Chapter 2

I couldn't let anyone know what I was planning, not even Chloe.

But I loved going on dates with her. When I was with her, I could escape Audrey's surveillance. Since Chloe was always busy with her company's emergencies, she would often leave me alone for hours.

Those blocks of time were my moments of absolute freedom.

I wasn't sure what would happen to me after the wedding, so I had to execute my escape plan and get to Boston before the big day.

I secretly sold the expensive gifts my family gave me. I also hoarded the cash they gave me for our dates. Once I saved enough to buy a cheap, unregistered used car, I could disappear without a trace.

A month later, my chance came.

While I was accompanying Chloe to try on wedding dresses, her phone rang. Her face paled instantly. "Another issue? The moment I’m not there, everything goes to hell! We're losing more money than we're making from the Logan family deal! Wait for me, I’m coming right now..."

She rushed out and drove off.

Usually, when her company had an emergency, she would be gone for at least one to two hours.

I didn't waste a second. I quickly changed my clothes, took a cab to a sketchy used car dealership I had scouted earlier, and bought a beat-up sedan for a high price in cash.

I had no choice. My time was limited, and I couldn't leave any paper trail for my family to track.

Once I got the keys, I threw my phone into a trash can and drove straight to Boston.

I didn't know how to find Vivian. To survive in Boston, I found a job at an exclusive, underground gentlemen's club in a secluded part of the city.

Strangely enough.

I seemed highly adapted to this job—one that didn't require an ID check but demanded I swallow my pride to please wealthy female clients.

I served clients at night, quietly asking around for any news of Vivian, and slept in the staff dorms during the day.

I had already ditched the car. I was confident my family couldn't track me down here.

But two weeks later, I got a strange customer.

She claimed to be one of Chloe’s assistants, on vacation in her hometown for a wedding, and decided to stop by the club to relax.

But I had met all of Chloe’s assistants, and I had absolutely no memory of this woman.

I tried to fish for information. "I heard Chloe’s fiancé went missing. Is her team looking for him?"

The assistant looked baffled. "What are you talking about? Chloe’s fiancé is the heir of the Brandon family. They were spotted drinking at a club together just last night. Who said he went missing?"

She pulled out a photo of Chloe and the Brandon heir at their engagement party.

The venue was packed with guests. My sister, Audrey, and my parents were clearly visible in the crowd.

But the Chloe in that photo was not the Chloe I had been dating!

My scalp went numb, and a cold sweat broke out across my back.

If even Chloe was a lie, then my family’s story about erasing my memory just for a business merger made no sense.

Then what was the truth?

What were they trying to do to me?

Suddenly, the door to the VIP room was kicked open with a loud bang.

Audrey stepped inside, her face dark with fury. She rushed over and slapped me hard across the face. "I knew you were hiding in a place like this! Logan, you are a son of the family! Do you really love doing this cheap, disgusting work that much?"

Before my chaotic brain could process what was happening, Audrey’s bodyguards grabbed me and dragged me brutally into a waiting car.

My parents were waiting inside the vehicle.

The warmth and affection they used to show me were completely replaced by deep disappointment.

"Logan, what do we have to do to make you believe that Vivian doesn't exist? She’s a fake!"

I shook my head in panic, unable to speak.

I kept telling myself in my head: They are liars. I cannot believe a single word they say.

Finally, Audrey lost her patience and snapped.

"Logan, you’ve only had one girlfriend in your entire life."

"You want to see her, right?"

"Fine. I’ll take you to her right now!"