He was her mentor-the man who''d shaped her future, whose role was to look after her and help chart the course of her life. It was supposed to be his responsibility. She wasn''t meant to forget him. Once, she''d loved him with all her heart. Now, the way she stared through him like a stranger was enough to drive him mad.


    He''d already made up his mind: as soon as she woke up, he would finally tell her the truth. Tell her he was ready to try, to be with her. If she wanted, they could even get married. He was willing. He''d imagined every possible scenario...except this. He never anticipated that she''d open her eyes and erase himpletely from her world.


    Worse still, he could see it in her face-she found his presence ufortable, maybe even repellent.


    This wasn''t how it was supposed to be. Not at all.


    Uriah''s expression twisted in pain.


    "Uriah, wasn''t it you who wanted to end things with Mavis?" Calliope interjected, her voice level but cold. "Now that she doesn''t remember you, isn''t that for the best? She can live her own life, and you''ll be free to focus on yours. No one left to tie you down."


    She crossed her arms and added, "Mavis needs plenty of rest right now. Since she doesn''t want to see you, please—just let her be."


    "Your business needs you, Uriah. Why not go back and take care of yourpany? We''ll make sure Mavis is looked after. You really don''t need to worry." Her tone left no room for argument. It was clear she wanted him gone.


    Uriah''s gaze lingered on Mavis across the room, his heartbreak etched deep into every line of his face.


    No, he thought, I never wanted to cut her out of my life. From the moment he''d found her-back when she was just a frightened little girl-he''d known their lives would be forever intertwined. There was no world for him that didn''t include her.


    And now, for the first time, a fear more raw than anything he''d ever felt before set in —a sense of loss so total, it was as though the very ground had been ripped from beneath him.


    He couldn''t ept this. He couldn''t lose Mavis.


    "I-" he started, his words breaking, but Calliope cut him off, sharp as a knife. "Uriah, it''s toote to say anything now. Even if you have something to get off your chest saying it to me doesn''t help. Wait When Mavis wants to hear you out, then you can talk."


    She softened, just a little. "But for now, give her space to heal. Her body needs time. Can you do that?"


    Her eyes met Uriah''s, cool and resolute.


    He started to protest again but faltered, the words dying on his lips. Atst, he let out a long sigh. "You''re right. Let''s wait until she''s back on


    her feet... She won''t forget me е forever, will she? She''ll remember me won''t she?" He turned toward Calliope desperation fuckering in his eyes.


    Calliope shook her head. "I can''t tell you that. I''m not Mavis, and I''m no expert on things like this.


    Sometimes these memoriese back quickly, sometimes...never at all. In any case, whether she remembers or not, I think the two of you have settled your debts to each other. No need to dwell on it."


    "Mr. Stewart-this way, please." The hint of formality made her dismissal final.


    Uriah left atst, his shoulders slumped, every step heavy with defeat.


    Calliope lingered in the doorway and called out, “Mr. Stewart, I really don''t think Mavis wants any visitors from you today. There''s no need for you to wait around. Portia and I will handle everything-go back to work, please."


    But Uriah seemed not to hear her. Lost in his own grief, he wandered out into the corridor, looking as if his very soul had been hollowed out.


    Calliope quietly closed the door behind him and exhaled, relief in her breath.


    She nced toward Mavis, who visibly rxed as soon as the doortched, all the tension draining from her body. In that brief moment, Calliope understood everything.


    Oblivious, Portia leaned in closer and asked in earnest, "Mavis, you really don''t remember Uriah at all?"