The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 423

She had lost all memory of the Antarctic expedition. She had lost the White Microbe. But most importantly... she had lost Garrison.

She didn't remember marrying him. She didn't remember having his child. She didn't remember the agonizing cold war he put her through, or how she suffered alone under the crushing weight of the Foster family.

She had completely, thoroughly forgotten that man existed.

When she said, "I have zero interest in him," there was no lingering anger or hidden resentment. It was just the polite, mild annoyance of someone dealing with an overly persistent stranger.

But she hadn't forgotten him. She hadn't forgotten their childhood together.

Did that mean... after waiting in the shadows all these years, he finally had a real chance?!

The thought struck him like lightning, and his heart refused to settle down.

Thump. Thump. Thump. He took another long sip of sake, desperately trying to drown the frantic beating in his chest, but it didn't work.

"Josh, you should slow down."

Sloane's voice floated across the table, carrying the natural, easy warmth of an older sibling looking out for a younger brother. "Your face is completely red."

Josh put the cup down, pressing the back of his hand to his cheek. It was burning hot.

He shook his head, grabbed the carafe, and poured himself another full cup, splashing just a tiny drop into Sloane's empty glass.

"I'm fine, Sloane."

"I'm just really happy today."

He lifted his glass, holding it up to the candlelight. The flickering flame caught the edges of his hair, turning it a soft, warm amber. His deep, expressive eyes were bright, swimming with a mixture of alcohol and pure, unadulterated joy.

She took her medication religiously, keeping the pill bottles right next to the pothos plant on her bookshelf so she'd never forget.

She ate her meals like clockwork, bouncing between the beef stew and the tomato pasta in the dining hall.

She went to every single class, slowly but surely catching up on the material. Some of the formulas and economic models were completely alien to her, but she wasn't afraid to start from scratch.

Her life was as calm as a stagnant pool of water, without a single ripple.

And her body was healing. She didn't lose her breath after walking anymore. The dizzy spells stopped. She finally had some real color in her cheeks, and the sharp bones of her wrists were softening.

There was only one slight issue.

Piper and Josh were being... uncomfortably attentive.