“It’s such a pity though…” Abel said as he pinched her dainty chin lightly. “…that I still don’t want to see you even when you resort to such tricks.”

“But you met Emmett, and you liked him!” Emmeline argued. “So, my plan worked!”

“You would’ve had to come clean sooner or later,” Abel’s voice was cold and distant. “You’re a despicable conman!”

“Abel… how could you say that about me?” Emmeline cried. “Do you really not love me anymore?”

“Did I ever love you?” Abel narrowed his eyes on her. “Why don’t I remember it then?”

“That’s because Waylon forced you to take Worryfree!” Emmeline said. “You were forced to erase your feelings for me.”

“What did you say?” Abel raised an eyebrow. “Worry what? Sounds like something Benjamin had mentioned to me before.”

“Do you remember when you went to Adelmar Island to look for me?” Emmeline wiped at her tears as she recalled those memories.

“Of course, I do. I didn’t lose my memories,” Abel said flatly.

“When I was on the brink of death, how did you feel? Were you worried for me?” Emmeline prodded.

“Hmm,” Abel nodded slowly. “Yes, I was. I didn’t want you to die since you weren’t a bad person.”

“You kept waiting on me despite being sick yourself and refused treatment from Waylon, correct?” Emmeline continued.

“Hmm, that’s right,” Abel said after recalling that moment. “My stomach was bleeding out and my life was in danger too, but I was indeed extremely worried about you back then.”

“You were in that state, but you still insisted on being with me. Isn’t that proof that you love me?” Emmeline asserted.

Abel was silent for a moment as he regarded Emmeline’s words before he shook his head. “But I don’t have any romantic feelings toward you at all…”

“Then let me ask you…” Emmeline’s eyes were dark and intense as she stared at Abel. “Why did you eventually decide to receive treatment?”

“I… I don’t know,” Abel admitted.

“And once you finally received treatment and got better, you just packed up your bags and left the island without checking on me,” Emmeline recounted.

“Yes, I just… didn’t feel any urge or longing to look for you or check on you anymore, so I decided to leave,” Abel said honestly.

“Well, don’t you think your actions are in total conflict before and after you received treatment? You were initially so worried about me, but you seemed to have completely forgotten about me afterward…” Emmeline tried to point out the inconsistencies in Abel’s attitude.

“How should I know? Perhaps I just managed to let go…” Abel supposed.

“No, people don’t just “let go” all of a sudden!” Emmeline grew frustrated. “It’s because Waylon gave you Worryfree to erase all your feelings toward me. That’s the only reason why you finally accepted treatment and why we ended up like this. You didn’t intend to forget about me, Abel. It’s the effects of Worryfree, do you understand?”

“Who are you trying to bluff?” Abel snapped. “You’re saying there’s such a thing as a potion to forget about love?”

“It doesn’t matter whether you believe me or not. Worryfree was invented by Waylon, and you were the first human test subject, while I became the first victim of the drug!” Emmeline cried in despair.

Abel took two wary footsteps backward. “Emmeline, you’ve always been a little strange, but this can’t be true. There’s just no such thing on earth!”

“Fine, even if it’s not true and I’m lying to you…” tears streamed down Emmeline’s face as she spoke. “I’m just praying that you’ll fall in love with me again. I just want to go back to those days when we were madly in love with each other, Abel…” she weeped.

“That’s impossible,” Abel’s voice was flat and unemotional. “I’d sooner fall in love with a pig than with you!”

“Abel Ryker!” Emmeline stomped her foot on the ground as hot tears gushed down her face non-stop. “Are you saying I’m no better than a pig?”

“I’m just saying, a pig wouldn’t lie to me or deceive me like you did. I treated you sincerely and kindly for the past few days, but all you did was take me for a fool!” Abel barked.

“Darling, please forgive me. I told you I had no choice…” Emmeline pleaded.

“Don’t call me darling. You’ll only make me feel uncomfortable!” Abel frowned.