Mia blinked in confusion as she looked at Alysse, who was clinging to her arm with surprising familiarity. Before she could say anything, Alysse tugged her gently toward a stool next to Ashley's hospital bed. Mia hesitated but sat down, her gaze flickering to Ashley, who was studying them both with a curious expression.

Ashley tilted her head, her brows furrowing. "Are you close with Mia, Aly?" she asked her younger sister, her tone edged with disbelief. "Since when does a vet like you have celebrity friends?" She scoffed, crossing her arms.

Alysse leaned casually against the bedside table and placed a reassuring hand on Mia's shoulder. "Ash," she said softly, her voice calm but firm, "don't you really recognize Mia?"

Ashley's frown deepened as she turned her gaze to Mia, studying her intently. "Do I need to?" she muttered, squinting slightly. "I mean, I recognize that she's Mia Tran—the actress..." She trailed off, tilting her head as though searching for a missing piece in a puzzle. Suddenly, she gasped.

Mia and Alysse exchanged quick glances before focusing back on Ashley. "What is it?" Alysse asked, leaning forward with concern.

Ashley's eyes widened. "Don't tell me I'm some die-hard fan of Mia's?" she blurted, only to immediately frown. "No, that doesn't feel right. But wait... I didn't, like, hook up with you or something, did I? Like some kind of fling—ouch!" She winced as Alysse gave her a sharp smack on the head.

"Of all the people you could forget..." Alysse muttered, exasperated. "Ash, do you really have amnesia?"

Ashley shrugged, rubbing the spot where her sister had hit her. "That's what the doctors said, isn't it?" She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't even know who or what I've forgotten, but it's strange... There's this nagging uneasiness, like I'm missing something important. It's like—" she paused, clutching her forehead, "—pieces of me are gone, and no matter how hard I try, I can't figure out what they are." She groaned softly. "And then there's this constant headache."

Mia bit her lower lip, her heart aching at Ashley's words. She took a deep breath before standing, unable to hold herself back any longer. Ashley looked up at her, puzzled.

"If your mind can't remember," Mia said, her voice trembling slightly, "could your heart tell you instead?" She stepped closer, leaning down toward Ashley.

Ashley's breath hitched, her eyes widening as Mia lifted her chin gently. "W-what are you doing? W-wait..." Ashley stammered, her chest tightening. Her heart raced, faster than it ever had with Vika. Is this normal? she wondered in panic. Am I having a heart attack? Her hand reflexively clutched her chest, her face flushing as unfamiliar feelings washed over her.

Noticing Ashley's reaction, Mia stepped back, forcing a smile even as pain flickered across her face. "I'm an actress, Ash. Just practicing some lines," she said, her voice light but hollow. Liar, she scolded herself internally.

"Oh." Ashley's shoulders relaxed, though an awkward laugh escaped her lips. "Right... practicing," she mumbled, her gaze drifting to Mia's hand. Her eyes caught on the glint of a ring.

"Are you... engaged? Or married?" Ashley asked, blinking as she slowly met Mia's eyes.

Mia stiffened, her gaze dropping to the ring before looking back at Ashley. Her smile faltered as she glanced at Alysse, who gave her an encouraging nod. With a heavy sigh, Mia chuckled bitterly. "Yes, I'm engaged..." She hesitated, her voice growing softer. "But unfortunately, my fiancée doesn't even remember me."

Ashley blinked in confusion. "Oh... did he get into an accident too?"

Mia chuckled faintly, shaking her head. "She's a woman, not a man," she corrected gently. "And yes, she did." Her voice cracked slightly as she reached out, her thumb brushing softly against Ashley's cheek.

Ashley froze at the touch, her pulse quickening inexplicably. There was something oddly comforting about Mia's hand, a warmth that calmed her frayed nerves. But the feeling only deepened her confusion. Why do I feel this way? she wondered, staring into Mia's sad eyes. Just who are you, Mia Tran?

Mia leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Ashley's cheek. "Please," she whispered near her ear, her voice filled with quiet desperation, "try to remember something—anything."

Stepping back, Mia took a steadying breath before turning to Alysse. "I should go," she said quietly. "I'll visit again soon." Her voice cracked at the last word as she hurried toward the door. I can't stay here any longer, Ash. It hurts too much to see you like this—to see you looking at me like a stranger.

Ashley stared after her, a strange hollowness settling in her chest as Mia disappeared from view.



Ashley's gaze drifted to the hospital window, her thoughts wandering as Vika chattered on about wedding preparations. The words washed over her, distant and hollow, as if they belonged to someone else's life. She tried to focus, but a gnawing unease clawed at her. This is my wedding, she told herself. Shouldn't I feel... something? Instead, all she felt was a void, as though a part of her knew this wasn't right.

But what is right? she wondered, her fingers brushing against the hospital blanket.

With a weary sigh, Ashley chuckled softly and turned her attention to Vika. "Vika," she called out, her tone calm but edged with weariness.

"Yes, Ash?" Vika replied, her face lighting up with a smile.

Ashley's eyes flicked to the others in the room—her mother, brother, and sister, sitting quietly on the couch, listening politely to Vika's endless monologue. Her brow furrowed. "Can you stop?" she asked, pressing her fingers against her temple. "I just woke up not too long ago. All this talk about the wedding, about me being engaged... it just feels—" She paused, searching for the right words. "It feels so off."

Vika raised an eyebrow, her smile faltering. "What feels off?" she asked, her tone dipping into irritation. "Come on, sweetie—"

Elena cleared her throat sharply as she stood, cutting Vika off. "Ashley's right," she said, her voice firm but calm. "Let's not overwhelm her. She's just woken up after a long recovery." She smiled gently at Ashley before turning back to Vika. "If you don't mind, I'd like to speak to my daughter alone."

"But—" Vika started to protest, but the glare Elena shot her silenced her instantly.

Azriel and Alysse exchanged a look before stepping in, each taking one of Vika's arms. Without a word, they guided her out of the room. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving the space quiet save for the soft hum of the hospital equipment.

Elena moved to Ashley's bedside, her expression softening. "Do you remember anything, dear? About what's been happening in your life recently?" she asked gently.

Ashley let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "I remember bits and pieces. I know you came back to Switzerland, that you visited my firm... but the details are so blurry. It's like I'm trying to put together a puzzle, and half the pieces are missing." She rubbed her forehead, frustration flickering across her face. "And then there's Vika... I don't even know how she came into the picture. I'm sure there's someone else I should remember, but I can't. I don't know what's real anymore, Mom."

Elena cupped Ashley's cheeks in her hands, her thumbs brushing softly against her skin. "What about what we discussed before the accident?" she asked carefully. "Do you remember anything about that?"

Ashley frowned, searching her fragmented memories. "What do you mean? I remember telling you I didn't want to take over the company—" She stopped as Elena placed a finger over her lips, silencing her gently.

"You don't remember," Elena murmured sadly. She let out a soft sigh. "But Ashley," she continued, "you met Mia, didn't you?"

Ashley nodded, her confusion deepening. "Yes, but—"

Elena's lips curved into a faint, bittersweet smile. "I don't want to overwhelm you more than you already are, but can you do something for me?" she asked, her voice soft yet insistent. "For your mother?"

"What is it?" Ashley asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Elena glanced toward the door, her eyes narrowing as if she were aware of something—or someone—just beyond it. Leaning closer, she whispered into Ashley's ear, "Whatever they're telling you, especially Vika, don't trust them too easily. And... please try to remember Mia."

Ashley's brow furrowed in confusion. "What?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Mom—"

Elena held a finger to her lips, signaling for silence as her gaze flicked to the door again. The faint shadow of someone standing just outside was visible beneath the crack. Her voice softened to a near-silent whisper. "Mia can help you, Ashley. Stay close to her. She'll help you find the truth."

Ashley stared at her mother, her chest tightening. "Mom," she whispered, gripping Elena's hand tightly, "tell me the truth. Please."

Elena's lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes shimmering with a mix of fear and sadness. "Not now, dear," she murmured, shaking her head. "Not when someone is trying to hurt you." She leaned down, wrapping Ashley in a protective embrace. Her voice was barely audible as she whispered, "Stay safe, my love. And trust your instincts."

Ashley clung to her mother, her heart pounding with confusion and unease. "Mom... what's going on?" she mumbled, her words muffled against Elena's shoulder.

Elena didn't answer. Instead, she kissed Ashley's temple and pulled away, her gaze lingering on her daughter. "You're a detective, Ash," she said softly, her voice trembling with hope. "You'll find your way back—you always do."

Ashley stared at her mother, her thoughts spinning. What is happening? What aren't you telling me? But the words wouldn't come. All she could do was watch as her mother's expression hardened, glancing toward the door once more.

The room felt heavier than ever, the truth just out of reach.