Frank lifted his chin and sighed with an air of teasing. “Yes, the woman he loves most is infatuated with his best friend…
“Since you feel so sorry for him…” Brandon interrupted Frank, his smile turning frosty”How about I introduce Elizabeth to him? You seem quite generous. I believe you’d be willing to help him out, wouldn’t you?” At the mention of Elizabeth, Frank’s composure cracked, and he blurted out,”How can you just introduce her to him?”
Brandon’s eyes narrowed, and he replied coolly, “I thought you were kind-hearted enough to do it.”
Frank’s bravado crumbled under Brandon’s serious gaze. He shrank back, forcing an awkward smile.”Forget it, forget it. Maybe he’s not as pitiable as I thought…”
It was only then that Brandon’s gaze softened, and he ceased his verbal sparring with Frank. Natalie, who had been smiling and observing their banter, was taken aback when she heard Elizabeth’s name. She murmured to herself, repeating,”Elizabeth…
Her eyes grew distant, as if the name had stirred something within her, leaving her with an inexplicable and unfamiliar feeling.
When Brandon heard Natalie’s murmuring, he couldn’t quite make out what she was saying He reached out and gently touched her face, asking, “What were you saying?”
Coming to her senses, Natalie frowned in confusion. “Elizabeth, you just mentioned… Who is she?”
Both Brandon and Frank looked at each other, a glimmer of hope in their eyes.
Holding her hand tightly, Brandon’s voice was anxious and expectant, “Did you remember something?”
Natalie bit her lower lip in distress and thought for a moment before shaking her head dejectedly.”My mind is still blank. I don’t have any memory of the past. I just felt an inexplicable familiarity when I heard the name ‘Elizabeth’.”
The light in Brandon’s eyes dimmed,a glimmer of hope in their eyes.
Holding her hand tightly, Brandon’s voice was anxious and expectant,”Did you remember something?”
Natalie bit her lower lip in distress and thought for a moment before shaking her head dejectedly. “My mind is still blank. I don’t have any memory of the past. I just felt an inexplicable familiarity when I heard the name ‘Elizabeth’.”
The light in Brandon’s eyes dimmed, disappointment evident in his voice. “You don’t remember anything?”
He had hoped that Natalie’s sudden mention of the name might signal a breakthrough in her amnesia. But his hopes were dashed.
Ever since Natalie’s return, her memory had been lost, and her physical examination showed other abnormalities. The uncertainty of when or if she would recover weighed heavily on Brandon.
His sadness was palpable, and Natalie could feel it.
Guilt welled up inside her, and she reached out to hold Brandon’s broad, warm hand, whispering, “I’m sorry… ‘ll try to remember the past.”
Seeing Brandon’s despair,Frank stepped up and patted him on the shoulder, reassuringly saying, “Don’t worry. When we get back to Barnes,we’ll consult with more doctors and try different treatments. I’m sure we can help Natalie recover her memory.”
He then turned to Natalie, explaining patiently,”Elizabeth is a former colleague of yours, and a good friend.”
Despite Frank’s explanation, Natalie was still unable to recall Elizabeth.Her head dropped in disappointment as she said, “I still can’t remember.”
“It’s okay if you can’t remember right now.” Frank’s demeanor changed as he spoke, becoming more patient and gentler than his usual casual self.”When we return to Barnes, I will take Elizabeth to see you. You can meet more people you knew before,and maybe you’ll remember something.”
Hearing Frank’s words, the disappointment on Natalie’s face vanished. She nodded, her eyes bright with expectation.
Suddenly,a spark of recognition flashed in Natalie’s eyes. She blinked playfully and smiled, asking,”Is Elizabeth your girlfriend?
Caught off guard by thequestionFrank scratched the back of his head and nodded shylyYes… Yesshe is!
With a knowing smile,Natalie continued,”You said I used to be a designer. Is she also an accomplished designer “Of course!” Frank’s face lit up at the mention of his girlfriend’s career. He whipped out his mobile phone and quickly navigated to the W Marks Studio’s official website. Finding Elizabeth’s designs, he handed the phone to Natalie, enthusiasm in his voice.”Look, these were all designed by her. She’s amazing,isn’t she?”
Taking the phone, Natalie looked at the works, each one bearing Elizabeth’s signature, and said appreciatively, “You’re right. She is indeed a brilliant designer. Her designs are stunning.”
Frank nodded proudly, unable to resist a boast. “Of course she is. Otherwise, how could she be my girlfriend?”
Brandon shot a disdainful glance at the smug Frank and said indifferently,”Shameless.” Frank shot back a glare at Brandon and snorted.
The more Natalie examined the design works, the more absorbed she becameAs she browsed through the photos on the W Marks Studio website, her eyes suddenly widened, her expression turning intense and focused. Seeing her engrossed look, Brandon smiled affectionately and gently.
He hadn’t expected that,even without her memory, Natalie’s love and passion for design would remain undiminished.
Frank had initially intended to take his phone back after showing Natalie Elizabeth’s work, but he hadn’t expected her to become so engrossed in browsing the site. Growing a bit impatient, he asked,”Whose work are you looking at? What’s got you so interested?” Natalie, lost in the designs, didn’t respond. Curiosity piqued,Brandon leaned over to see what had captured her attention.
As soon as he saw what she was looking at, his face darkened.
Frank’s heart skipped a beat when he noticed Brandon’s darkened expression. He quietly leaned over to see what had caught Natalie’s eye on the phone,recognized the signature of a work by Draco, and couldn’t help but snicker.
Natalie was engrossed in the prize-winning designs of Draco, her former role model in the industry.
Brandon, not wanting to disturb her, could only direct his frustration at Frank. He shot Frank a cold look that seemed to say,”Mind your own business.”
Frank’s expression was one of innocence. Why had he traveled all the way from Barnes to another country?
It had taken immense time and effort to help Natalie reconnect with familiar people and places, hoping to hasten the return of her memory.He had done it all for Brandon!
Yet, instead of thanks,Brandon gave him the cold shoulder.
Brandon was simply infuriating!
With this thought,Frank shot Brandon an angry glare, only to find his look had been noticed.
Startled, he turned his head away,trying to seem casual.
Natalie, absorbed in her browsing, missed the silent exchange between the two men.When she had looked through all the works on the W Marks Studio’s official website, she returned the phone to Frank.
Brandon, taking her hand, asked with a hint of hope,”How about it? These design works were all created by your former colleagues. Do you feel any familiarity with them?”
“Familiarity? No.” Natalie shook her head, her eyes moving from Frank to Brandon.”The designer named Draco, I like his work very much. Did I know him before?”
A pang of jealousy hit Brandon. He hadn’t expected that even with her lost memory,Natalie would still be drawn to Draco’s designs. However,before Brandon could speak,Frank had already nodded casuallyYes,you know him. You’re both designers,so of course,you know him.”
“Do I really know him?” Natalie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Even though I don’t remember the past, I can tell from his works that he must be an incredibly talented designer. I’m thrilled to know someone so amazing.’
Brandon’s heart swelled with jealousy upon hearing Natalie praise Draco, and his face involuntarily darkened.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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