54-2 (English Translation)
"Just for fun. Felt like being nostalgic," Evan replied half-jokingly.
Raine chuckled. "Nostalgic? We never even talked like this back then."
Evan studied her face closely. Her face... looked so much like Michelle's. But Michelle didn't exist in anyone's memory anymore.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Raine asked.
Evan shook his head slowly. "It's nothing. You just… remind me of someone."
Raine smiled and took a sip of the drink Sennia had just brought over. "Someone special?"
Evan didn't answer. He just stared into his glass, his thoughts drifting back to Michelle—the woman who now only lived in his memories.
He looked down at the glass in his hand, his expression unreadable. Silence hung in the air before he finally spoke in a low voice, "Yeah… she passed away while pregnant with my child."
Raine froze. She slowly set her glass down, trying to process what Evan had just said. "Sorry, do you mean… she…"
Evan looked directly at her, his eyes cold—but there was a profound sadness behind them. "My wife. She's gone."
Raine was stunned. Ever since Evan had resurfaced in the media because of Fara, there had never been any news about him being married. No records, no gossip—not even when reporters had dug into his past.
"I…" Raine hesitated, choosing her words. "I never heard anything about that before."
Evan gave a faint smile, one that never reached his eyes. "No one did. And I don't want to talk about it anymore."
His tone was final, shutting down any chance of further discussion. Raine nodded, respecting the sudden silence that enveloped them. But in her heart, the questions kept swirling—who was the woman Evan once married, and why was there not a single trace of her in this world?
After paying the bill, Raine excused herself first. Evan only nodded quietly, his mind still full of tangled thoughts. Once she was gone, he immediately sought out Sennia.
He found her near the cashier, organizing some receipts. "Sennia," he called.
She turned to him, her face expressionless—completely different from the friendly smile earlier. "Yes, Uncle Evan?"
"I want to talk. And… I need your number."
Sennia raised an eyebrow, considering his request. "I still have your business card. I'll message you later."
Evan looked at her blankly. "I want it now."
Sennia paused for a moment, then sighed. She took out her phone, typed something, and seconds later, Evan's phone vibrated. A message came in:
Sennia:Uncle Evan, here's my number.
Evan glanced at his screen, then looked back at her. "Thank you."
Sennia gave a small nod and returned to her work.
—
"You said you didn't know about the curse?" Evan stared at her intently.
The girl gave a faint smile, as if she had expected the question. "I don't know anything about the curse, Uncle. But I do know one thing—you don't age. And I also know that everyone you care about always ends up disappearing."
Evan felt his breath catch. "How do you know that?"
Sennia's gaze stayed calm. "Aunt Nadira, for example. You used to be close with her, but now she's married to Uncle Reza."
Evan went silent.
"I was there too, you know. I worked as catering staff at their wedding."
Evan clenched his fists on his lap.
"When Raka was sick," Sennia continued, "I was looking after Aunt Laras at the hospital. But you never came with her again."
Evan remembered the child who once called him 'Papa'. Raka.
"And when you married Michelle…" Sennia exhaled softly. "I was there too. I saw how happy you were. But now?"
Evan waited, but Sennia only gave him a thin smile.
"You're alone again, aren't you?" she asked calmly, her tone gentle but cutting.
Evan looked at her, trying to find answers in her eyes. "Why doesn't anyone remember them being part of my life?"
Sennia shrugged, her eyes remaining calm. "I don't know."
Then, a faint smile crept onto her lips. "But I do enjoy watching you lose them."
Evan felt a chill crawl down his spine.
—
After the café conversation, Evan realized something with clarity—Raine was not Michelle.
She might have the same face, but her eyes were different. The way she spoke, how she answered questions, even the way she expressed her thoughts… none of it was Michelle.
Michelle had always been gentle, thoughtful before speaking. Raine was bolder, more spontaneous. Michelle might choose to stay silent and investigate quietly, but Raine would openly challenge things that didn't make sense to her.
They were two completely different people.
And most painful of all, Evan knew now that Michelle—the wife he had loved—was truly gone. No one could ever replace her.
Evan opened the drawer of his desk. Inside, a small ring box had been tucked away for a long time.
His fingers trembled slightly as he picked up the box and opened it. Inside, the silver ring still shone under the room's light.
The ring he never got to give Nadira. The ring that once belonged to Michelle.
He remembered how the engraved name inside the ring had changed over time. At first, it said "Evan-Nadira." Then, it vanished—just like Nadira did from his life.
Later, it had changed to "Evan-Michelle." The ring had once circled Michelle's finger—the woman he loved deeply. But just like before, the engraving faded when the year turned, when Michelle disappeared too.
And now…
Evan squinted, making sure he wasn't seeing things. His breath hitched.
A new name had appeared.
"Evan-Sennia."
His heartbeat quickened.
Why that name?
—
Four months flew by.
During that time, Evan worked harder than ever before, showing dedication and persistence that no one could ignore.
Every morning, he arrived earlier than everyone else, read reports, attended important meetings, and handled every project entrusted to him. He wasn't just trying to meet his father's expectations—he wanted to surpass them.
And today, his efforts finally paid off.
In the executive boardroom, Nathaniel William announced his decision in front of the board.
"Starting today, Nathaniel Evan will serve as my assistant."
The executives exchanged glances before giving a round of polite applause. Evan sat calmly, though inside he felt a surge of satisfaction.
After the meeting, as the room emptied, his father looked at him steadily. "You've worked hard. But this is only the beginning."
Evan nodded. "I know, Pa."
He used to work hard to survive the curse.
Now, he worked to prove himself.
—