Chapter 18
The sea breeze in Millbrook carried salt and moisture as Aria pushed open the glass door of the bookstore, wind chimes singing a clear welcome.
“Morning, Aria.” The owner smiled, handing her a cup of hot tea. “You look well today.”
She accepted the cup, fingertips slightly reddened by the heat, but finding unexpected comfort in the warmth.
Thank you.” She took a sip, tea fragrance blooming on her tongue.
Six months ago, she’d arrived in this completely unfamiliar coastal town with only the cash in her pocket, renting a small apartment with windows facing the ocean where she could hear the tide at night.
Later, she’d found this job.
Days were spent organizing bookshelves, helping customers find books, occasionally reading one or two herself.
Life had become simple, almost transparent.
No past, no memories, and no… that blurry figure who sometimes appeared in her dreams.
‘According to reports, Cross Corporation was officially acquired by Sinclair Industries three days ago. This decision by Sinclair Industries will…*
The TV in the corner was broadcasting financial news. Aria’s hands paused in their book–sorting.
Sinclair…”
Why did that name sound so familiar?
She frowned unconsciously, but her mind remained blank. A customer’s voice from across the store pulled her back to the present, and she responded, pushing the chaotic thoughts aside.
But that night, she had dreams again after a long time.
A man stood in snow, reaching out to her, his eyes gentle and warm.
She couldn’t see his face clearly, but felt inexplicably familiar with him, as if she’d once been held tightly in those
arms.
“Adrian…” she whispered in her sleep.
When she woke, dawn light filtered through the windows, ocean waves murmuring in the distance.
Aria touched her chest–it felt empty, but not with sadness. Instead, there was a sense of release.
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Like finally letting go of something.
She rose, bare feet touching the cool wooden floor, the temperature jolting her fully awake,
In the mirror was her reflection–pale skin, dark eyes, lips neither smiling nor pained.
A completely new Aria.
That evening. Aria sat by the shore, waves gently lapping at lier ankles.
A lighthouse beam swept across the water like a tender gaze.
Watching the dark sea, she suddenly felt like she’d once waited for someone this way.
But that person… would never return.
She touched her chest–still empty, but no longer aching.
Just let it go,” she whispered to the ocean.
The wind scattered her words as waves carried away her past.
Aria stood on her toes, collecting display books from the storefront window as rain began pattering against the glass. As she turned, the door chimes suddenly rang–someone had entered.
Welcome,” she said without looking up, fingers gently arranging books on their spines in perfect order.
otsteps stopped behind her, a shadow falling across her work.
feed help finding anything?” She turned with a professional smile.
Then her expression froze slightly.
The man before her was tall, his black coat dampened by rain, water still dripping from his hair. His features were sharp, jawline tense, and his eyes stared at her with an intensity that seemed to burn her image into memory.
His gaze was too hot.
Hot enough to make her instinctively step back.
“Aria Winters.” The man spoke, his voice hoarse as if he hadn’t talked in days.
She nodded politely: “That’s me. Do you know me?”
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The man’s pupils contracted sharply, his fists clenching and unclenching as his throat worked: “You… don’t remember me?”
She looked confused but shook her head courteously: “I’m sorry, I was injured recently and can’t remember some
things clearly.”
Rain drummed louder in the silence.
The man’s face grew paler by degrees.
Lucas had never imagined that one day, Aria would look at him like a complete stranger.
She’d taken bullets for him, drunk poison in his place, even risked death in an avalanche to save him–but now she looked at him like she’d never seen him before.
‘I’m Lucas Sinclair.” He forced the words out, voice barely audible above the rain.
‘Mr. Sinclair.” She nodded, tone neutral. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
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