I was hit by a car and suffered a brain injury while trying to save my fiancé.

Before I was taken to the hospital, I accidentally saw him locked in a kiss with his assistant, Sarah Mineli.

I suspected he was cheating, so after I woke up, I pretended to have amnesia to test him.

"Do we know each other?"

Ethan Meyer paused, his expression faltering. Then he suddenly pointed at his best friend.

"I'm your fiancé Grayson Hudson's closest friend. I came to attend your engagement ceremony."

I watched as he and Sarah stood there, their fingers tightly intertwined, my face turning deathly pale.

Grayson stepped forward and draped his coat over my shoulders.

"Baby, I'm your fiancé," he said softly. "It's my fault I couldn't protect you."

I felt the warmth of his palm and gave a faint smile.

"Then let's go home," I said. "We still have an engagement ceremony to prepare for."

The moment my words fell, Ethan Meyer's expression darkened, then a flicker of excitement crept in.

Without another word, he dragged Grayson Hudson out of the hospital room.

I followed quietly behind them and heard him whisper at the stairwell.

"Grayson, I'm begging you—help me put on a show! Pretend to be Lisa's fiancé. Just cover for me until the engagement ceremony. It's only a month. It'll go by quickly. Please!"

His tone was matter-of-fact, even laced with a hint of impatient indulgence.

"During this time, I want to be with Sarah… enjoy myself before the wedding."

Grayson didn't respond. He simply stared at him, brows drawn tight.

After a long moment of silence, he finally agreed.

I lowered my head, a wave of bitterness rising in my chest, and slipped quietly back to my room.

My injuries weren't severe. By the afternoon, after completing the discharge procedures, Grayson drove me home.

Inside the confined space of the car, an unfamiliar presence slowly pressed in around me.

My body tensed. I picked at my nails, my palms damp with sweat.

Grayson held the steering wheel steadily, his gaze flickering toward me from time to time—intense, almost burning.

The instant our eyes met, I hurriedly turned to look out the window.

The light turned red, and the car came to a slow stop.

He looked at me and handed over a tissue.

"Lisa… have you really forgotten everything?"

I didn't answer. I simply nodded.

Suddenly, he leaned closer and took my hand, holding it firmly.

"It's okay if you've forgotten me. I'll help you remember—little by little."

I looked up and met his gentle gaze. My stiff body began to relax without me realizing it.

Back at the villa, after taking my medication, he settled me into a guest room to rest.

Before turning off the lights, Grayson pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

"I'll be right next door. Call me if you need anything."

I slept deeply, more soundly than I had in a long time.

When I woke again, it was already the middle of the night.

Thirsty, I got up and went downstairs for water—only to see Ethan had come over under the pretense of picking something up.

He lowered his voice, his tone pleading.

"Grayson, remember to make it convincing. Don't let Lisa see through it."

Grayson's voice carried a clear edge of displeasure.

"If Sarah is all you care about, why not break off the engagement and marry her? Is it fair to treat a woman who loves you like this?"

Ethan lit a cigarette and propped his foot on the coffee table.

"What do you know? I'm the eldest son of the Meyer family. Sarah comes from nothing—how could she possibly be worthy of me? If we're talking about becoming Mrs. Meyer, Lisa is the better choice."

Grayson seemed at a loss for words.

"Aren't you afraid that if Lisa regains her memory, she'll leave you for good?"

He let out a scoff, his voice certain.

"She loves me so much. When the time comes, a little coaxing and she'll come right back."

Leaning against the doorway, I felt as though my heart were being pierced over and over by fine steel needles—rage and pain twisting together.

So this was what I meant to him. A woman he could manipulate at will.

I wiped away my tears and steadied my voice.

"Darling."

The living room fell deathly silent.

Ethan spun around, his face draining of color. He thought I had overheard everything and rushed to explain.

But I walked straight past him and threw myself into Grayson's arms. I wrapped my arms tightly around his waist, my voice trembling.

"Darling, why are you here? I just had a nightmare… I was so scared…"

Grayson stiffened slightly, then gently raised a hand to stroke my back.

We stood there in an embrace—looking, to any outsider, like a deeply devoted couple.

But to Ethan, the sight darkened his expression instantly. He opened his mouth to speak, only to be silenced by a glance from Grayson.

Grayson guided me to the sofa, then got up to pour me some water. He cut fruit into small pieces and fed them to me.

Afterward, he brought over a blanket and draped it carefully around me.

Every movement was gentle and attentive, as if afraid the slightest misstep might make me uncomfortable.

All the tenderness I had longed for countless times—yet never received from Ethan—was now being given to me by the man before me.

Warmth mingled with bitterness, quietly surging in my chest. And yet, the kinder he was, the deeper my confusion grew.

The Grayson I once knew had always been distant and indifferent toward me—even openly resistant. I didn't even know when I had offended him.

But now, the care and gentleness he showed me felt nothing like someone who disliked me.

Even in an act, a person's eyes can't lie.

So what exactly was going on?

Under the dim lighting, a charged, intimate tension flowed quietly between us.

My cheeks grew warm. The tips of Grayson's ears flushed red.

To Ethan, the sight was almost unbearable. As if acting on impulse, he stepped between us.

"The Meyer family is hosting a private dinner tomorrow. You should both come."

Grayson frowned slightly, about to refuse, but I spoke first.

"Okay."

I wanted to see just how badly Ethan could play out this farce.

The next day, we arrived as promised.

The moment we stepped into the banquet hall, we saw Ethan with Sarah held tightly in his arms.

When Sarah looked at me, the provocation in her eyes was unmistakable.

I let out a soft laugh.

In truth, I had noticed long ago that something between her and Ethan was far too intimate—something wasn't right.

But when I confronted him, he had only laughed it off.

"Lisa, you're overthinking it.

"She's alone in this city with no one to rely on. I'm just looking out for her.

"Sarah is a simple girl. Don't be so hostile toward her."

He had denied everything back then. And now, taking advantage of my "amnesia," he had the audacity to bring her openly into the spotlight.

I ignored them completely and tightened my grip on Grayson's hand.

A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes before he pulled me into his arms.

With Grayson present, no one dared speak out of line to me. They only gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves.

When Ethan saw us, he walked over, still holding Sarah's hand.

"You two are holding on pretty tightly. Afraid you might lose each other? I have to say… I didn't expect your relationship to be this strong."

His tone dripped with mockery, but I replied calmly, "Of course. We're engaged—naturally, we're close."

My words left him speechless, and the air turned instantly cold.

His gaze lingered on me, his expression dark and stormy.

Seeing him like that, I found it almost laughable.

He was the one who pushed me toward Grayson—so what was he so upset about now?

Sensing the awkward tension, someone suggested drawing lots to choose dance partners.

Sarah stepped forward first and drew Ethan.

As the music began, the two of them, dressed in formalwear, moved together in a lingering, intimate dance.

From time to time, Ethan glanced my way—only to find me completely indifferent, standing beside Grayson with a faint smile.

His expression darkened.

Suddenly, he pulled Sarah close and kissed her passionately in the center of the dance floor.

The heated display sent the room into an uproar—champagne was splashed, and cheers erupted.

And I stood there, calm and unmoved—not even a flicker of discomfort crossing my face.

Though he knew I had "lost my memory," my composure seemed to irritate him deeply.

In the next round of drawing lots, Ethan ended up picking me.

People around him shot him meaningful looks.

Awkwardly, he walked toward me, about to extend an invitation—when Sarah's eyes suddenly reddened.

Clutching his arm, tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Darling…"

His heart softened instantly. He let go of his intention without hesitation.

"I'm not interested in dancing with you. I'm not going to upset my girlfriend over a dance."

I gave a slight nod, my tone composed.

"That's fine. I wouldn't want to make my fiancé unhappy by dancing with another man, either."

With that, I turned naturally toward Grayson and gently took his hand.

My response made Ethan's expression sink.

It seemed he couldn't accept that the woman who once had eyes only for him now felt nothing at all.

Just as he was about to speak, Grayson took my hand and led me onto the dance floor.

We moved in perfect harmony, every step effortless—our presence rendering Ethan and Sarah's flamboyance dull by comparison.

When the music ended, Grayson steadied me, his voice laced with concern.

"This party shows you no respect."

Before I could respond, he had already wrapped an arm around my waist and guided me toward the exit.

"Let's go home."

"Grayson!"

Ethan chased after us, urgency filling his voice.

"Don't get too carried away with the act!"

Grayson's hand trembled slightly in mine.

"What act? I don't know what you're talking about."

He tightened his grip on my hand, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"My love for Lisa has never been an act. I'll say this again—anyone who dares disrespect my fiancée is making an enemy of me."

The moment his words fell, the room went silent.

Ethan was stunned at first, then seemed to arrive at some conclusion of his own. He probably assumed Grayson was covering for him.

With a scoff, he looked at me, his eyes laced with mockery.

"Lisa, do you really think your fiancé loves you? You must've forgotten how he used to treat you."

Before he could finish, Grayson took me away.

Back at the villa, I watched Grayson busy himself taking care of me, my confusion deepening.

I looked at him quietly and asked softly, "Grayson… do you really love me?"

He didn't hesitate. His gaze was earnest, burning with sincerity.

"Yes. I always have."

There was something in his eyes—too open, too real—that made my heart tremble.

Over the next month, he set aside all his work to stay by my side. Our days were simple, yet filled with a quiet happiness. His gentle, thoughtful care seeped into every corner of my life, bringing me an unfamiliar sense of peace.

One day, I casually mentioned that I wanted to go to an amusement park. He immediately set aside what he was doing.

"If you want to go, I'll take you."

The park was lively, filled with laughter and bright sunlight.

But not long after we entered, we ran into Ethan and Sarah.

Ethan had always loved extreme sports, despite his weak heart. In the past, I never let him go near anything dangerous—yet he always complained that I was too controlling.

Now, he had finally broken free from my restraints and found someone like Sarah who indulged him.

I used to beg him to come to the amusement park with me for photos, but he always brushed me off, calling it childish.

Now, for Sarah, he was willing to break every rule.

When Ethan saw us, he walked straight over.

Looking at me, his tone carried deliberate showmanship.

"Sarah wanted to play, so I rented out the whole place. If you want to join, you're welcome."

I said nothing, my expression calm.

Grayson suggested taking me to another park, but I shook my head.

"Since your buddy is treating us, we should accept."

The two of them got on the roller coaster. As it slowly climbed to the top, rose petals and balloons suddenly rained down from the sky.

With his arm around Sarah, Ethan kissed her openly, as if no one else existed.

Gasps and cheers rose from the surrounding crowd as people snapped photos—the scene was extravagant and romantic.

I remained expressionless, as though watching a performance that had nothing to do with me.

After they got off the ride, Ethan looked especially pleased—perhaps delighted at how he could juggle two women at once.

He walked over, lifting his phone slightly.

"I'm planning a birthday party for Sarah. You should come."

I glanced at it and replied evenly, "Sure."

Before his expression could soften, I turned to Grayson beside me.

"Darling, why don't we go pick out our wedding outfits before the party?"

Grayson froze, his eyes instantly flooding with excitement and joy.

"Of course. I'll get you the most beautiful wedding dress—make you the most stunning bride in the world."

The smile on Ethan's face stiffened at once. He probably believed I would always be the woman who could never live without him.

But what he didn't know was that the moment he chose to deceive me, I had already decided to replace him.