Jack was insatiable in bed, so I did the only thing I could: I broke his heart and ended it.

The next second, a rear-end collision wiped my memory clean.

Gone was the memory of Jack’s relentless stamina, of being pushed to my limits night after night.

Gone was the vow I’d made to myself: I’d rather date a boring, vanilla guy than ever get back with Jack.

Later, when friends and family came to visit me in the hospital, Jack was among them.

The moment he walked into the room, I gripped my best friend's arm, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"Oh, crap," I whispered. "That one's definitely my type."

1

When I woke up in the hospital, my mind was a perfect, pristine blank.

It took ten minutes of questioning the woman at my bedside—who claimed to be my best friend—to learn that a car accident had landed me here.

She pointed at her own chest, her expression a mask of disbelief. "It's me, Anna! Your best friend! You seriously don't remember me?"

I shook my head. I didn't even remember my own name, let alone hers.

The doctor assured us my health was fine and suggested Anna fill me in on my past. He said the memories might just click back into place one day.

Anna, ever the woman of action, immediately pulled a chair up to my bed.

"Okay, so: You're Lillian Hayes. Your parents are scientists—super busy, as you've probably guessed, since they haven't rushed here yet.

"We've been best friends since high school. Oh, and you have a boyfriend. His name is Jack Vance. I've already called him."

Jack Vance.

I rolled the name over in my mind, but it sparked nothing. Not a single flicker of recognition.

By the time night fell, this Jack Anna had told me about still hadn't shown up.

"What the hell is Jack's deal?" Anna grumbled, pacing the small room. "You were in a car crash! I mean, yeah, it wasn't life-threatening, but he's your boyfriend. He should at least come see you, right?"

She threw her hands up. "He always acted so completely obsessed with you before!"

Her words meant nothing to me. With no memories, I had no basis for judgment. My phone had been totaled in the wreck, so I couldn't even try to contact him myself.

For the next few days, Anna was my rock, my sole caretaker at the hospital.

Through her stories, I started piecing together a mosaic of my past self. I learned that Jack and I had been together for three years, and our relationship had always been passionate.

"You have no idea, Lily," she said, her eyes wide. "The guy was like a human octopus, completely touch-starved. He was always all over you. All our friends were sick of your PDA.

"I remember this one time you hid out at my place for days just to get a break, and when Jack finally found you, his eyes were bloodshot..."

Seeing my spirits dip, Anna quickly tried to reassure me.

"Hey, don't worry. I'm sure he's just tied up with something important. I'll give him another call and see what's up."

But I'd overheard her call to him yesterday. I had heard Jack's voice, cold and sharp through the speaker.

"Lillian and I are over. Her life has nothing to do with me anymore. Please tell her to stop trying to contact me."

Anna was probably just trying to protect my feelings by not telling me.

2

I had no idea why Jack and I would have broken up. Even my closest friend didn't seem to know.

But hey, there are plenty of fish in the sea.

I decided not to dwell on it.

The day before I was discharged, a group of friends and family arranged to visit. As a crowd of unfamiliar faces drifted toward my bed, all I could do was offer a weak smile and a nod. I didn't recognize a single one of them.

Then, a man appeared at the back of the group, a man whose good looks weren't just about vibe or style. He was the kind of handsome that would stop you in your tracks, even in a plain white shirt. It was a raw, undeniable beauty that pulled your gaze and held it captive.

I dug my nails into Anna's arm. "I'm screwed," I breathed. "I really, really like that one."

Anna shot me a look that was a complicated mix of pity and exasperation. "Well, that proves it. You've definitely lost your memory."

I blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"

She sighed, a heavy, world-weary sound. "That's Jack."

My world crumbled.

Sure, there were plenty of men out there, but my heart had just zeroed in on him and him alone.

Jack was here, but he didn't approach me, didn't say a single word. He hung back, a silent, brooding statue. My frustration simmered. When he stepped out to take a call, I slipped out of bed and followed him.

From down the hallway, I could faintly hear him talking about something taking too long, mentioning medication as a solution...

I waited until he hung up, then rushed over, forcing a bright smile.

"Hi! Anna told me you're my boyfriend?"

Jack's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes cold. "Wrong," he corrected flatly. "Ex-boyfriend."

"Haha." The laugh was dry and brittle in my throat. "No way. If you were my ex, why would you even be here at the hospital?"

At that, a flicker of pure derision crossed his face.

"What kind of game are you playing now, Lily?"

"Huh?" What was he talking about?

"You must have heard," I said, my voice softer. "I don't have any of my old memories." I took a small step closer. "But I feel like... if I had a boyfriend who looked like you, I probably wouldn't break up with him unless it was for a really good reason."

I mumbled the last part, unsure if he even heard me. Gaining a bit of courage, I reached for his hand. "So... can we get back together?"

The next second, he jerked his hand away as if my touch had burned him.

He let out a short, harsh laugh. "Lillian, what kind of man do you take me for?"

He turned to leave.

I scrambled to block his path. "Then at least tell me why we broke up!"

My question seemed to ignite something in him. He looked even angrier, his jaw clenching so tight I could see the muscles flex. For a long moment, he just glared, a storm brewing in his eyes, but not a single word escaped his lips.

3

A terrible thought began to form in my mind.

Jack had refused to see me after the accident. He only showed up, putting on this show of concern, after he heard I had amnesia.

My voice was tight with suspicion. "It was because I found out you were cheating, wasn't it? That's why I broke up with you."

Jack froze for a second, then laughed. It wasn't a sound of amusement; it was the sound of something breaking.

He ground out the words through clenched teeth. "I wish it were that simple."

"What?"

Could it be... that I was the one who cheated?

Looking at the raw, barely-contained fury on his face, the flicker of hatred in his eyes, a wave of guilt washed over me.

"Uh... sorry. My mistake. Never mind."

I scurried back to my room.

The next day, Anna helped me check out of the hospital. In the car, she finally spoke, her voice hesitant.

"So, uh... Jack called me last night. He said you should come by and pick up your things when you have time."

So he was really eager to cut all ties.

It seemed more and more likely that I was the one at fault. I had to ask. "Anna, was I getting close to any other guys recently? Besides Jack?"

Anna thought for a moment, then her face lit up with recognition. "Well, there was your senior from college, Leo."

I didn't dare ask any more questions.

4

That evening, when I went to Jack's apartment to pack my things, he was sitting on the sofa, a dark cloud hanging over him.

But even with that grim expression, his handsome face was still enough to make my head spin.

Does anyone understand this specific kind of despair? Finally finding your perfect type, only to wake up and discover he's already your ex-boyfriend?

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his neck and bursting into tears.

"I'm so sorry! I was wrong!" I sobbed into his shoulder. "Jack, please forgive me, okay? I'll never do it again!

"I swear, no other man out there is half as good as you. Please, let's not be broken up, okay?"

I lifted my tear-streaked face to look at him.

His expression was a mask of strained control. He stared into my eyes for a long, searching moment, as if trying to decipher if my words were real or just another performance.

I sniffled pathetically, tightening my arms around him. "Jack, just give me one more chance, please? I promise, I'll only love you from now on."

But before he could answer, the front door, which had been left ajar, swung open.

A beautiful woman in a white dress stood in the doorway.

"Jack," she said, her voice soft.

My eyes shot to Jack, and I caught the flash of panic in his gaze.

My heart plummeted into an icy abyss.

It looked like Jack had already moved on.

So what did that make me? A desperate, pathetic fool.

Shame washed over me in a hot wave, and I scrambled off his lap. "I'm sorry, I didn't know..." My voice was a choked whisper. "I'm so sorry to bother you. I won't come back again."

With that, I covered my face and fled.

It wasn't until I was downstairs that I remembered what I'd come for.

My stuff was still up there.

I glanced up at his window. Two silhouettes stood close together. As I watched, their shadows drew closer, finally melting into one.

The sight was a dagger to my eyes. I wrenched my gaze away.

Forget the stuff. Did I really want to humiliate myself any further?

I climbed back into Anna's car, sobbing.

Seeing me empty-handed and my eyes swollen shut, Anna assumed Jack had been cruel to me. She started rolling up her sleeves, ready for battle.

"That's it, he's gone too far! You're broken up, does he really need to be such a jerk about it?"

I grabbed her arm. "No, it's not like that. He didn't do anything to me."

"Then what is it? Just tell me!" Anna's patience was wearing thin.

I wiped my face, resigned to the truth. "It's me," I said quietly. "I think I'm still in love with him. Seeing him with his new girlfriend... it just really hurt."

Anna's jaw dropped. "What? You just broke up and he already has a replacement? Are you sure he wasn't cheating on you the whole time?"

"That's what I thought at first," I mumbled. "But with my memory gone, I have no way of knowing the real reason we broke up."

All I knew was that my mind, and my heart, were a complete mess.

5

Seeing me mope around for days, Anna dragged me to a bar to lift my spirits.

I ordered a round of shots, ready to drink myself into oblivion, but Anna snatched the glass from my hand. "Not so fast," she said with a mysterious grin. "Someone else is coming."

The person she was talking about was a mild-mannered guy with glasses. I stared at him for a long moment, but his face drew a complete blank.

Anna slapped her forehead. "God, my brain! I keep forgetting about the amnesia." She gestured to him. "Lily, this is Leo, your senior from college. He helped us out a ton back in the day."

I quickly stood up to greet him. "Leo, I'm so sorry, I really don't remember."

Leo took my hand, his smile warm and reassuring. "I heard about your accident. Don't worry about it, of course I understand."

But not long after we sat down, I started to notice Leo's gaze lingering on me a little too often. A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.

Oh God, did I already have something going on with him?

But even with amnesia, I was still me. And looking at Leo, I felt... nothing. Absolutely nothing. Surely the old me wouldn't have been that clueless, right?

As my mind spiraled, Anna nudged me with her elbow.

"Well, look who it is."

I followed her gaze. Jack and a group of his friends were walking into the bar. The woman in the white dress was with him.

My mood instantly soured.

Anna, ever the loyal best friend, read my mind. Her expression shifted to one of disgust.

"Wow, he's not even trying to hide it anymore. What a pig." She leaned in, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Hey, bestie. You feel like getting a little revenge? Rattle his cage a bit?"

I slumped onto the table, my head in my arms. "How? He obviously doesn't care about me anymore."

"You don't know that until you try." A wicked smile spread across her face.

She grabbed my hand and Leo's and pulled us toward the dance floor. Leo seemed to understand her plan perfectly, staying close to me, his body a warm shield against the crowd.

I tried to escape a few times, but Anna held me firm.

"You wanted to know if he still has feelings for you, right?" she whispered in my ear. "If he does, seeing you this close to another guy will drive him insane."

So I stayed.

I forced myself to dance, feeling awkward and exposed, but Jack's group never once glanced in our direction. A wave of defeat washed over me.

In that moment, I knew. He really, truly didn't care anymore.

The spark of hope I'd been clinging to died out. I excused myself to go to the restroom and left the dance floor.

6

I splashed cold water on my face, the shock of it clearing my head slightly. As I stared at my reflection, a bitter laugh escaped my lips. I was such an idiot.

I decided then and there: I was done with Jack Vance.

But as I walked out of the restroom, a hand shot out, grabbing my arm and shoving me into a dark corner by the wall.

I opened my mouth to scream, but a familiar voice cut through the air from above me.

"Stay away from Leo."

I looked up. Jack. His face was a thundercloud, his eyes blazing with a barely suppressed rage.

What was his problem? One minute he's ignoring me, the next he's cornering me and giving me warnings? Was he afraid his new girlfriend would see and get jealous?

A surge of anger propelled my words. "Why should I? Leo is a perfect gentleman. He's kind and considerate. I like him. What business is it of yours?"

Jack’s gaze lingered on my face for a moment before he let me go. He pulled out his phone, swiped a few times, and then held the screen up for me to see.

"Leo. Kicked out of college for his 'chaotic private life.' Juggled multiple girls at once. The one who exposed him was pregnant with his child, and he bullied her into dropping out."

He lowered the phone. "This stuff isn't just online. You could ask any of our old classmates, and they'd tell you the same thing. You wouldn't be singing his praises if you knew the truth."

How could this be? The articles on his screen confirmed everything he said. I bit my lip, shame and humiliation burning my cheeks. But I didn't want to lose. I wanted to win.

"And what about you?" I shot back. "Ditching your new girlfriend to come lecture your ex? How does that make you any different from him?"

Jack looked at me as if I were a complete stranger. He took a half-step back.

"Lillian," he said, his voice laced with a new kind of coldness. "I shouldn't have bothered."

My eyes stung with unshed tears, but my voice remained hard. "Who asked you to? Keep your pity for yourself. Since you've chosen someone else, you should be treating her right, not breaking her heart."

His face was a mask of disappointment. "So, you're still going to be with him?"

"Whether I am or not," I declared, "has nothing to do with you."

7

"Jack."

As the tension between us crackled in the air, the woman from that night appeared. She walked right up to Jack and gently offered him a tissue.

"You've got some sweat on your temple. Here, wipe it off."

Jack snapped back to reality and took the tissue. Standing together, they looked so perfectly matched. A handsome couple. Looking closer, they even resembled each other a bit.

I lowered my head. No wonder he chose her. Her emotional intelligence alone was something I could probably never hope to achieve.

Jack didn't look at me again. He put his arm around the woman and started to lead her away.

But then, she stopped and turned to walk toward me.

In the few seconds it took for her to cross the distance, my mind raced through half a dozen dramatic confrontation scenarios. I’d heard about people like this—they seem nice on the surface, but they're masters of passive aggression.

Fearing I was no match for her, I clenched my fists, ready to bolt.

But her first words were, "I think we've met a few times before, but you don't seem to recognize me?"

So they did know each other before. He worked fast. Jack was a real piece of work.

"Sorry," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "I have face blindness. I don't really remember people I haven't seen much."

The woman simply nodded. "My name is Isabelle," she said politely. "I hope you'll remember me next time we meet."

That was it. I broke.

How could she be so... so damn graceful? I was supposed to be her rival!

I had lost. Utterly and completely.

I ran. I fled from the bar like a coward.

"Waaahhh..." I clung to Anna, crying so hard I could barely breathe.

She hovered over me, completely helpless. "Lily, you have to tell me what's wrong! How am I supposed to comfort you if I don't know what happened?"

I couldn't speak. I just wailed. There was no way I was telling her about my total and complete humiliation.

Anna, out of ideas, suggested that Leo take me home and try to console me.

At the mention of his name, something clicked. I immediately refused. I wiped my tears and forced a cheerful tone. "Suddenly, I feel much better!"

Leo, to his credit, didn't press the issue. He just smiled his gentle smile. "Alright then. You two be careful. Call me when you get home."