Faking Amnesia to Replace Me? Keep Her, I’m Gone. Chapter 01

Faking Amnesia to Replace Me? Keep Her, I’m Gone. Chapter 01

After being missing for three days, my daughter came home and the first thing she did was throw herself into the arms of my foster sister, Nessa, and call her Mother.

The Healer said the trauma had left her temporarily confused, unable to sort out her memories or recognize scents.

My parents suggested that Nessa pretend to be her mother for the time being.

My Alpha mate, Kieran, also urged me not to upset our daughter any further.

I endured it, plastering on a smile as I watched the five of them play happy family.

That was until I came home early one day and happened to hear my daughter’s laughter.

“Father, am I doing a good job pretending?”

“If I keep pretending I have it wrong, can Aunt Nessa keep being my Mother?”

Inside, my parents and Kieran burst out laughing.

So it had all been a lie from start to finish.

If she wanted to keep getting it wrong, then she could.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called in years.

“You once said you’d always keep the Luna position open for me. Do you still mean it?”

“Forever.”

“Then come get me. In three days.”

…

After hanging up, I soothed the restless wolf in my torso.

Inside the room, Kieran was still laughing.

“Yeah, Elsie is so smart!”

Nessa laughed too and pulled her into her arms.

“Elsie, why do you like me being your mother so much?”

Elsie counted on her fingers.

“Because Father likes you, and Grandma and Grandpa like you better, too.”

“So Elsie has to like Aunt Nessa more, too, just like everybody else!”

“Good thing Father came up with this great idea for me to pretend to be sick. Otherwise, I’d still have to call that old woman Mother.”

Kieran reached over and patted Elsie on the head. “Elsie, no matter what, she’s still your Mother.”

My mother came out with a platter of fruit and laughed as she joined in.

“Elsie is still little. Don’t blame her.”

“Nessa’s always said she wished Elsie were her pup.”

“Well, now everyone got what they wanted.”

Nessa smiled.

Elsie smiled too.

Kieran didn’t contradict them.

When my father stepped out of his study, I was still foolish enough to hold on to one last bit of hope.

But the first thing he said was:

“Elsie, watch yourself around Seren from now on. Don’t let the truth slip.”

“If she finds out that we taught you to pretend to have amnesia, she’ll turn this whole family upside down.”

Elsie pouted.

“She’s not my Mother! Aunt Nessa is my Mother from now on!”

I stood outside the door, clenching my hands tightly at my sides.

But the tension in my palms was nothing compared with the calm coming through the other end of our mate bond.

Kieran was inside.

He was just on the other side of the door.

He knew perfectly well that everyone was deceiving his mate, and he had still chosen to laugh along with them.

I found myself smiling, too.

Then I pushed open the door and walked in.

The laughter inside stopped at once.

Their expressions varied, but a trace of guilt lurked in every pair of eyes.

Kieran reacted first. As gentle as ever, he walked toward me.

“When did you get back? Why are you home so early?”

“It’s still raining outside, isn’t it? You should’ve called. I would’ve driven out to get you.”

I heard the question beneath his words. I smiled and spoke as if nothing had happened.

“I just got back.”

At that, they all looked relieved.

My mother frowned at me.

“Remember to knock next time. Where did you learn to be so rude?”

I opened my mouth.

Wasn’t this my home?

Did I really have to knock before entering my own house?

But in the end, I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat.

My mother went into the kitchen. My father returned to his study. Elsie gave me a glare, then dragged Nessa over to build with her blocks.

Kieran saw that I was soaked through and said only:

“Seren, go change before you catch a cold.”

“I’m going to keep Nessa and Elsie company for a while. Elsie has way too much energy these days, and Nessa can’t handle her alone.”

I sniffed and stepped in front of him.

Even after hearing the whole truth, I still wanted to give this family one last chance.

“I found a Healer who specializes in pup trauma. She’s experienced with cases like Elsie’s.”

“Let’s take Elsie to see her tomorrow.”

A small, pathetic hope stirred in my torso as I looked at Kieran.

Would he agree?

Seven years ago, he had sworn before the Moon Goddess that he’d always stand by me.

Did that vow still mean anything?