RYKER"She's not here. Weren't you two together last night?"When I got to my in-laws' house, I was quickly pulled into the job of finding my wife. As expected, she was not there. Maybe, deep down, she knew that my persistent chase would eventually lead me to her parents' house."Yes, Mom," I replied, my voice tinged with melancholy. "She left without telling me. She was gone when I woke up.""Perhaps she's at Russell's house.""Maybe she'll just leave for a while. Why did you not call your house? She might already be there."I took a deep breath and gathered the courage to pull my phone out of my pocket. Without delay, I quickly picked up the phone and called one of my maids. She answered my call immediately, and I could hear her voice clearly at the other end."Has Claire arrived yet?" Instantly, as soon as she answered the call, I asked."Not yet, sir.""All right, let me know when she gets there."I quickly ended the call without allowing the maid to say anything. "Did the two of

RYKER"Love, I looked everywhere for you. Where have you been?"As soon as I saw Claire at my in-laws' house, I felt a strong urge to give her a big hug."Looking for you almost drove me crazy," I whispered.Because Claire didn't say anything, I was able to hug her. It took a while, but eventually, I let go of her. Then I turned my attention to my respected in-laws and looked at their faces with an unwavering gaze. Their eyes seem to send me a mysterious message—a quiet call to prepare for what I don't know.As my eyes moved to the stairs, Heiji smoothly descending them caught my attention. He had a strange look, similar to how my mother-in-law looked at me with her eyes. It was like I sensed something odd about us all. His lips were adorned with a sly grin, and a soft tug suggested that he was quite fun.I looked at Claire again. "Let's go home.""Ryker, I'm not going to your house."A deep wrinkle appeared on my brow as I twisted my face into a dissatisfied look. "My house? Are you

CLAIRE"Claire..."While lying on the bed, I felt warm and cozy from the blanket. I gently pulled my legs together and cradled them in a private show of comfort. Tears ran down my face as I did this, showing how distraught I was. It's like forgetting has snagged my mind and thrown me into a sea of broken memories. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that something so unexpected would happen. In my heart, I always wanted Ryker's touch. The things that occurred tore apart the very fabric of my life, leaving my world in a mess. The sad truth is that I can't remember anything except the painful memory of an aching pain that plagued my mind the night before while Heiji and I were talking. He reached out to help me and led me up the stairs with a gentle hand. Anything after that time is lost in my memory, and I have no more thoughts. I feel uneasy in the depths of my being like the very fabric of my mind is becoming less stable. The lines between what makes sense are fuzzy, leaving me lo

RYKER"Would you like some beer?" As the words escaped my lips, a subtle undertone of uncertainty accompanied them. "Are you sure about that?"Once we had finished our meal of instant ramen, Claire and I made the decision to remain in the comfort of the living room. As I stood in the kitchen, conversing with Claire's mother over the phone, Claire remained seated nearby, her presence filling the room. With a sense of urgency, I promptly relayed the events, making sure to alleviate their concerns and provide a clear explanation of my actions. The length of our stay in this place remains uncertain, hinging on the swiftness Claire can find in her heart to forgive me. At this moment, I have a strong desire to converse with her. I intend to provide a comprehensive explanation and delve deeper into the various facets of the situation.With cautious steps, I inched closer to Claire, my heart pounding in my chest, a mixture of fear and intrigue coursing through my veins. In a composed manner,

RYKER"I am a failure."I sighed in contentment as I set the empty amber liquid container on the table. Its contents were once bubbly and flavorful, but my use has drained them. After finishing my drink, I enjoyed the aftertaste. I sat on the sofa's velvety back and took a deep breath. I cupped my head in my hands and gently kneaded the knots of stress that had formed inside. Twelve bottles of beer were almost completely gone. I, too, am in a daze, and I, too, give in to the dizzying feelings that assault my senses. I let out a faint sigh as I released the air from my lungs. As I closed my eyes, I found comfort in the darkness and welcomed the little reprieve it provided.Unfortunately, once Claire left, she never came back. Taking stock of the situation, I hoped that a thorough explanation of what was going on would help bring everything back into balance. Unfortunately, I have no idea what caused her sudden disinterest in me.'But, Ryker, I'm no longer worthy of you.'It was always