Episode 2

Vivian lay quietly in bed, her mind still struggling to make sense of everything. August sat beside her, answering the doctor’s questions while occasionally glancing over with concern in his eyes. He looked calm on the outside, but she could sense the tension in his posture—like he was trying too hard to stay composed.

The doctor checked her pulse and examined her eyes. “Physically, she’s fine,” he said. “The memory loss may be temporary. Trauma-induced amnesia is common in cases like these.”

August nodded silently, then walked the doctor to the door. As the room quieted again, Vivian glanced around, trying to absorb the details—family photos on the shelf, a soft breeze fluttering the curtains, and the faint scent of lavender in the air.

None of it felt familiar, yet strangely… it didn’t feel wrong either.

Moments later, August returned with a warm cup of tea. “Here. This might help.”

She took it gratefully. “Thank you.”

A silence lingered between them—gentle, not awkward.

“Do you remember anything?” he asked carefully.

Vivian shook her head. “Nothing. Not even my name… until you said it.”

August smiled faintly. “You used to love books. I used to catch you reading late at night under the covers.”

A spark lit in Vivian’s eyes. “I like books,” she said softly. “I think… I always did.”

He smiled more genuinely now. “That’s something.”

As she sipped her tea, the door creaked open again.

“Vivian…”

That voice. Deep, low, and emotional.

A tall, striking man entered the room. Jet black hair, sharp jawline, stormy blue eyes rimmed with redness. He looked like someone out of a dream—or maybe a nightmare.

August immediately stood, blocking his path. “Valentine—don’t rush her. She just woke up.”

Valentine didn’t even glance at him. His eyes were locked on Vivian, as if she was all he had been searching for.

Vivian blinked, taken aback by his intensity. She didn’t recognize him, but there was something… painful in his expression. Like he had waited lifetimes to see her.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t mean to disturb you. I just—needed to see you.”

“Who are you?” she asked, cautious.

He took a step forward, slowly. “Valentine Valare. Your fiancé.”

Valentine... The name echoed in her mind.

Valentine—the villain from the novel. After Vivian’s death in the story, he had lost all sense of sanity. Devastated and broken, he became obsessed with the female lead, Selena Hale—Vivian’s cousin, who shared the same hazel-green eyes.

Selena had been drawn to him at first—he was, after all, a perfect man. But being involved with her dead cousin’s fiancé felt wrong. She couldn’t bring herself to be someone’s stand-in.

So she rejected him and chose the male lead, Sebastian.

Valentine, unwilling to let go, did everything he could to win her back—even attempted to kill Sebastian.

His obsession grew so deep, he even forced Selena to dye her beautiful blonde hair black.

To be continued...

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