[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603134E5B19-32":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},32,14,"Chapter 14: Theories and Tangled Memories","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Got questions? Just hit me up. I told you, I can spill the tea on anything you need.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">On their drive, Archer Reynolds clocked Celine Evans hesitating, like she had something to say but was holding back. He offered an opening.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine took a beat, then confessed, \"I don't know them.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Archer gave a knowing nod.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I figured. You're not lying.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine let out a relieved exhale and laid out her confusion.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But the way they acted, it was like they knew me, and not just casually. Like, that guy yesterday straight-up called me his wife.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Hmm...\" A weird twinge hit Archer’s chest. He shifted, feeling a bit off, but seeing her face, he just smiled. Why get bent out of shape? She didn't remember.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What's your take? You're a smart cookie, I bet you've already got theories, right?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I've been spinning them in my head. I think there are two main possibilities,\" Celine offered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Lay 'em on me.\" The traffic light turned red. Archer hit the brakes, took a swig of coffee, and looked at her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her small, delicate face was a picture of sharp intelligence.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay, first off, maybe it's me. Like, something happened, or I did something, and now I've got amnesia and forgot them. Or,\" she continued, \"it's them. Maybe there's someone who looks like me, or a sister I don't even know about, who was tangled up with them and then peaced out. They might be mistaking me for her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After mulling it over, Celine shared her thoughts.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Archer nodded, getting the car moving again as he asked, \"So, which one feels more likely to you?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Celine answered without missing a beat, \"The second one. I mean, in my twenty-plus years of memories, even if I've forgotten little stuff, there aren't any huge blanks.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"But, Archer, I’ve got this gnawing feeling about it. I feel this weird pull away from both of them. So I think...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Archer caught the wobble in her voice and pulled over. He gave her head a gentle pat. Gazing at the river of headlights, he reassured her, \"You're spooked, aren't you? But don't be. Even if it's the first option, if you don't wanna remember, nobody can force you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His solid tone soothed her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He was right. As long as she held her ground, nobody could make her do anything, no matter what.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Even if there were nasty memories lurking, she’d forgotten them.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The current her was a fresh start.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">What’s done is done!\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Dante, you went behind my back to see Celine?!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The second Celine and Archer were out of sight, Isabella Lopez, who’d been holding it in all evening, exploded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A flash of guilt crossed Dante’s face, but he quickly parried, \"I didn't seek her out. I bumped into them both by chance at a gala last night.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Isabella wasn’t buying it. Unimpressed, she turned her head away, silent.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His attempt at comfort was pretty obvious as he said, \"C'mon, c'mon, why would I go looking for her? If you don't believe me, ask my assistant. It was totally random.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Isabella finally relented, leaning into his chest, a pout on her lips, tinged with hurt. \"I believe you. But she used to be your wife, so I can't help feeling a little... territorial.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Her words hit Dante with a wave of guilt, and he held her tighter.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"She means zero to me. Don't even sweat it.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Okay, let's head home then.\" Isabella's eyes crinkled, pleased with his answer.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The Lopez Estate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment Dante walked through the door, he was summoned to the study by Isabella's grandfather.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The old man sat behind his desk, his face a thundercloud. The main light in the study was off, leaving only the dim glow of a desk lamp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seeing Dante enter, the old man’s gaze was like a laser, but he said nothing, cranking up the tension.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante frowned and walked to the desk, clueless as to what he’d done to earn this silent treatment.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Already seething from the night’s events, he plopped onto the sofa, his tone sharp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"What have I done now?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Isabella's grandfather pulled out a thick stack of photos and slapped them onto the desk. His grim expression morphed into pure fury. He pointed a shaking finger at Dante and roared, \"How dare you ask! Look at the mess you've made! These were sent straight to me!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante picked up the photos, still playing it cool. \"Grandpa, you gotta take it easy at your age. All this anger isn't good for your health.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You ungrateful brat! If you had an ounce of respect, I wouldn't have to lose my temper!\" the old man bellowed, red-faced.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Dante flipped through the photos. The first few were of him and Isabella. He gave them a bored glance, tossing each one aside.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But as he kept going, his face darkened with each subsequent picture.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272932275]