Chapter 19
The formal address hit like a blade, stabbing straight at Alexander’s chest. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something. However, he quickly realized he had nothing to say.
What could he possibly tell her?
That she once loved him so much that she’d risk his life? But all those sacrifices had never
been for him.
Should he ask her why she had left him? But she didn’t even remember who he was.
In the end, he looked away defeatedly and said hoarsely, “It’s nothing. I mistook you for someone else.”
With that, he turned and pushed through the door, practically fleeing the scene. Alexander stood in the rain and let the icy water soak through his clothes. He thought about Vanessa’s expression just moments ago. It was so clear, so unburdened.
There was no love or hate, not even a flicker of emotion.
Vanessa had truly forgotten everything. She no longer remembered him, Matthias, and all that pain and obsession.
The rainwater dripped down Alexander’s chin as he raised his hand to wipe his face. He was unable to tell if it was rain or something else entirely.
Inside the bookstore, Vanessa watched the man’s retreating figure, an inexplicable feeling stirring in her chest.
She shook her head and continued organizing the shelves. When her fingers touched a book titled “A Car Crash Survivor’s Story”, her temple suddenly throbbed with sharp pain.
The screeching sounds of brakes and shattered windshield glass. The image of someone holding her tightly, warm blood dripping onto her face.
“Nessa, live on…”
The book slipped from her hands and fell to the floor with a thud.
Vanessa staggered and gripped the bookshelf for support, darkness clouding her vision.
A strong hand with defined knuckles suddenly appeared, steadying her firmly. “Careful!”
“T-Thank you,” she said, instinctively stepping back to regain space.
Alexander had returned. His hand hung awkwardly in the air. It was as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.
Chapter 10
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His stare was too intense, making Vanessa self-consciously touch her face. “Do I have something on me?”
“No,” Alexander replied in a low, strained voice. “It’s just that… you remind me of someone I knew.”
“Oh, I see.” Vanessa flashed a polite smile and turned to organize the next row of books. But she could feel that burning gaze following her every move like a shadow.
“Excuse me…” Alexander followed her. “How long have you been working here?”
“Three months and seven days,” she answered without looking up.
Alexander held his breath. “Before this?”
“Before?” Vanessa finally turned to him, brows furrowing. “I’m sorry. I had an accident last year. A lot of things are blurry.”
The rain suddenly became heavier.
Alexander’s face appeared unnaturally pale under the dim lighting, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “You really… don’t remember a single thing?”
Vanessa shook her head with an apologetic smile. “If you’re looking for someone, you might have the wrong person. My name is Vanessa York, and I’m the new clerk at this bookstore.”
“Vanessa York,” he pronounced each syllable deliberately, as if rolling them over his tongue. ” You really… don’t remember Alexander Hawke?”
“Alexander… Hawke?” she repeated softly, her brow furrowing slightly.
The name pricked at something buried deep, like a needle slipping into fog. However, the feeling passed too quickly. She asked, “I’m sorry. Am I supposed to know you?”
“We… used to be close,” he replied in a hoarse voice. “You worked for me for five years.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “I seriously don’t remember. Wait, how do I know you’re telling the truth?”
Alexander instinctively reached for his wallet but stopped midway. What did he even have to prove? A photo? Vanessa was never in his private albums.
A gift? He’d never given her anything personal.
A work ID? It only showed an impersonal job title.
Finally, he said in his strained voice, “You have a scar on the inside of your right wrist. You got it when you protected me from a broken bottle.”
Vanessa immediately clutched her wrist. A faint, pale scar was indeed there. Her expression changed slightly. “Please have a seat. I’ll make some tea.”
In the break room, her hands shook so badly that she could barely hold the teapot steady. She called out, “Mr. Hawke?”
Alexander turned around, his conflicted look sent a chill down her spine. “You never called me Mr. Hawke.”
“Then what did I call you?”
“Just Alexander.”
Vanessa handed him the tea carefully, and she avoided touching his fingers. “I’m sorry. I really don’t remember.”
“I understand…” Alexander suddenly interrupted, setting the tea back on the counter and preparing to leave. “I apologize for disturbing you.”
“Wait!” Vanessa called out impulsively. “If you really are someone I knew, could you tell me what kind of person I used to be?”
Alexander stood in the rain, not turning back. “You were… a very stubborn person,” he said, his voice could barely be heard in the storm. “You were so stubborn that you gave up your entire youth just to keep a promise.”
The door chime rang clearly as his figure disappeared into the pouring rain.
