ves. "Don't be silly, Clare. We're intertwined. Forever, remember

his touch. The scent of Holly's perfume was s

ed slightly. "S

orcing a strained smile. "I need so

controlling tone creeping in. "I need your input on the new menu st

g me. Trying to reassert his dom

oice firm. "I've got some other busin

rrowing. "What could be more impor

"And I assure you, I'm perfectly

rove, aimless at first. The city lights blurred into streaks of color. This city, th

n a forgotten part of town. The sign above the door

dimly lit, smelling of stale coffee and old paper. A

entity," I state

ather direct request. Our services

urse. My emergency fund. The one I'd squirreled away for years, a small rebellion a

, her eyes widening sl

a social security card, and a birth certificate. Janet

No expectations. No Bra

ed at me, his eyes filled with a mix of pit

voice devoid of emotion

ng him. "Tell me everyth

, now stabbing me in the back with a smile. I spoke of Brayden, my partner, the man who had been my everything, now reduced to a greedy, manipulative monster. I recited every pain

hifting from empathy to shock. "T

e conversation back to the proced

ails of specific traumatic memories. The 'special element' you mentioned, however, is far more potent. It's designed to sever the entire neural network associated with your current identity and its emotional attachments. It's like resetting your core identity. Your personality will

ense. Permanent emotional blunting, cognitive impairment, or

said without hesita

.. formidable, Clare. You understand the logistics? The serum nee

sense of something. Fate, p

restaurant's "rebranding"-my restaurant-on the evening of the third day

be lon

ements, my exit strategy.

g, his arms crossed, a pout on his face. "Where were you, Clare? I was worried."

aid, my voice muffled against h

ed duffel bag near the door. My heart pounded.

pierced through me. Ha

ing some of my old clothes. You know, to make space for some new

e, my love. You nearly gave me a heart attack." He pressed a kiss to my ha

voice barely a whisper. "