The Heart He Left Behind

"When we were in college, we came here all the time," Vivian said, her voice thick with nostalgia. "We'd stroll around, buying grilled skewers, stinky tofu, candied hawthorns... and we'd always end the night with a bowl of wontons, eating slowly to make the time last."

She looked at me, her eyes glistening. "You always fed me the first bite. You called it a gesture of love. I used to blush and turn away at first, but eventually, I couldn't eat without you doing it."

She laughed softly, lost in the memory. "Neither of us came from money. We didn't want the other to spend a dime, so we'd fight over the bill every time. People used to whisper that we were just showing off."

She kept talking, weaving a tapestry of a perfect past.

Finally, Vivian beamed and pulled a delicate fishbone necklace from her collar. "Look. You carved this for me by hand. I've never taken it off." She leaned in, her gaze intense. "Now... do you remember anything?"

I met her stare. "No."

The warmth on Vivian's face shattered. Expectation curdled into disappointment. Her knuckles went white as she clenched her fists.

"If we were such a loving couple," I said, setting down my chopsticks, "why was I found drifting in a river with no memory? What actually happened to me?"

Vivian opened her mouth, then closed it. She looked like she was choking on a secret.

The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.

A phone buzzed against the table. Vivian snatched it up and hurried outside to answer.

But she wasn't fast enough. I caught the caller ID.

Husband.

So much for that incomparable love, I thought. So much for "dying for each other."

It seemed our fairy tale had a rotten ending.

When Vivian returned, she tugged at my arm, her smile plastered back in place. "I kept everything from our past. It's all in a room at the villa." Her grip tightened. "If you see it, you'll remember."

I nodded. "Fine."

Since things had come to this, I might as well figure out the truth.

An hour later, we arrived at a villa. Vivian led me to a room and pushed open the heavy oak door.

A time capsule.

A bulky computer from five years ago sat on the desk. A yellowing calendar hung on the wall.

And then, the photo.

Me in a sharp suit. Her in a pure white wedding dress. Our fingers interlocked, our smiles wide.

"I recreated your study exactly as it was," Vivian said softly. "Take your time. I'll make you some tea."

She backed out, closing the door gently behind her.

I scanned the room. My gaze landed on a leather-bound diary in the desk drawer. I picked it up and flipped through.

October 1st, Rain.

Vivian wasn't busy today, so we curled up together to watch shows. Listening to the rain... I've never been happier.

I made Vivian a small cake; she fed the first bite to me.

October 20th, Night.

I had a fever. Vivian postponed all her meetings just to stay by my bedside.

Dozens of entries, chronicling every detail between me and Vivian.

I flipped to the last page.

A farewell letter.

Sorry, Vivian. Over this past year, I've felt more and more inferior.

You're too outstanding. Too dazzling.

I'm not worthy of you, so I've decided to leave. Don't look for me, and please don't blame me.

"So I left on my own?"

I frowned. The words made me feel like a coward—a deserter. A pang of guilt struck me; perhaps I had misjudged Vivian's sincerity.

Bang!

The door exploded inward.

A man stormed in, his face twisted with rage.

"Alex Farley!"

He jabbed a shaking finger at me. "Why aren't you dead? Why are you haunting me? It's been five years—are you back to take everything from me?"