Shards of Memory [English - Under Revision]

Chapter 18: The heart still remembers

Skylane — Point of View

The mansion felt too large without my parents. They had left hours ago for an urgent meeting at one of our hotels, leaving me to Joy's watchful eyes and the endless quiet of my room. I was still learning to exist in this new version of myself—memories scattered like puzzle pieces, most of them missing.

The doorbell rang mid-afternoon. Joy slipped in, a grin on her face. "The Pollingtons are here. Don't freak out."

Before I could process that warning, a small body barreled at me.

"Sky-Sky!" a little girl shrieked, clinging to my good arm like a koala. Her pigtails bounced as she squeezed tighter. "I missed you so much! Mommy said you forgot me, but I'll remind you. Don't worry—I'll remind you every day!"

My heart stuttered. I crouched awkwardly, hugging her back with my left arm. "You're... very strong," I said, trying to mask my shock.

Behind her, a graceful woman with kind eyes approached, hand on the arm of a tall man with calm features. They looked at me with warmth that made my throat ache.

"I'm Rosie," the woman said gently. "This is my husband, Clark. And that little hurricane is our daughter, Megan."

Names. Anchors in a sea of fog. Rosie. Clark. Megan.

Rosie pulled me into a careful hug. "We're sorry we missed your welcome party yesterday. Business kept us away, but you were in our thoughts."

Clark's hand was steady on my shoulder. "It's good to see you safe, Skylane."

I tried to smile. "Thank you. My parents would've welcomed you too, but they had to leave for a meeting at one of the hotels."

"They're always working," Rosie said knowingly.

Shane tugged at me again. "Promise me, Sky-Sky—we'll go back to Enchanted Kingdom, okay? You loved the rollercoaster! You screamed so loud!"

My stomach twisted. "I... don't remember that," I admitted softly.

"That's okay," she said, cheerful as ever. "I'll remember for both of us."

Something inside me cracked at her certainty.

They didn't stay long. Rosie kissed my cheek again, Clark lifted Shane in his arms, and with more promises to visit, the Pollingtons left. Blaise lingered behind in the doorway, hands stuffed into his pockets.

When we were alone, I let out a shaky breath. "They feel so familiar, but it's like... I'm watching someone else's family on TV."

Blaise's gaze softened. "You don't have to force it. If the memories come, they'll come. Until then—" his voice lowered—"I'll carry them for both of us."

Butterflies erupted in my stomach, too sudden, too strong. "That's... unfair to you."

"Then let it be unfair," he said simply.

His hand brushed mine. Quick. Careful. But it left sparks burning on my skin.

Before I could answer, the doorbell rang again.

The crew arrived like a storm that blew open every window in the mansion.

Joy led them to the playroom, and I followed slowly, Blaise close at my side. The Gabriel playroom wasn't just a playroom—it was practically an arcade: shelves lined with board games, a Nintendo Switch hooked up to a giant screen, a retro Pac-Man machine blinking quietly in the corner, and two gaming PCs glowing like spaceships.

"Holy—this place is insane," Brent said, spinning in a slow circle. "Are we sure this isn't an actual gaming café?"

Sacha was already pulling out Monopoly. "Come on, Brent, you're about to lose fake money as fast as real money."