How could they not see through Joanna''s clumsy deceptions? They were all a bunch of fools.


    Joanna''s innocent, harmless appearance made it easy for people to let their guard down. She used that face to deceive and manipte, and anyone who couldn''t see the full picture was easily fooled.


    Thankfully, Susan now saw everything clearly.


    Coughing up another mouthful of water, Jared''s eyes fluttered open. He was stunned to see Natalie. “Na... Natalie? What... what are you doing here?"


    Susan was furious. "What rotten luck. We go fishing and end up catching you. If it weren''t for Natalie, you''d be shark food by now."


    "And after everything you all did to her, she still had to be the one to drag you out of the ocean."


    Jared stared, taking in Natalie''s wetsuit.


    She... she had saved him?


    "Natalie..."


    Natalie frowned. "Shut up."


    "What... what happened to me? Susan, weren''t we on a trip together? Why am I in the ocean?"


    Susan was baffled.


    She looked at Natalie. "Natalie, did he get beaten stupid or something?"


    Natalie shook her head. "Who knows? Come on, let''s get him to the ind''s clinic."


    After gathering their things, Susan and Natalie worked together to lift Jared onto the speedboat,ying him down t.


    Natalie gave Jared a pill. “I gave you something for the bleeding. It''s an hour back to the main ind. You''ll have to hang in there. Whether you make it or not is up to you now."


    Jared managed a weak smile. "Natalie, aren''t we on a trip with Mom? Why is it just the two of you? Where''s Mom? Where''s Jerome?”


    Natalie looked at him, confused.


    "What Mom? Jared, when did I ever go on a trip with you guys? Stop faking amnesia: When we get to the ind, you can call your family toe get you."


    But looking at his vacant expression, she wondered what was going on. Had the double shock to his body and mind been so intense that he''d actually lost his memory?


    Susan stared at Jared in disbelief. Something was very wrong with this jerk. Very wrong.


    "Natalie, do you remember? The year you were brought back to the family, Mrs. Scott took us all on a trip. It was to a different ind, but his memory seems to be stuck back then."


    For Susan, the memories of her time with Jared were still fresh; she had to admit


    that the bastard once held a ce in her heart.


    For Natalie, it felt like a lifetime ago-two lifetimes, in fact. She really couldn''t remember.


    There were too few good memories, only scenes of them tormenting her.


    As Natalie steered the speedboat, she studied Jared again. His nk confusion didn''t seem like an act.


    "Natalie, you just came home. How about I take you out for some good food?" dared asked with a smile, though his head was spinning. Did he fall into the ocean His leg burt too


    He looked over at Susan. She seemed thinner, prettier.


    Dressed so lightly... who was she trying to seduce?


    “Also, Susan, you make the best omelets. Remember to bring me one tomorrow morning."


    Susan was livid. She red at him. "You want me to bring you an omelet? I hope you choke on it! Dream on!"


    "And don''t think losing your memory erases all the crap you put me through. We''ve been over for a year."


    Jared froze. A strange sadness washed over him, making him tremble.


    Why was Susan looking at him like a stranger?