My Brain Fades, His Hate Never Ends Chapter 01

My Brain Fades, His Hate Never Ends Chapter 01

Five years ago, I turned off my boyfriend’s ventilator while he lay in his hospital bed.

But he was saved by a gifted medical student who’d stopped by for rounds.

They got married soon after.

I was diagnosed with a rare progressive cerebral atrophy.

My memories slipped away nonstop, like water slipping through a wicker basket.

I clung to a Polaroid, a tattoo on my arm, and a crammed notebook to piece my broken life together.

They found me working at a tiny, remote gas station.

The man loomed over me, a sarcastic smile tugging at his lips.

“Elara Cole. You were pretty ruthless trying to kill me for that petty accident insurance, weren’t you?”

“Too bad you schemed for nothing.”

I didn’t recognize the man in front of me. I just asked blankly,

“Sir, do you need gas?”

The man laughed bitterly and pulled the woman beside him into his arms.

“Miss Cole, you’re even acting amnesia to dodge responsibility. Impressive.”

“Of course we need gas. Fill it up. Not a drop less.”

I glanced at the instructions written on my cuff and followed the steps.

“Yes, sir.”

…

“Hold the nozzle steady. Don’t get any on my wife’s shoes.”

The man’s cold voice cut over my head.

I looked down at her diamond-encrusted heels and shifted the nozzle carefully.

“Yes.”

I double-checked my cuff, popped the gas cap, and inserted the nozzle.

Numbers flickered on the screen.

“Elias, why waste your breath on someone like this?”

The woman in his arms purred, full of disgust.

“Look at her filthy uniform. She’ll stink you up.”

Elias Voss chuckled softly.

“Scarlett, you’re too kind.”

“Some people don’t improve in five years—they just get cheaper at luring men.”

Every word stung like poison, but I didn’t understand.

I only knew my job was to fill the tank.

“Sir, what make is your car?”

I looked up. Different brands needed small adjustments.

Elias’s face darkened instantly.

“Why do you want to know?”

Scarlett Hale laughed behind her hand.

“Miss Cole, this Celestia was custom-made for your old favorite color. Only one in the world.”

“You don’t remember that either?”

I stared at her, confused.

“I don’t know you.”

“Elias, look at her. There she goes again.”

Scarlett shook her head helplessly and leaned into his shoulder.

“She’s acting so real I almost believe it.”

Elias’s eyes turned ice-cold.

He pulled a black Amex card from his wallet and dropped it on the ground.

“When you’re done, clean my rims.”

“Use your sleeve.”

I froze.

My cuff had the steps I’d written in marker.

If I ruined it, I’d forget how to pump gas.

“No.”

I refused quietly.

“What did you say?”

Elias looked like he’d just heard the most absurd thing imaginable.

“Elara Cole. Say that again.”

I stared at the card on the ground, then my sleeve, and repeated firmly.

“No.”

“I can’t get my sleeve dirty.”

Elias’s patience snapped.

He jumped out of the car and grabbed my wrist.

His grip was so tight he might crush my bones.

“Five years and you still dare to tell me ‘no’?”

“Why didn’t you say ‘no’ when you pulled my ventilator?!”

His roar drew stares.

I winced in pain and nearly dropped the nozzle.

Just then, a man in the same uniform rushed over.

“Let go of her!”

He shoved Elias aside and stepped in front of me.

It was Jude Cole, my brother.

I pulled out my Polaroid and snapped a photo of his face.

When the picture developed, I wrote on the back:

Jude Cole — my brother.

Elias’s smirk turned colder when he saw Jude.

“Well, well. Found yourself a new bodyguard.”

“Elara, your taste just gets worse every year.”

“From me to some random nobody… now a gas station jockey?”

Jude’s face flushed with anger.

“Watch your mouth!”

“Who do you think you are to talk about my sister like that?!”

Scarlett stepped forward immediately, looping her arm through Elias’s, haughty.

“Sir, you should watch your tone.”

“You’re speaking to Elias Voss, CEO of the Voss Group.”

“The man you could never afford to offend.”

Jude pulled me further behind him.

“I don’t care if he’s a CEO. You don’t hurt my sister.”

Elias stared at us coldly.

“Fine.”

“Playing hero, huh?”

He lifted his foot and slammed his expensive custom shoe onto the gas hose.

“I’m not leaving today.”

“Let’s see how long you two can protect her.”

Jude’s face went pale.

I knew he was scared of losing this job.

It was our only way to survive.

I stepped out from behind him and walked to Elias.

I knelt down and picked up his black card.

Then I lifted my shirt and carefully wiped his spotless rims, one by one.

Murmurs spread around us.

I heard people mutter “pathetic.”

I heard them say “she deserves it.”

Elias looked down at me, no warmth in his eyes.

“Elara Cole, remember this moment.”

“This is only the beginning.”

I finished the last rim, stood up, and held out his card.

“Sir, it’s done.”

He didn’t take it.

Scarlett giggled.

“Elias, look how obedient she is.”

“If you’d just done this sooner…”

Elias suddenly slapped the card out of my hand.

“I didn’t say use your shirt.”

“I said use your sleeve.”

He pointed at my marked cuff, commanding every word.

“Now. Do it. With that sleeve.”

“Scrub it until it’s ruined.”