Chapter 1

“Ms. Grace Lambert, in Bed 16, have you recalled anything? You’ve been hospitalized for three days. A family member needs to settle your hospital bill soon,” a nurse stated.

Grace, her head swathed in bandages, offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but I can’t remember my phone’s password.”

“Do you have an emergency contact?”

“I…”

Before she could finish, the door burst open. A young man with sharp features strode in, his impatience evident.

“How many times must I endure this? What game are you playing? You dragged Alice out, resulting in a car accident. If she hadn’t been lucky, you would have ruined her face! Grace, let me be clear—our engagement is off! Stop trying to win me back with these tricks. Even if you threw yourself into a river, I wouldn’t care!”

Behind him, a gentle woman tugged lightly at his sleeve.

“Yancey, I’m fine. Grace didn’t do it intentionally. My injuries have healed; please don’t blame her. Luckily, the shattered windshield missed my face. Otherwise…”

Grace’s eyes flickered with confusion. She touched her bandages. She had only awakened that morning. The nurse had told her she’d barely survived and that they couldn’t reach her family.

Yancey frowned. Handsome in his impeccably tailored suit, he held Alice Lambert close.

“Grace, I like Alice. We grew up together, but I’ve never felt that way about you. You’ve chased me like a lovesick puppy for five years. Isn't that disgusting? Alice never dared confess her feelings because you were always around. I’m making this clear: your behavior is pathetic. Alice and I are together, and we’re intimate. I’m not leaving her!”

Alice, clinging to his arm, a hint of triumph in her eyes, whispered, “Yancey…”

Grace lowered her gaze, watching them. Her heart felt as though ants were devouring it, leaving her breathless. Overwhelmed by emotion, her eyes burned, but she forced composure. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are. I think I have a boyfriend. Do you know his number? Please ask him to visit.”

A faint memory of someone like that existed in the recesses of her mind.

Yancey’s eyes flickered with shock and confusion, then he scoffed. Another act?

A financial news report on the wall-mounted television announced the return of Ethan Henderson, the youngest head of Henderson Group. Rumors circulated about a car accident two years prior, leaving him crippled and half his face scarred, forcing him into seclusion.

Yancey pointed at the screen. “That’s my uncle, Ethan Henderson. He’s your boyfriend. I’ll give you his number. Find him.”

He effortlessly unlocked Grace’s phone and left a string of digits. Beside him, Alice covered her mouth, amusement flickering in her eyes. “Yancey, is this alright? Two years ago, because of her, your uncle…”

Yancey pulled Alice closer, scorn in his gaze. Someone who’d chased him for five years wouldn’t give up easily. This must be a new tactic—playing hard to get. Since she claimed amnesia, he’d let her deal with Ethan, the person she supposedly hated most.

“You have the contact, Grace. Keep up the act for at least a week. Otherwise, even if you beg, I won’t spare you another glance.”