The guy probably noticed me glancing at the patio door, expecting someone to pop out.
"Terry had to use the bathroom urgently. She was eating my ear off the whole ride here because the bathroom pipe broke," he said, rolling his eyes like he survived a World War.
But then his face turned grave when his eyes settled on me again.
"I heard about the accident. But I didn't think it was this bad. You look like a zombie from one of those apocalypse movies." His eyes swept over me from head to toe.
The zombie comment—he casually breathed out—took a straight punch to my pride. I couldn't prove him wrong because that's what my reality looked like.
There were so many things I didn't know. And to tell the truth, I was scared. Every moment felt like I was walking in the dark with my hands tied. I don't know who these people were or what my relation to them was supposed to be. The still darkness was starting to become suffocating.
I wished someone knew that I wasn't the person they thought I was. But my mind refused to trust anyone—and I didn't know where these trust issues stemmed from.
Still, if I wanted to survive in this world, I needed to take the first leap of faith, whether I liked it or not.
Lora suddenly placed a tiny hand on top of mine, grabbing my attention. Those innocent eyes stared up at me with animated focus as if she could see right through me.
Struggling with her oversized dress, she stood on the couch beside me and leaned in, covering her mouth with her chubby little hands.
"He's Jace! You go work with him. And Terry... Rissie's bestest friend... and me." she whispered in a jumble, stumbling on words.
Shock rolled through me, making me go taut like a bowstring. I stared at her, unable to hide my horror.
What—why—
Lora looked at me with wide eyes, clasping her hands to her mouth, like she'd said something that she wasn't supposed to. Then, from underneath her palm, she gave me a tiny, mischievous grin—like I was her partner in crime.
A shudder skittered down my spine. I was stunned into silence while my mind spiraled into its grave.
Why did she say that and then cover her mouth?
Why's she grinning at me?
There's no way she knows I lost my memory...
Right?
Or does she?
Jace shifted from foot to foot, clearly unable to grasp the scene playing right before him.
Footsteps approached and halted before the patio door.
A tall woman stepped inside wearing black stilettos and a tight cocktail dress. With her lean figure, tanned skin, and auburn hair, she was the type who definitely turned several heads without trying.
My eyes were so engrossed on her that I almost missed a small figure standing behind her.
Another kid—six or seven years old—stood there. Unlike Lora's soft, warm gaze, this one had pure golden eyes that watched me like a predator sizing up prey: silent, unblinking, unnervingly steady.
Jet-black hair curtained his forehead, and the black high-neck and pants he wore made those eyes stand out even more. The contrast gave him a handsome yet unsettling aura… like he was far too old for that small body.
The woman—Terry—crossed the room in four long strides and clasped me into a bear hug, knocking the air out of me yet again.
"Bitch, where were you?! How did this—hic—how did this happen to—hic—sob." Then it was as if a dam broke loose. Her girly voice sounded like a baby's wail as she wept her heart out on my shoulder. I awkwardly patted her back, trying my best to soothe her.
The boy, arms folded, just stood there, observing the scene. His eyes glinted when our gazes met. A small frown tugged at his elegant eyebrows.
What's his deal? Does he have some grudge against me?
These people were really an odd bunch. Calling them odd was an understatement. They were both strangely weird and weirdly strange.
Were they a family?
But they didn't look the least bit related—except maybe the two kids with the same golden eyes.
The weeping beauty at last quieted down, though she still refused to let go. But thankfully, Jace peeled her off me, with a resigned sigh.
Her pretty face was a mess, smudged with makeup and tears. Sniffling with puffy eyes, she settled on my other side on the couch.
What kind of shitshow have I got myself into?
These people acted like they were close to me. At least that's how they seem to be. If they are gonna stay with me starting today, they'd definitely find out about the truth sooner or later. The two kids already seem to know something. Two pairs of golden eyes pinned me in place, making my hair stand on end.
I glanced at each one of them.
Jace held Terry in a half-hug, looking annoyingly like a picture-perfect couple.
Lora clung to me like I was her lifeline.
And the boy leaned against the doorway, arms folded, staring me down with narrowed eyes like I'd stolen his most treasured candy.
I don't know why, but my mind felt strangely at ease,70unlike when I was with Drake. That boosted my confidence. It's now or never.
"I'm sorry to say this, but... I've lost my memory." I croaked, "I actually don't remember anything."
I gave them a half-forced, half-awkward apologetic smile. All eyes pinned on me.
Jace snorts, "Nice one, Rissie, but that's really not helping the situation."
Terry went completely still, and Jace gaped at me like I'd spoken alien.
But the kids... They didn't even blink
They already knew.
The boy's lips twitched. Or did I imagine that?
I made a mental note that these were no ordinary kids, and I needed to keep an eye on them.
The air thinned to silence. Terry's hands trembled. She clenched them into tight fists as her eyes desperately searched mine.
"W—what do you mean by you don't remember anything?!" she asked, panic lacing her voice.
"Exactly what I said. Nothing,"
I kept my tone calm, trying my best not to trigger her again.
Jace dragged a hand through his hair, trying to form words, but he failed.
Terry swayed. Eyes rolled back.
And then she dropped like a stone—unconscious.