Past Love Chapter 1

It was the fifth year of my silent, unrequited love for Wesley Sinclair.

Phoebe Heinberg, his impoverished first love, had finally chosen money over romance.

She had sent me a message, asking me to pass it along:

[Jas, Wesley's family won't let us see each other, and they are forcing me to go abroad.

Can you tell him something for me? Tell him I will definitely come back for him after graduation.]

I stared down at those two lines on my screen.

With a calm face, I pressed delete.

That same day, Wesley was involved in a terrible car accident while racing to the airport to catch her flight.

When he woke, he had forgotten everyone, except for me. In his mind, I was his only fiancée.

The once distant, cold young heir transformed into my devoted, clingy shadow, obeying my every whim.

But at our wedding...

His first love returned.

"Wesley, she is a liar!"

Phoebe burst into the chapel, tears streaming down her face.

"She stole my identity and lied to you!

The one you actually love is me!"

As her voice echoed through the hall, Wesley's hand froze, right as he was about to slip the ring onto my finger.

* * *

Wesley and the doctor stepped out of the examination room.

Seeing me waiting outside, he naturally reached out and took my hand, his tone as casual as ever.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Were you about to fall asleep?"

He gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, offering a soft smile to reassure me.

"Don't worry your pretty head over it. The doctor says I'm recovering well. We just need a trigger now."

The specialist beside him quickly chimed in.

"Mr. Sinclair's memory is returning steadily. He is already recalling scattered fragments. However, to fully restore his memory, he needs a significant emotional stimulus. Perhaps take him to places you two used to visit, or surround him with familiar personal items from your past. It will help stimulate his recall."

I swallowed the dryness in my throat, offering a polite smile.

"I understand. Thank you, doctor."

Wesley had been in a severe car accident two years ago. He had forgotten almost everything, but he remembered me as his childhood sweetheart and his designated fiancée.

All day, my mind drifted. Even during our wedding dress fitting, I could barely focus.

The boutique director and the designers presented the custom, high-end gowns flown in from Paris for my selection.

"Is the wedding scheduled for next month, Miss Croft? I'm so envious. I heard you two have known each other for over a decade?"

Before I could answer, a familiar voice cut in.

"Yes, we have."

Wesley walked over, bending down to help adjust the train of my gown. He carefully smoothed out every fold before looking up at me.

"Jas and I grew up together. We were childhood sweethearts."

He stood up, leaning in close to brush his fingers against my cheek, his voice dropping to a whisper meant only for me.

"Jas... you look breathtaking today."

As the words left his mouth, his ears flushed crimson.

My eyelashes fluttered, and I looked away.

"Every girl looks beautiful in a wedding dress."

Wesley arched an eyebrow, clearing his throat with a playful, dismissive scoff.

"None of them can compare to my wife. I only care about how my wife looks in a wedding dress."

The more certain he was, the heavier my chest felt.

I turned toward the changing room.

"I'm a bit tired today. Let's just go with the simple satin gown."

Wesley quickly caught up to me.

"What about the French lace mermaid gown with the intricate beading? Didn't you say that was your absolute favorite?"

He softened his tone, sounding slightly disappointed.

"Jas, you don't need to worry about the cost. Just pick the one you love the most."

My back was turned to him, and I bit my lower lip.

The doctor's words from this morning echoed in my head: Surround him with familiar personal items from your past...

The French lace mermaid gown.

It was indeed my favorite, but it was also Phoebe's favorite.

I could not, under any circumstances, let him recover his memories on the eve of our wedding.

"It's nothing," I lied, forcing a smile as I turned around. "I just don't like it anymore."