it carefully and nodded. "I will."

Stepping out of the Robinson estate, Amanda spotted two figures approaching, laughing intimately. Having seen Timothy's photo, she recognized the tall figure at a glance. In pictures, he'd stared at the camera with glacial indifference. Yet now, his gaze at the woman beside him held springtime warmth—tender and unguarded.

A sharp pain radiated from her heart, numbing her limbs and draining color from her lips. She clutched her chest tightly, realizing this must be the leftover feelings she'd once had for Timothy. In this moment, she was infinitely grateful that she'd forgotten everything—otherwise, she would have been utterly humiliated in front of him.

Noticing her presence, Timothy turned to look at her. Instinctively, he stepped forward to shield Samantha Miller. His expression frosted over, disdain stabbing Amanda's eyes. "Amanda, don't think my parents' support means I'll marry you willingly!" His laugh was icy. "You're not worth one of Samantha's fingernails!"

Samantha tugged his protective arm. "Timothy, don't be harsh. You grew up together. This must hurt her."

He sneered. "She threw herself at me. Her pain means nothing." As he spoke, he flashed a malicious smile. "It'd be best if she can't stand this humiliation and gives up soon. That way, she'll stop pestering me every day and ruining our relationship!"

Their voices pierced Amanda's skull like needles. Forcing a smile, she began, "I've already..."

Before she could finish, Timothy lost his patience. He shoved Amanda aside, striding toward the villa with Samantha. Still recovering from illness, Amanda staggered but caught herself against the gate. She barely managed to steady herself, only to find that they'd vanished inside.

She closed her eyes, whispering the unfinished words to the wind: "—called off the engagement."

Never again would she cling to Timothy.

From now on, they'd go their separate ways.

After Amanda returned home, she opened the drawer to put away the engagement keepsake, only to find a journal lying inside.

She picked it up and flipped through pages filled with familiar handwriting.

This was her diary.

"Timothy confessed to me today. He said he'd love me forever. I believe him. After all, he's wanted to marry me since we were kids..."

"Today we went to try on wedding dresses. I'll be marrying Timothy next month. I'm so nervous."

"We found Timothy, but he actually forgot me. He even said Samantha is his only true love..."

"He just hasn't remembered yet, that's why he's being so cruel to me. He loved me so much—how could he forget me? Forget bringing his Amanda home?"

The entries traced her journey from youthful sweetness to wedding joy, then spiraled into the agony of Timothy's amnesia.

Water stains smudged the pages, the frantic scrawl screaming her despair when she'd written those words.

She couldn't bear to read further and slammed the journal shut. Her chest tightened as sharp pain shot through her temples.

She bit her lip, grabbed the diary, and went straight downstairs. She found a lighter and lit the diary. Flames licked the pages hungrily, reducing it to ash within moments.

Still unsatisfied, she gathered every trace of Timothy—photos, gifts, letters—and dumped them into a box. Only when his presence was erased from her room did she haul the box downstairs.

"Amanda, what's all this?"

Pamela Martin's voice drifted from the doorway. She stepped closer, recognizing the box held Timothy's belongings.

Her expression turned cautious, tiptoeing around her daughter's pain. "Sweetie, you..."

"If he's forgotten, this junk is useless. Better to trash it than let it taunt me."

Amanda snorted at her Mom's wary stance. "Mom, stop walking on eggshells. I really don't remember... or love him anymore."

Pamela's heart clenched at her daughter's hollow tone. She pressed her lips together. "Linda's birthday party is next week. If you don't want to go…"

"No need!"

Amanda cut her off. "Aunt Linda treats me like her own daughter. I'm going."

She walked away with the box in her arms, leaving Pamela staring at her retreating back.

On the night of the celebration, Amanda arrived at the venue with her parents.

The moment she entered the ballroom, a hush fell over the crowd. Dozens of eyes locked onto her. Gazes filled with sympathy, mockery, or curiosity landed on her.

Whispers slithered through the air:

"Didn't they say the Robinson heir was madly in love with the Martin girl? How long has it been?"

"I heard she tried every trick to jog his memory, but nothing worked. Instead, he grew utterly tired of her…"

"She's made a fool of herself all over their circle. Is she here to make a scene tonight?"

Amanda's face suddenly paled. The memories might be gone, but the humiliation burned fresh.

Her nails dug deep into her palms as she forced a proper smile and strode into the banquet hall.

Suddenly, gasps erupted ahead.

On the spiral staircase, Timothy descended with Samantha. Her dazzling gown accentuated her radiant features. But all eyes locked onto the luxurious sapphire necklace shimmering around her throat under the chandeliers.

Amanda recognized it instantly—the necklace Timothy had bought at an astronomical auction for their wedding.

People had constantly whispered about Timothy's past devotion to her, so she knew some of those old stories.

Her temples throbbed while an invisible fist crushed her heart. This unfamiliar ache bewildered her. Why did these forgotten memories of Timothy still claw at her?

She couldn't stay another second. She turned to her father and whispered softly, "I need some air."

Then she lifted her skirt and hurried out.

Only when night breeze brushed her face by the fountain did the churning emotions subside.

"Miss Martin!"

A figure appeared beside her. Amanda tilted her head, recognizing the face.

"Miss Miller?"

Amanda frowned. "What is it?"

"Timothy prepared this for the wedding,"

Samantha's fingers brushed her hand gently over the necklace around her neck. "Lovely, isn't it?"

Amanda gave a terse reply, "Quite lovely,"

and turned to leave.

Samantha suddenly seized her wrist, eyes blazing with jealous resentment. "But you know this isn't meant for me!"

Madness flickered in her gaze. "I demand Timothy's exclusive love, so..."

She suddenly released Amanda's hand, and then threw herself backward into the fountain!

"Samantha!"

Timothy's voice cut through the air behind her.

Everything happened too fast. Before Amanda could react, Timothy shoved her aside with brutal force.

Her palms scraped against the ground, skin tearing as blood welled up. Sharp pain radiated from her hands through her entire body.

Splash! Timothy plunged into the water. He hauled Samantha ashore, both drenched and disheveled.

Before Timothy could speak, Samantha choked out between sobs, "Tim... I know I shouldn't have fallen for you while you had amnesia. Miss Martin is your rightful fiancée. Maybe I should just leave and never bother you again!"

She curled into his embrace, trembling like a frightened animal.

Timothy's eyes reddened instantly. He gripped Samantha's wrist. "No one drives you away! Samantha, you're the only one I love!"

Samantha broke down. "Tim, I can't take it anymore—the bullying, the contempt. We're not right for each other…"

"Who says that?!" Timothy snapped, whirling toward Amanda with eyes like frozen daggers. "You pushed her in! Amanda, come at me if you dare! Why target her?!"

Amanda's face turned pale. "It wasn't me."

"Who else could it be?!" Timothy yanked her up by the arm. She stumbled, no match for his strength.

"What are you doing?!" Amanda's pupils contracted in panic.

Without answering, Timothy dragged her to the fountain and shoved her hard.

Icy water swallowed her whole. Her heart gradually turned cold as she thrashed, barely finding her footing.

Wet hair clung to her cheeks. She looked up to see Timothy glaring down. "Amanda," he spat, "nothing you do will ever make me love you."

"Give up."

Amanda barked a laugh. "Timothy, I stopped loving you long ago!"

Timothy's heart lurched. A strange panic flared and vanished just as quickly.

"What trick are you playing now?!"

Amanda climbed out, dripping. She marched toward Samantha. Timothy seized her wrist. "What do you think you're doing!"

Crack! Amanda's palm struck his cheek. Timothy reeled, stunned. Samantha rushed forward. "Miss Martin, how could you—"

Amanda pivoted, shoving hard. Splash! Samantha plunged back into the water.

Amanda's icy, unyielding voice pierced the darkness: "See? This is me pushing her!"

"I won't take blame for what I didn't do!"

Timothy snapped back to reality, fury igniting. "You..."

"Amanda! Timothy!"

Richard Martin and Pamela, Gregory and Linda approached from the distance.

Amanda wrenched free and strode toward her parents.

Timothy stared blankly at her retreating figure.

Seeing Amanda drenched from head to toe, the elders immediately asked what had happened. She brushed off their questions.

She'd resolve matters with Timothy herself. Besides, she was leaving soon and didn't want to strain relations between their parents during these final days.

Two days later, she went to submit her emigration paperwork alone. By the time everything was processed, dusk had settled.

As she stepped out from the emigration office, someone suddenly covered her mouth and nose from behind. The pungent chemical odor overwhelmed her senses, and consciousness slipped away.

When she woke up, absolute darkness enveloped her. Bound securely at wrists and ankles, she lay discarded on the cold floor.

Panic surged through Amanda. Fighting terror, she shouted hoarsely, "Who are you? Why am I here?"

The only reply came as fists began raining down on her body like hailstones!

Amanda was bound tightly, unable to move, forced to endure the relentless beating with no end in sight.

She bit down hard on her lower lip, the metallic taste of blood flooding her mouth as excruciating pain tore through her, making her internal organs feel displaced.

Only when she was beaten into semi-consciousness, her body covered in bruises, did the fists finally stop raining down on her.

Then, the sound of a phone dialing pierced the air.

"Mr. Robinson, your instructions have been carried out."

A familiar voice responded through the receiver, "Good. Erase all traces and send her back."

Amanda's blood ran cold. She'd considered every family enemy, yet never imagined Timothy would do this.

Was it because she pushed Samantha into the water?

Or her relentless pursuit of him?

His hatred ran so deep!

She recalled those who spoke of Timothy's past devotion. How could that man align with this version of him?

Perhaps her memory loss was a twisted blessing.

She no longer ached over his cruelty; only hatred remained.

Agony consumed her, and darkness swallowed her consciousness.

The sharp sting of antiseptic assaulted her senses as she blinked awake. Someone immediately grasped her hand.

"Amanda, you're awake?"

Pamela's eyes brimmed with worry. "Who did this to you? We'll make them pay!"

After a long silence, Amanda whispered, "No, Mom."

"Let it go."

Timothy would've covered his tracks. She had no proof.

She knew her parents would demand justice regardless, but picturing Gregory and Linda's kindness stopped her.

She was leaving soon anyway. These final days, she craved peace—no more endless battles with Timothy.

Seeing her resolve, Pamela simply arranged meticulous care.

On discharge day, Pamela sent a chauffeur bearing an auction invitation.

A phone notification chimed—Pamela's message:

"Amanda, your Grandma's emerald bracelet is auctioned tonight. Bid on it—and anything else you fancy. We'll cover everything!"

Amanda redirected the driver to the auction.

Just as she handed her invitation, Timothy entered with Samantha.

Disdain etched his features as he sneered, "Stalking me here? You're persistent."

Strangely, his words sparked no pain. Her lingering feelings had drained away.

She shot him an icy glare. "Timothy, don't flatter yourself."

Without another glance, she strode past him in her high heels.

Timothy's face stiffened, a vague twinge in his chest making him nearly lose control and chase after her.

Beside him, Samantha bit her lip, tugging lightly at Timothy's sleeve. "Timothy, let's go in too!"

Timothy snapped back to reality and walked in with Samantha.

The auction began promptly. Amanda showed little interest in jewelry initially, remaining disengaged until the bracelet her mother wanted was brought out. She straightened up and started bidding.

The price soared to twenty million. Just when she thought it was secured, a voice cut in: "Twenty-five million!"

Amanda frowned slightly and turned to see Samantha triumphantly holding her bidding paddle. "So sorry, Miss Martin, but I love this bracelet too."

Coldness intensified in Amanda's eyes as she raised her paddle without hesitation. "Thirty million!"

Samantha immediately countered, "Thirty-five million!"

When the bids approached two hundred million, Amanda watched the spiraling situation, nails digging into her palms. With Timothy backing Samantha, this couldn't continue...

Her gaze darkened, voice turning hoarse as she bowed to Timothy beside Samantha. "Let me have it!"

"Timothy, that's my Grandma's heirloom! Even if you dislike me, for the sake of our families' friendship, let me have it!"

Timothy froze momentarily. Seeing Amanda bowing, he felt something wrong. She should always be proud, radiant.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Samantha grabbed his wrist. "Timothy, I truly want it..."

Samantha's tearful expression choked Timothy's words. After a long pause, he took her paddle and announced coldly to the room:

"Grand Gesture Bid!"

Amanda's hands tightened on her lap. The flicker of emotion vanished from Timothy's face. She didn't believe his bid was meant to help her.

Her throat tightened. A sliver of hope remained as she rasped, "What... do you mean by this?"

Timothy turned. His dark eyes regained familiar frost. "Samantha likes it. I won't back down."

Amanda's face turned pale. A sharp ache pierced her chest—whether lingering affection or pure fury, she couldn't tell. "Timothy, must you go this far? Have you forgotten decades of family ties?"

His voice turned glacial. "Nothing matters more than Samantha to me."

Nails dug into her palms. "And if I insist on competing?"

"If you have the gut, you can try." His calm tone struck like a hammerblow. "This auction is mine. Bid sky-high—I'll match it all."

"Well... bravo." The words scraped from Amanda's throat. She collapsed into her chair, watching helplessly as he claimed the bracelet and handed it to Samantha.

The auction ended. Amanda snatched her purse to leave, but Samantha blocked her path.

"Move," Amanda commanded, eyes icy.

Samantha fingered the emerald bracelet. "Want it?"

Amanda narrowed her eyes. "What's your game?"

"Willing to trade?" Samantha dangled the bracelet. "Name your terms."

"Terms?" Samantha toyed with the jewelry. "Stand before everyone. Call yourself the shameless homewrecker who seduced Timothy. Then it's yours."

"You..." Amanda trembled violently. This was dignity trampled underfoot. She knew Samantha's fear: that Timothy might remember everything and leave. So she'd brand Amanda with shame while he loved her most.

"Dream on," Amanda spat through clenched teeth. She couldn't reclaim it alone, but she had parents. She had Gregory and Linda. Decades of Robinson-Martin ties wouldn't shattered by Samantha. She shoved forward. "Get out of my way!"

Samantha's smile vanished. "You brought this on yourself!" She stepped back, flicked her wrist, and the bracelet sailed through the air.

Smack.

It shattered at Amanda's feet, gems scattering like fractured stars.

White noise filled Amanda's mind. Rage, raw and volcanic, surged through her. She whirled and slapped Samantha's cheek, a crack echoing through the hall.

Samantha stumbled, ears ringing. She clutched her reddened face, and eyes flashed with malice. "You dare hit me?"

She screamed, lunging forward to slap Amanda, only to have her wrist brutally intercepted.

"Someone like you? You don't even deserve to lay a hand on me."

Amanda's free hand whipped across her face.

Samantha stumbled back, tears welling up—never had she endured such humiliation since being with Timothy.

She clawed at Amanda's hair, and the two instantly tangled in a vicious brawl.

Slaps traded for punches, both lost in the heat of the fight, oblivious to the panicked crowd fleeing around them.

When they finally broke apart, thick smoke choked the air.

Flames erupted everywhere.

Fire!

Amanda's heart lurched. She immediately released Samantha's arm and instinctively bolted toward the exit.

Samantha lunged and shoved her hard, sending her stumbling into the dense crowd.

Jostled by panicked bodies, Amanda lost her footing and crashed to the floor. Fleeing people trampled over her, oblivious to the woman beneath their feet.

Amanda curled into a protective ball, and shielded her head as searing pain shot through her body. With a desperate burst of strength, she grabbed Samantha's ankle nearby.

Samantha staggered, tumbling forward uncontrollably. Both women collapsed amid rapidly spreading flames.

"Let go!"

Samantha's shrill scream pierced the air as she kicked Amanda viciously. Agony forced Amanda's grip to slacken.

Still enraged, Samantha heaved a burning wooden frame toward Amanda.

Amanda dodged the main impact but couldn't prevent flames from climbing her clothes. Fire licked at her skin, the searing pain triggering violent tremors through her body.

"Samantha! Samantha!"

Timothy's voice cut through the billowing smoke. His gaze locked onto the two figures on the ground.

He instinctively moved toward Amanda, but Samantha's cry halted him mid-stride.

"Timothy, save me!"

Samantha's voice quivered with calculated fragility.

Fading consciousness drove Amanda to reach toward Timothy. "Save... me..."

She saw him pause briefly before sprinting to Samantha, gathering her protectively in his arms.

Amanda's breathing grew shallow. With her last strength, she clutched Timothy's pant leg. He coldly shook her off, scooped Samantha up, and strode away.

Alone in the crimson inferno, Amanda dragged her broken body toward the exit through sheer will.

In her final conscious moment amid scorching heatwaves, a figure seemed to charge recklessly through flames toward her.

Drip, drip... The IV's rhythmic drops pierced Amanda's awareness. The sharp sting of antiseptic flooded her nostrils.

"Amanda!"

Pamela wept with relief at her daughter's awakening. "Thank God you're alright."

Her voice cracked uncontrollably. "What did you do to deserve this? Just discharged, now back in hospital..."

"If Timothy hadn't reached you in time... if he hadn't..."

She couldn't finish the sentence.

Amanda's sluggish mind processed the words. "Timothy... saved me?"

Her last memory showed him carrying Samantha away, abandoning her in the fire.

"Yes, he rushed through flames to carry you out..."

"Why would he save me?"

Amanda interrupted, utter bewilderment in her tone. "He... hates me too much."

Pamela was silent for a moment before murmuring, "Amanda, Timothy used to adore you. Maybe it's his instinct to love you. Are you really..."

"Not going to wait for him anymore?"

Having watched them grow up together, Pamela shared Linda's sentiment. She'd always believed Timothy would become her son-in-law. How had things come to this?

Amanda clenched the bedsheet tightly. After a long pause, she closed her eyes. "Mom, I don't remember what it felt like to love him anymore."

Silence hung in the hospital room before Pamela sighed deeply. She urged Amanda to rest while stepping out to buy food.

The door opened and closed. Lying in bed, Amanda recalled the moment Timothy abandoned her at the fire scene. Not a ripple of emotion stirred within her.

The last remnants of affection had withered. If her memories ever returned someday, perhaps she'd finally stop loving Timothy.

The door creaked open again. Amanda turned her head.

"Mom, you..."

Her voice caught in her throat. She stared fixedly at the figure in the doorway, uttering his name.

"Timothy."

Amanda opened her mouth, recalling her mother's words that Timothy had saved her.

"Tha..." She barely uttered the syllable before Timothy strode forward, seizing her wrist and yanking her off the hospital bed.

The IV needle tore violently from her hand, sending sharp pain radiating through her as blood kept welling up.

Amanda winced, twisting her wrist against his grip. "What are you doing!" she demanded sharply.

Dragging her toward the door, Timothy spoke with urgent desperation. "Samantha's badly injured and bleeding out. The blood bank is low. You share her blood type."

He turned to her, his tone commanding. "You have to donate blood for her."

Amanda froze abruptly. Her wounds tore open under his rough handling, blood seeping through the white bandages.

Her face was deathly pale—clearly unfit for donation.

The corner of her mouth lifted faintly. Suddenly ceasing her struggle, she whispered, "Alright."

Timothy stared, bewildered by her compliance.

"You..." He trailed off, unsure what to ask.

"You saved me once. Now I'll donate blood for Samantha," Amanda said calmly, meeting his gaze. "After this, we're square."

Timothy's grip tightened involuntarily. "No!" he blurted out.

Both froze at his outburst.

Amanda frowned. "If that's not enough, state your terms."

Her eagerness to sever ties inexplicably agitated him. "You're... this desperate to cut me off?"

She lowered her eyes. "I've accepted it. Since you and Samantha love each other, I'll step aside."

"Timothy, you saved my life. Now I'm returning one to Samantha. From today, we're done."

This outcome—long anticipated—brought him no joy. Instead, dread coiled in his chest like something precious slipping away.

He forcibly buried the unease, his voice turning icy. "You'd better keep your word."

In the blood draw room, the nurse hesitated at Amanda's injuries.

Amanda gave a faint shake of her head. "Proceed."

The needle pierced her arm. She watched her blood flow into the bag, her complexion growing paler.

"You can't donate more..." The nurse moved to withdraw the needle, but Timothy burst in.

"Not enough. Keep drawing!"

"But—" The nurse paled. "More could kill her!"

She shouted at Timothy.

"I only care about Samantha living!" he enunciated coldly.

Amanda shivered, her vision blurring. Summoning strength, she asked, "Would my death mean nothing?"

"Correct!"

Her heart lurched. She released a light laugh, almost soothing, telling the nurse: "Continue."

If she died here... consider it life for life.

The last 200cc collected, cold spread through Amanda's body. She staggered to her feet and stumbled out, leaning against the wall as she inched forward slowly.

Passing Samantha's hospital room, she saw Timothy slumped by the bed, dark circles under his eyes.

His hand clutched Samantha's tightly, as if afraid she might disappear.

Her gaze swept over them before she steadied herself against the wall to leave, when a soft murmur reached her ears.

"Amanda..."