The terrifying stampede lasted for what felt like an eternity. I don't know how long it took before the crowd finally dispersed. The street was littered with bodies in every direction.
Crying echoed all around us.
Magnus was the first to kneel against the wall, collapsing into my arms.
I held him tight as the flashing lights of the ambulance flickered in front of me, my voice frantic. "Someone! Please, help—" Magnus's breath was faint, his fingers cold.
There was a deep gash on the back of his hand, likely caused by some kind of metal ornament. The palm of his hand was torn from the rough friction against the wall.
I was too afraid to touch his hand. On the way to the hospital, I fixed my eyes on the monitor, my body cold with fear. The doctor said Magnus might die.
He was wheeled into the emergency room. The doctor stopped me. "Who are you to him?"
"His partner…"
"This is the critical condition notice. Please sign here."
I signed my name on the paper, watching as the emergency room doors closed. A strange, absurd feeling overwhelmed me. I laughed.
What the hell…
Magnus risked his life to save mine.
Years ago, in a house fire, not even my parents could save me. What business did Magnus have with this? A mindless wild dog.
A foolish, easily deceived wild dog.
A small girl hid behind her mother, pointing at me. "Mom, that woman is so scary, crying and laughing at the same time." The woman covered the girl's mouth. "Don't provoke the mentally ill, let's go."
The night grew darker.
I waited until my whole body was stiff, and only then did the doctor arrive.
"Your husband is stable for now. We need to continue monitoring him, but once he passes the critical phase, he can be transferred to a regular room." After thanking the doctor, I began the long wait.
In truth, I didn't know who to contact.
I didn't know anything about Magnus's family.
I had no idea who his relatives were.
That accident had, in a strange way, bound me to him.
A few days later, Magnus was moved to a regular room.
Weston called me. "Ms. Rothschild, Jasper's information is absolutely reliable. Just trust me this once."
I looked at Magnus, lying unconscious in the hospital bed. "We'll discuss this when I get back. Don't make any moves without my permission." Weston was slightly displeased but said nothing more.
That afternoon, Magnus woke up.
The room was eerily quiet, with soft golden sunlight streaming onto the hanging ivy beside the bed.
I, exhausted, had fallen asleep on the bed beside him.
Magnus shifted his arm slightly, accidentally waking me from my dream.
He looked at my work phone lying on the side, his brows furrowing, silent.
He knew I had remembered.
The next second, I suddenly threw myself into his arms, wrapping my arms around his neck. I pouted, and a tear rolled down my cheek. Only then did Magnus relax, holding my waist. "I didn't get crushed by others, but you're about to crush me." I just kept sobbing, not saying a word.
Eventually, Magnus gently patted my back. "Call the doctor for me. I need to understand my condition."
...
Magnus was exactly what you'd expect from a "wild card".
After waking up, his condition improved with each passing day. We both tacitly avoided talking about my regained memories.
We set the return date for the last day of the holiday.
When we boarded the plane, Magnus packed a pile of luggage.
Half of it was filled with little trinkets I had purposely bought with his wallet during our shopping sprees.
Sitting on the plane, I watched as the city of Y City quickly shrank, gradually disappearing into the sea of clouds.
I felt as if I had just woken from a dream.
Returning to the battleground I shared with Magnus felt like stepping back into reality.
I was never Magnus's wife.
I was an adversary, one who wanted to see him fall.
"Are we really going this hard?" Magnus's voice came from beside me, pulling me back from my thoughts. A wooden cherry blossom tree model appeared on his lap.
It was a model I had bought for Magnus to help me assemble as a hobby.
I took the model and cradled it in my arms. "Yes."
Magnus gave me a couple of looks, but didn't speak. He closed the blueprint and waited for the plane to land.
The airport was crowded after the holiday, and we pushed our luggage carts, weaving through the maze of terminals before slowly reaching the exit. I spotted Weston.
I realized some dramas were meant to end.
Looking up at Magnus, I was about to speak when he suddenly pulled me into his arms.
"Do you remember what I said that night?" That harsh, threatening statement? My heart skipped a beat, as if something was pulling me, leaving an aching, bittersweet feeling.
Magnus said, "Come find me when you've decided what you want to say." After speaking, he pushed me into the crowd, guiding me towards Weston.
Weston smiled at me. "Ms. Rothschild, as promised, I've brought the police." Hearing those words, my blood turned to ice.
A few officers stepped out from behind Weston, expertly showing their IDs. "Mr. Everstone, based on a tip-off, you're suspected of corporate crimes. Please come with us." The commotion immediately attracted a crowd.
I turned around in shock.
Magnus's gentle smile froze at the corner of his lips. With a click, the handcuffs locked onto his still-healing wrist.
I took a step forward but was shoved back by the surging crowd. I was carried away, getting farther from him.
"So that's how it is."
Magnus stared at me, his tone light. I opened my mouth. "It wasn't me—"
Magnus lowered his eyes and smiled faintly. "Miss Rothschild has laid quite a big trap. You want to kill me?" Weston retorted, "If you're not right with yourself, don't blame others." Magnus lifted his gaze again, his eyes flashing with that familiar sharpness and coldness.
"Oh, I see. When you, Lillian, played at losing your memory and toyed with my feelings, didn't you think about that 'wrongdoing'?" A sharp pain flashed in my chest.
Facing my reddened eyes, Magnus smirked. "Did I say something wrong?"
I said, "You're wrong. I wasn't the one who called the police."
"Three months ago, it wasn't you asking my brother for evidence?" I had no words.
It was true—I had entertained that thought.
It was indeed me who had gone to his brother for evidence. The police pushed him forward. "Enough chatter, get in the car."
Magnus staggered a few steps, his injuries flaring up, and his brow furrowed in pain.
Before getting into the car, he stopped, turned around, and mouthed something to me. I could clearly read his lips.
He said: "Lillian, wait for me."
"I'll kill you myself."
