After faked amnesia, I left both my son and my husband.

After the car crash, I faked amnesia.

I thought it would shake them up.

Instead, my son brought another woman to my hospital room and called her Mom.

My husband didn't say a word to correct him.

They thought I'd forgotten it all.

They had no ideaI remembered every cruel word, every time he wasn't there, every night I cried myself to sleep.

So I signed the divorce papers, packed my entire life into moving trucks, and walked out without a single look back.

Thats when the panic finally set in for them.

After the accident, I decided to play along with the memory loss to see how my husband and son would react.

"Who are you people?" I asked, keeping my voice flat.

A mischievous glint flashed in my sons eyes. He led a woman in from the hallway and announced, "Ma'am, my parents and I are just visiting."

With bandages wrapped around my head, I looked down at my five-year-old, Leo Carter, holding two adults' hands, a smug little grin on his face.

My husband, Nathan Carter, stood beside him in his impeccably tailored suit. His gaze was intense, searching my face, but he didn't correct our son's choice of words.

The woman Leo clung to wore a soft, flowy white dress. She looked elegant and kind, but flinched slightly under my stare, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Noticing my focus on Amelia Reed, Leo quickly stepped between us, as if shielding her. If I really had amnesia, I might have bought the picture of this perfect, happy little family.

Leo tugged on Nathans hand, whispering just loud enough for me to hear, "Dad, now that Mom cant remember, can you finally get the divorce?"

I knew his game. This was payback because yesterday Id scolded him in front of the housekeeper. This was how Leo got his kicksmaking me the punchline.

But I was done playing. Id claimed memory loss; might as well run with it. Pretend there was no son, no husband.

"Excuse me who are you again?"

Leos jaw went slack, his cocky grin fading into shock. "You you really dont remember me? You cant forget meIm your favorite kid"

Nathans brow furrowed, his icy stare turning even colder, voice dripping with annoyance. "Evelyn Reed, cut the act. The doctor said its a minor concussion. You cant fake amnesia to get out of this."

Leo, his little face scrunched in a mirror of his fathers impatience, chimed in, "Yeah, stop pretending! You love us too much to ever forget us!"

A headache was starting to pound behind my eyes. Before I could respond, a nurse knocked and entered.

"The patient needs to rest now," she stated firmly. "All non-family members, please step out."

Without another word, Nathan and Leo turned, with Amelia following quietly behind them.

The young nurse came in, glancing back at the door. "Your husband was here earlierhe just went to get you some soup from the cafeteria."

"My husband?"

My mind stuttered. Didnt you just escort my husband out?

She blinked. "Yes, hes very handsome. I remember him from four years ago when I worked in L&D. He was at every single one of your prenatal appointments, always waiting so patiently outside. Never on his phone. He had us all believing in love again."

She paused, then chuckled. "By the way, who were those other two? Good-looking, but they had a real 'here to collect a debt' vibe."

I almost laughed. Nathan hadnt come to a single one of my fourteen prenatal appointments. The man whod been by my side was my younger half-brother, Caleb Reed, who was only eighteen back then. I didnt bother explaining. Soon, none of it would matter.

A moment later, Caleb hurried in with a takeout bag, slightly out of breath. The sight made my empty stomach clench; I hadnt eaten all day. Caleb carefully unpacked the containers, napkins, a bottle of water, and a spoon. "I brought some warm ginger tea and your favoritehomemade chicken soup. It'll help. Here, I'll get the lid off for you."

Ever since I met Caleb at fifteen, hed been my rock. A few spoonfuls in, the gnawing emptiness finally began to ease. When I looked up, I saw his eyes were red-rimmed, his lips trembling slightly.

"When I heard about the accident I was terrified."

A bittersweet warmth spread through me. A car crash is terrifying. Id been lucky. Id thought pretending to lose my memory would shake Nathan and Leo up, maybe even give us something to laugh about later. But trying to get concern from a heartless person is like squeezing water from a stone.

A few days later, I was discharged. I firmly told the doctors that aside from Nathan and Leo, my memory was perfectly fine. The doctor explained to Nathan that the memory loss was temporary, a side effect of the concussion, and that my full recall would gradually return.

Back at Nathans house, I headed upstairs, ignoring the cheerful piano duet floating from the living room. Leo and Amelia were playing, and when they finished, Amelia gave him a proud thumbs-up.

"My little maestro, you were wonderful!"

Leo beamed, blushing. "Only because youre the best teacher!"

A perfect picture of mother-son harmony. I continued up the stairs without a word, watching Leos smile vanish as he spotted me.

Amelia quickly stood up. "Mrs. Carter, how are you feeling?"

From the staircase, I gave a polite nod. "Much better, thank you. Please, dont let me interrupt."

I didnt dislike AmeliaI envied her. She wasnt the other woman. She was Nathans unforgettable first love. I was the one who had married him, but the truth is, the one who isnt loved is the real outsider.

Nathan fell for her at eighteen. Last month, when Reed Corp declared bankruptcy, Amelia returned. Shed used all her savings to cover her familys debts, and her music degree didnt open many high-paying doors here. So, Nathan hired her as Leos piano teacher for $6,000 a month.

"New Mom is the best! I love my New Mom!" Leos voice echoed through the foyer.

"Leo, Im notplease dont call me that," Amelia replied, looking uncomfortable.

Unhappy with her response, Leo wrapped his arms around her leg. "If you keep calling me 'Leo,' Ill get mad! You have to call me 'Lee-Lee'! Youre so much nicer than my momI like you best!" He shot a glance toward the stairs, making sure I was gone, then added, "Why dont you just move in? I want to see you first thing every morning! Dad says its fine, and our house is huge! You could have any room you want!"

Nathan had offered to let her stay to save the commute, but shed politely declined, choosing to rent a place instead.

"Leo, you should practice todays piece," Amelia gently reminded him.

He shook his head, persistent. "Are you scared of my mom? Dont be. Dad and I will protect you. She does whatever Dad saysshe wouldnt dare bother you."

Leo knew exactly how to twist the knife. I fastened my pearl earrings and walked downstairs slowly, deliberately. Amelia looked increasingly uneasy as I approached.

"Amelia, you really should consider staying," I said. "I know the commute is brutal. Please, dont stand on ceremony. Youre more than welcome here."

Leo stared, completely thrown. Usually, if Nathan even mumbled Amelias name after a few drinks, Id fall apart. He must have thought hed found the ultimate weapon. But today, it just didnt land.

"I want ice cream!" he demanded, trying a new tack. "Get me two! Noten!"

The only answer was the sound of the front door closing behind me. After days looking a mess in the hospital, I had a skincare appointment. My car was waiting. As the door clicked shut, Leos defiant expression finally crumbled.

"Sir, your ice cream," the housekeeper said, retrieving it from the freezer.

"Who said I wanted any?!" He threw the tub to the floor, his eyes fixed on the closed door.

Could Mom really not remember him?

When Nathans mother, Lydia Carter, found out Amelia was back and teaching Leo, she came over immediately, arms laden with luxury gift bags. She settled on the sofa next to Amelia, taking her hand affectionately.

"Amelia, my dear," she cooed. "Youve been through so much. Oh, if only you and Nathan had ended up together from the start. He could have managed Reed Corp. You wouldnt be in this position."

Amelia flushed. "Lydia, we shouldnt talk about that now. Its all in the past. Im just grateful Nathan gave me this job."

"Why shouldnt we?" Lydia gave her hand a pat. "With you teaching Leo, my mind is at ease. And you know Nathan is filing for divorce. You understand what that means, dont you?"

She lowered her voice. "Dont you worry, dear. Leo adores you, and so do I. Youd fit right in. Besides, Nathan is fully intending to help get Reed Corp back on its feet."

Though Lydia knew I was home, she hadnt announced her visit. I listened from a distance. Nathan liked Amelia, Leo liked Amelia, and clearly, so did his mother. Lydia had wanted Amelia as a daughter-in-law from day one. Amelia came from old money, the perfect match for the Carters. The moment Nathan met her, he was smitten. Lydia was thrilled, immediately starting wedding plans.

The only problem was, Amelia didnt feel the same. She turned Nathan down and left to study music abroad. Lydia, while disappointed, admired her ambition and independence. As for me, from a modest, ordinary family, I was labeled a gold-digger. Lydia was too polite to say it to my face, but her disdain was a constant presence.

Sometimes, I wondered if Amelia had married Nathan from the start, maybe everyone would have been happier.

A buzz from my phone snapped me from my thoughtsa notification that the insurance payout for the accident had cleared. Id thought the crash would fade into a distant memory, but closing my eyes brought it all back, vivid and raw.

It was pouring that night. Nathan and I were on the highway when his phone rang. I heard the voice on the other end clearly: