Leaves Fade, No One Returns

As teens, my childhood sweetheart Wyatt and I were in his room watching a forbidden movie. He kissed me just as the door openedboth sets of parents saw.

Under their scolding, Wyatt vowed to marry only me. We became Crestviews golden couple, but as the wedding neared, he vanished after taking down a Southeast Asian black market ring.

I searched globally, found himbut hed lost his memory. He kept his promise, and we married. Yet for seven years, our home was cold and silent. He eventually moved to a remote Zen retreat, leaving me alone in our mansion.

Then my father was framed for fraud. Wyatt used all his influence to clear our name, and took a poisoned needle meant for me. Dying, he whispered, In this life, Ive failed no one but Evanna. I owe her a life. In the next, dont look for me. Let me live simply with her in the Old City Tenements.

Through tears, I agreed.

When I opened my eyes, I was back to the day I first found Wyatt.

The evening breeze from Victoria Harbor carried the damp, salty scent of the sea, and the citys neon lights shimmered like scattered jewels.

Beside me, Mrs. Quinn was weeping with joy.

Is Wyatt really here?

Yes, maam, an assistant confirmed. A Miss Evanna Ross rescued him from the docks. Theyve been living together in this tenement building ever since.

Ill go up myself.

I snapped back to reality.

The smart watch on my wrist cast a cool, blue glow in the fading light.

Before me, the worn fa?ade of the tenement building was a chaotic web of electrical wires. A cheap, festive wedding decoration was taped to one of the windows, its bright red color jarring against the grime.

This was it. The place Wyatt had spoken of over and over again as he lay dying. The Old City Tenements.

On instinct, I reached out and stopped Mrs. Quinn. Wait.

She turned, her expression puzzled. Autumn, whats wrong?

In my past life, by the time I found this place, Wyatt had already fallen in love with the bubble tea girl who had saved him. They were about to get married.

I had tried to reason with him, but he was adamant about staying in the tenements with her.

To bring him back, I had called in Mrs. Quinn and a team of top neurologists.

And it was on this very night that Wyatt, after seeing his mother, finally agreed to undergo deep hypnosis therapy.

The next day, his memory returned, and he agreed to come back to our life on the Peak.

But no sooner had we left, the bubble tea girl, Evanna Ross, committed suicide by overdose.

Her death became an unbridgeable chasm between Wyatt and me, a knot that could never be untied.

Even as he lay dying to protect me, his last wish was for another life, a chance to have a happy ending with her.

Thinking of this, I suppressed the sharp pain in my chest and spoke in a low voice. Mrs. Quinn, theyre about to be married.

Mrs. Quinn patted my hand reassuringly.

Silly girl. Wyatt has only temporarily lost his memory. Once he remembers, hell know who the most important person in his life is.

You two grew up together. Weve all seen the bond youve shared for over twenty years.

I took a half step back. Theres something Ive never had the courage to tell you. Seeing Wyatt fall in love with someone else because of his amnesia perhaps its a sign from fate.

I my uterus is damaged. Its very unlikely Ill ever have children.

The only sound was the distant horn of a ferry.

Mrs. Quinns face went white, her lips trembling. Youre still so young. Modern medicine is so advanced

The worlds leading specialists have already confirmed it, I said, my tone firm.

For two years, I had traveled through the most dangerous parts of the world searching for Wyatt. The physical toll had been immense, and Id never paid any mind to my irregular cycles. It wasnt until our relationship thawed years into our marriage, when we started trying for a child, that the doctors told me my chances were almost zero.

After a long silence, Mrs. Quinn let out a heavy sigh. Even so, the Quinn family will not abandon you. And that boy, Wyatt, he wouldnt care about that.

I bowed slightly. My mother passed away when I was young, and you have always treated me like your own daughter. I am forever grateful for your kindness, but I cannot let the Quinn family line end with me.

In our past life, though Wyatts memory had returned, he always believed that his mother and I were responsible for Evannas death. He treated us with an icy indifference. He spent his years in that remote monastery, and during that time, not only did I lose a husband, but Mrs. Quinn effectively lost her son.

Mrs. Quinn sighed again, a sound heavy with resignation. Fine. We wont disturb Wyatt today. Well reconsider our options.

When we returned, Mrs. Quinn immediately summoned her private medical team to examine me. The results confirmed what I had told her.

The lead physician considered the charts. With several years of intensive conditioning, there might be a slim chance, but there are no guarantees.

I handed back the engagement gift, a ring that was also an encrypted chip. My fate with the Quinn family has run its course. Since Wyatt no longer remembers, perhaps its best to let nature take its course. We can all go our separate ways and find peace.

Mrs. Quinns expression was a mix of sorrow and conflict.

The next day, I continued to press my case. At first, she still refused to accept Wyatts marriage to the bubble tea girl.

But then she saw it with her own eyes: the fierce, protective way Wyatt shielded Evanna. In the end, her heart softened for the son she had almost lost forever.

We returned to the tenements.

The iron gate creaked open. When Evanna Ross saw me, the color drained from her delicate face. My previous visits had already put her on high alert.

She wore a cheap red dress, her eyes wary. What what are you trying to do now?

Ive told you, Wyatts head injury hasnt fully healed. If you try to force him to leave, youll only hurt him.

When did I say I was taking him? I replied calmly. Wyatt is the sole heir to the Quinn Corporation. His mother now approves of your relationship. Theres no need to rush the wedding.

During my previous attempts, Evanna had always used Wyatts injury as an excuse to keep me away, blocking me at every turn.

Evanna bit her lip. Youve come to see my fianc again and again. How do I know this isnt some scheme to break us up?

Hearing this, Mrs. Quinn, standing behind me, bristled. Are you suggesting I would lie about a promise I made myself? Besides, even if my son is injured, he has access to the best medical teams in the world. You dont need to be so alarmist.

Mrs. Quinn came from a prestigious family and carried an aura of command. Evanna seemed intimidated, and tears welled up in her eyes. She stumbled backward and fell to the ground.

But but his headaches only my massage can relieve them. Its a family technique

What are you doing here?

A tall figure strode forward, helping Evanna to her feet and pulling her behind him. He looked at us with the cold, unfamiliar eyes of a stranger.

Ive said it before. I dont care who you are. Evanna saved my life, and she is my wife. If you continue to treat her like this, dont blame me for being rude.

At his words, Mrs. Quinn swayed. I had been prepared for this and quickly stepped forward to support her.

This is your mother, I said, my brow furrowed as I met his deep, familiar yet alien gaze.

Wyatt froze. His eyes scanned Mrs. Quinns face, noting the subtle resemblance in their features. After a moment, he spoke.

Mom? Im sorry.

From behind him came Evannas soft sobs. Wyatt, so its true Are you still going to marry me?

The plan today had been to bring Wyatt and Evanna back to the Peak, but Evanna insisted on having a simple ceremony here first. Mrs. Quinn had no choice but to agree.

Inside the cramped tenement apartment, two figures stood side by side, their every movement filled with a tender affection.

I stood off to the side, my mind drifting far away.

I saw a sun-drenched terrace at our villa in Repulse Bay. A boy with a bright smile tossed a custom USB drive to me.

Autumn Caldwell, Im going to marry you someday. This is my promise.

I looked up, but his face was a blur against the backlight. Only his voice remained, warm and resolute.

I snapped back to the present just as the two of them exchanged cheap, simple wedding bands. The ceremony was complete.

The next day, we set off for the Peak.

Along the way, Mrs. Quinn, seemingly unwilling to give up, deliberately brought up stories from Wyatts and my childhood.

At your first birthday party, you werent interested in the keyboard or the model gun. The first thing you reached for was Autumns hand.

When you were seven, you stole the original Bitcoin wallet from your fathers safe. You got a thrashing for it, but we later found out youd given it to Autumn.

Mrs. Quinn was getting animated, but I noticed Wyatts expression growing darker and darker. I quickly cut in.

Theres a coffee shop up ahead. Why dont we take a break?

Mrs. Quinn nodded.

After we got out of the car, Evanna looked at me, her voice small and hurt. Mrs. Quinn she doesnt like me, does she?

Youre overthinking it, I said flatly.

Evanna mumbled a quiet oh and turned back to the car.

From inside, we heard Wyatts voice. My head is starting to hurt again.

Ill massage it for you, Evanna said, her tone full of concern.

A flicker of suspicion sparked within me. I didnt remember him having this problem in my past life.

Before we set off again, Wyatt approached me alone.

Before I could react, he pulled me into a dark alleyway nearby.

Did you put my mother up to saying those things? he demanded, his deep-set eyes narrowed, his expression cold.

I was stunned. I didnt

It doesnt matter if it was you or not, he cut me off. From now on, please dont let my mother do anything that upsets Evanna again. As for you and me, whatever was between us in the past Evanna is the only one in my heart now. Please just forget it all.

Wyatt gave a slight, formal nod, his posture distant.

I opened my mouth, then closed it. Finally, I gave him a serious answer. Alright.

I turned and walked out of the alley first. Evanna, waiting by the car, saw Wyatt emerge right behind me. Her eyes instantly turned red.

Wyatt lost all of his previous composure. He rushed past me to her side.

I got back in the car.

For the rest of the journey, I could faintly hear Wyatts low voice, coaxing and reassuring Evanna.

Theres nothing between us.

If youre worried about me recovering my memories, Id rather have amnesia forever.

The weather was clear when we arrived at the Peak.

At the entrance to the Quinn estate, I helped Mrs. Quinn out of the car.

Just as I was about to follow her inside, Evannas voice rang out from behind me. Speaking of which, I still dont know who this young lady is. Is she allowed to come and go from the Quinn household as she pleases?

I paused and turned around.

Evanna was clutching Wyatts sleeve, looking at me with undisguised resentment.

Wyatts gaze was calm as he looked at his mother. Mom, Evanna is right. Im a married man now. Its not appropriate to have other women coming and going freely.

Mrs. Quinns anger flared. She shot a sharp glance at Evanna. And since when do I need your approval to decide who can and cannot enter my home?

Evannas face flushed. Thats not what I meant Its just that Miss Caldwell clearly has feelings for Wyatt, and Wyatt has promised to love only one person for the rest of his life. I just dont want to see her waste her time.

It was my idea, Wyatt added. I have a family now. I shouldnt be involved with people from a complicated past.

Twenty years of friendship, erased by amnesia, reduced to a complicated past.

The irony was laughable.

Wyatt truly hadnt changed. He was fiercely devoted in his affections. As a boy, he had made me a solemn vow.

After were married, I will be completely devoted to you. I will never get involved with any other woman. I will never fail you.

But now, I was the other woman he was so desperate to distance himself from.

Mrs. Quinns expression was grim. She was about to speak again, but I gently squeezed her hand.

I turned and said calmly, Mr. Quinn, youre worrying for nothing. Our families have been friends for generations, and Mrs. Quinn has always treated me like a daughter. I only think of you as an older brother, and I respect Mrs. Quinn as I would my own mother.

Mrs. Quinns eyes reddened. She grasped my hand. Alright. Today, I am officially making Autumn my goddaughter. From now on, anyone who bullies her will be making an enemy of the Quinn family.

Evannas eyes flashed with resentment, but Wyatt, upon hearing his mothers words, seemed momentarily lost in thought.

I paid it no mind. I accompanied Mrs. Quinn into the house and then made an excuse to return to my own familys home.

One problem was solved, but another remained.

Seven years from now, my father would be framed for stock market manipulation by a once-trusted subordinate, a man who was currently a senior executive at our company.

Ever since I woke up in this new life, I had been using my hacking skills to monitor him. Recently, I had finally detected suspicious activity.

After gathering all the evidence, I took an encrypted hard drive to my fathers study.

We talked late into the night. I laid out all the information I had on the traitor. My father, a veteran of the business world for decades, would not be caught off guard like he was in the last life.

As for my marriage, my father sighed, his eyes filled with sorrow. I never imagined that one international operation would lead to so much trouble. Since its come to this, theres something I should tell you.

Before you were born, your mother and her best friend arranged a marriage between you and her friends son. Later, when you grew up and fell in love with Wyatt, I politely declined their offer. We were in the wrong, really. The boys family is in San Francisco, a very good environment.

Why dont you take this opportunity to go away for a while, clear your head?

Having lived one life already, I had seen through the illusions of marriage. I shook my head. I dont want to leave Crestview, and I dont want a new relationship.

My father looked at me with concern. Are you staying in Crestview because you still cant let go? I know youre a sentimental person. If you just say the word, I wont let Wyatt get away with breaking the engagement.

I shook my head again. I was the one who called it off. Im over Wyatt.

My father sighed softly. Hes not the only good man in the world. I just want you to be able to move on.

I gave a faint smile and changed the subject. I heard you had some contact with a hypnotic investigation team from Southeast Asia years ago. Id like to invite a few professionals to Crestview to look into Evanna Ross.

My father was taken aback. You think theres more to Wyatts change in behavior? Then you

I looked up, my gaze steady. Whether there is or not, I dont care. This is just a precaution.

My father nodded.

For the next half month, I lived a quiet lifecoding, drinking coffee, and diving. It was a rare period of peace.

Then, I received an invitation to a yacht party from the daughter of the Lu family.

I had heard the rumors swirling during my seclusion: that I was heartbroken after being jilted, a recluse who couldnt face the world.

Now that I was rested, it was time to reappear. I gladly accepted the invitation.

The party was a swirl of champagne and chatter. The other socialites treated me as they always had, but now there was a hint of pity in their eyes. When they saw my calm demeanor, that pity quickly turned to curiosity.

You have no idea. That Evanna girl is acting like the lady of the manor now. Shes the one who doesnt know the rules, but she always acts like were the ones bullying her.

Exactly! Last time, she accidentally spilled wine on my dress, and I didnt even make a fuss. But she dragged Wyatt over to my house to apologize, making it seem like I was deliberately giving her a hard time.

So petty. I dont know how Wyatt puts up with her.

As they were talking, a figure dressed in the latest designer fashion walked in. The chatter immediately died down.

I looked up. Evanna Ross, wearing a diamond hair clip and a lavish gown, had shed the rustic air of the tenements. She looked refined, almost elegant.

I deliberately ignored her. Halfway through the party, I found an opportunity to leave, but she caught up with me on the deck.

I stopped. Is there something you need?

Evanna bit her lip. Miss Caldwell, youre still waiting for Wyatt, arent you?

I frowned. Where did you hear such a ridiculous rumor?

If you werent waiting for him, why havent you left Crestview? Why have you turned down all the marriage proposals youve received?

I was silent.

Not leaving was, in a way, an obsession. Wyatt had died for me. I wanted to see with my own eyes if he would truly be content after getting his hearts desire.

My silence, however, was taken as an admission. Evanna pressed on, her voice sharp.

And my struggles in high society youre the one secretly telling people to target me, arent you?

My marriage is my own business, and your situation has nothing to do with me, I said calmly. I admit, I didnt like you from the moment I met you. But I wouldnt stoop to targeting you. It was just a relationship. To me, its something I can take or leave.

From the moment I found Wyatt, I had decided that if he was in love with someone else, I would not interfere. But I had sensed something strange about Evanna. She was frail, yet she insisted that she alone had rescued Wyatt from a gunfight at the docks. She seemed vulnerable, yet she harbored an inexplicable hostility toward me, which was why I had been so insistent on restoring his memory in my past life.

I understood now that whether Evanna was a good match for him or not, it was Wyatts choice. I had no right to intervene.

But now, a flicker of a cunning smile crossed Evannas face. Miss Caldwell, so you finally admit you hate me.

I sensed something was wrong. I started to step back, but I saw Evanna lean backward, her body going limp as she plunged into the cold sea.