When Rachel Foster moved into the apartment, she did not pay much attention to its surroundings. However, when she looked around, she noticed that the seemingly simple decor was quite sophisticated.
For instance, an untitled painting by the renowned postmodern artist Fischel Huston was on the wall, and a nude sculpture by Lüde was on the low cabinet.
She had noticed these pieces before but never connected them with the practical-minded Kingsly Scott. She assumed the apartment's owner had a keen artistic sense. Looking again, she realized the style resembled Kingsly's mountaintop villa.
Yes, the villa also boasted an artistic flair strikingly similar to this place...
To confirm her suspicions and verify Maggie's claims, she turned on her computer and searched online.
Surprisingly, she found records of Kingsly purchasing Fischel's and Lüde's works at art auctions two and three years ago.
She sat stunned in front of the computer for a while, finally accepting that Kingsly had indeed let her move into his residence, and she didn't understand why.
---
Previously, when trying to find Kingsly for Jasper's sake, she learned of his habit of playing golf at the Yilin Club. So, early one morning, she dressed and went there.
At eight, his Bentley pulled into the club. Seeing her, he raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Morning."
"Morning."
Noticing her thoughtful expression, he couldn't help but smile, "Did you come here just to see me?"
She played along, "What do you think?"
He didn't answer, his sharp eyes assessing her unsmiling face.
She continued calmly, "Why didn't you bring your new actress friend to play golf?"
He glanced at her, "You seem concerned about me."
She said no more.
Suddenly, he pulled her close, his arm around her slender waist, "Your golfing skills are good. Play a round with me."
As she leaned against him, she caught the faint scent of a woman's perfume. Realizing he might have just left the actress's house, she felt a wave of nausea and instinctively pulled away, "I'm not in the mood."
He spread his empty hands, smiling with slight displeasure, "Why the bad mood so early?"
She didn't know why she reacted so strongly. He was known for being with women; she was just one of them.
Trying to calm herself, she said, "Kingsly, I came to tell you something... Yesterday, your wife's friend Maggie approached me, asking me to stay away from you and not be a homewrecker. It's unfair, and I'm upset. You and I know I'm with you out of necessity, with no other motives. I hope you handle your affairs and keep me out of it. I want a peaceful life."
He narrowed his eyes, studying her expressionless face with intrigue.
She turned to leave.
He grabbed her hand and said, " Are you Interested in hearing a story? It's about me and my wife."
She paused but didn't turn back, "Sorry, I'm not interested."
"Then have breakfast with me."
Unable to resist, she said, "Your actress friend can join you."
He studied her closely and chuckled, "I see where your usual calm demeanor went; you're jealous."
She found it laughable, facing him, "What makes you think I'm jealous?"
He shrugged, "Why else mention my new girlfriend twice? What does it mean?"
"Just idle talk."
He laughed again, his expression unreadable.
Her face paled slightly, and she prepared to leave again. But he wrapped an arm around her, resting his chin on her forehead, "Since you're here, have breakfast with me."
She couldn't refuse as he led her to the club's restaurant.
---
They ate silently, and on the drive back, she broke it, "I don't want your acquaintances bothering me. You can handle that, right?"
He smiled, saying nothing, and pulled her into a kiss.
She felt shy with the driver present. Though they were intimate, this public display was a first.
The car stopped, and she realized they were at the beach.
Kingsly took her hand and led her out. "Why are we here? Aren't you going to work?"
Releasing her hand, he walked to the railing, gazing at the calm sea, his eyes deep and thoughtful, "When I have something on my mind, I come here. The sea calms me."
She joined him, staring at the ocean, "The sea does that." She looked at him, puzzled.
He seemed to read her thoughts, "You're wondering why someone like me, who seems to have everything, has concerns?"
She stayed silent, indicating agreement.
He sighed, "For years, I've had one thing on my mind."
Curious, she watched him.
His gaze on the sea grew distant, "Years ago, a girl's image often appeared in my mind... In dreams or fantasies, she'd always be a blurry figure. Whenever I tried to reach her, she'd vanish."
Rachel's body tensed, eyes wide.
He turned to her, saw her shocked face, and sighed, "Six years ago, I had a car accident, losing part of my memory. I think the girl is what I've forgotten."
Rachel stared, her face pale, struggling to breathe.
His dark eyes narrowed, lost in memory, "I remember everything else; why forget her?"
Rachel was speechless, feeling something block her chest.
"I remember waking after brain surgery, my head aching, yet her image replayed in my mind... Each time it did, my heart ached, unbearable pain."
His expression grew pained, unlike his usual composed self, showing he still felt that agony.
She couldn't find words and was silent for a long time.
He continued, "I learned later that the accident took my parents' lives. I was driving, the only survivor."
She covered her mouth, eyes tearing, "How could this happen..."
"Police asked what I was thinking while driving and why I crossed into oncoming traffic on a straight road. I was surprised to discover why I veered or what was on my mind. Much later, while sorting my things, I found a familiar pen. I knew it was from her... I remembered what I was thinking during the crash; it was her... My mind was full of her, but my heart felt blocked, needing release, losing control of the wheel."
By now, Rachel was sobbing, shaking her head in disbelief.
He'd been in the U.S., she in the city, unaware of his accident.
Years later, she learned of the crash online when he gained fame.
The reports downplayed it, so she thought it was minor until she researched him for Jasper's sake. Then she learned of the severe accident, his brain surgery, yet never linked his parents' deaths to it...
The truth was startling.
He'd been driving his parents, distracted, causing the crash. The girl was the reason.
Rachel stood frozen, eyes red, in pain.
He quickly embraced her, "What's wrong?"
Her vacant gaze met his, a tear slipping down her cheek.
He held her tightly, "Did my story scare you?"
She shook her head, unable to speak, tears flowing freely.
She'd indirectly caused his parents' deaths, inflicted such harm on his life... and never knew.
He pressed her to him, "Silly, it's just a story, nothing to fear."
She rested in his arms, unmoving, silent sobs and tears.
He held her long, kissing her forehead as she calmed, "Let's go back."
She shook her head, controlling her voice, "I saw a pen in the hotel..."
He nodded, "I've kept it, hoping to remember, but no matter how hard I try, or with hypnosis, I recall only her shadow, never her face."
"You can't remember because subconsciously, you don't want to remember her. She hurt you deeply."
Her heart ached as she asked, "Have you tried finding her?"
He smiled, "I wanted to know our connection... but how? Apart from the pen, there's nothing of her. My parents are gone, and there are no answers."
"Did you marry your wife because you moved on?"
He smiled, "Luna was a nurse. She was the first I saw after waking from surgery... I was devastated by my parents' deaths. She comforted me and helped me recover. We married in the U.S., and my career grew."
No wonder he returned married; Luna supported him through his lowest point.
He said, "Remember I said you seemed familiar?"
She was shocked.
He smiled inside.
"I told you this story to explain... Since I saw you, you reminded me of her. But I checked your background; you grew up in Canada and moved here six years ago with Jasper. You couldn't have known me then."
She gasped. He'd investigated her. But she'd never lived in Canada; who fabricated this background?
While she was stunned, he continued, "I don't know why I'm so drawn to you... No woman made me feel this way." He caressed her face, his touch gentle, gaze tender, "You're like a spell. Even after having you, I want you and am intrigued by you... I've never felt this for any woman, so I fear falling for you. I cherish my wife, love her, can't get deeper into this affair, so I pretend it's a game."
So, his time with the actress was to avoid her.
She felt his hand tremble, tender on her face, unaware he fought an urge to strangle her.
He turned and said, "Let's go back." Rachel, would you suffer? If you knew my daily torment was more incredible than yours, would you still cry these worthless tears before me? Rachel, from now on, I want you to never be at peace.
She remained motionless.
The salty sea breeze stung her tear-streaked face like a blade, finally moving towards the car like a ghost.