Never Look Back: I Found a New Me

Hearing him talk, I couldn't explain why, but an irritation bubbled up in me. I blurted out before I could stop myself, "Who are you? And who is Hannah? What are you talking about?"

The man froze, then frowned slightly and let out a cold laugh. "Hannah asked me to come and apologize to you, but now I think it was completely unnecessary."

"Do you think tricking me is funny? Enough of this nonsense. Go home and reflect on yourself!"

He moved closer, attempting to restrain me.

Suddenly, I started to gag. His presence made me feel nauseous as if he was someone I deeply detested or wanted to forget.

The commotion woke up Wendy, who glared at the man with annoyance. "Simon, haven't you harmed her enough? I told you to just sign the divorce papers. Was I not clear enough?"

After being yelled at by Wendy, a flash of anger crossed Simon's eyes, but it disappeared when he saw the cast on my hand.

"Are you feeling unwell?" His tone unexpectedly became gentle.

His sudden change in demeanor baffled me. I said calmly, "Can you stay away from me? For some reason, your presence makes me feel sick."

As soon as I said that, Simon looked utterly shocked as if he couldn't believe I'd say something like that.

He left in a hurry with a pale face, only muttering, "We'll talk again once you're better."

Wendy cupped my face with both hands and mumbled, "Don't you dare go soft on him."

I smiled faintly. "I don't even know who he is. How could I feel soft toward him?"

A loud thud came from outside, like something had fallen.

Wendy went to check and returned. "Looks like someone spilled a pot of soup."

"You can be discharged from the hospital once your hand heals."

I nodded and unlocked my phone.

My lawyer texted me asking if I'd received the divorce papers.

After talking to Wendy, I learned the truth about my relationship with Simon.

We were married, but I'd already drawn up divorce papers before I lost my memory.

He was also responsible for my injury.

I sighed. "No wonder I had such a bad feeling about him. I always thought I had pretty good judgment."

A few days later, my health had improved significantly. Wendy wheeled me outside to enjoy the sunshine.

That's when we ran into Simon, who was pushing another woman in a wheelchair.

When he saw me, Simon froze and instinctively explained, "Hannah got injured, too. Her manager isn't around, so I've been helping her."

"Mr. Ford, you don't have to explain to me. Since I have given you the divorce agreement, your love life has nothing to do with me anymore."

I gave a slight, distant smile as I began to speak.

"Claire, are you still angry with me and Simon? Are you really going to divorce him?"

Her tone sounded aggrieved, but her eyes were full of provocation and contempt.

"I heard you're playing the amnesia card again. Simon told me you used that trick on him before. How come you're still resorting to such a cliché way of showing jealousy?"

Before I could respond, Wendy couldn't help but laugh. "Oh my! Are you dumb?"

Hannah's face turned pale with anger. Just as she was about to retort, I cut her off calmly. "If you think I'm playing games, why hasn't the man next to you signed the papers? Could it be my tricks actually worked?"

"Enough!" Simon's sharp voice interrupted.

"Claire, focus on recovering. We'll talk after you're well."

He said before wheeling Hannah away.

"There's nothing to talk about," I murmured, gazing at the sky.

I still had so many things to accomplish. I wouldn't let someone who no longer existed in my memories hold me back.

Simon paused noticeably when he heard me, then quickened his pace as if he didn't want to face me.

I stumbled upon countless edited videos of Simon and Hannah on my phone.

My old habit of self-tormenting by watching these clips had taught the algorithm to keep recommending them.

I immediately clicked "not interested" and then announced on social media that I was quitting the industry.

A call from an unknown number came in. When I answered, a tired male voice spoke. "Claire, stop being so stubborn … "

I hung up and blocked the number in one swift motion.

The doctor said my recovery was going well and I could be discharged in two weeks.

Excited, I booked a flight to the Maldives and started researching travel guides online.

I felt a joy I'd never experienced, as if a long-standing knot in my heart had finally untied.

Since I hung up on Simon, a bouquet has appeared in my hospital room daily.

But he didn't seem to know I was allergic to lilies.

Wendy tossed the bouquet aside, her expression stern as she informed the delivery man, "Better late than never doesn't apply here. She's almost recovered, why did he have to cause trouble now?"

That day, I got another apology from an unknown number and as usual, I blocked it.

On the day of my discharge, the sun was shining and a small cat was lazily enjoying the shade of a tree.

While Wendy went to handle the paperwork, I crouched down to play with the cat.

A shadow suddenly loomed over me. Looking up, I saw the last person I wanted to see.