The boardroom of Blackwood Enterprises was quiet, too quiet.
Lucien sat at the head of the long mahogany table, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. Across from him sat the board members, men and women dressed in sharp suits and calculating expressions.
But Lucien's eyes were fixed on one man: Uncle Reginald Blackwood.
Reginald wore a pleasant smile, but Lucien could see the smugness just beneath it. He'd always been power-hungry, the kind of man who smiled as he slid a dagger between your ribs.
"Let's begin," Lucien said flatly.
The meeting commenced. Profits. Projections. Mergers. Numbers rolled off tongues, but Lucien wasn't listening.
His mind was still back in the hallway, on the painting. On Ava. On the way her eyes had begged him not to ask questions.
He didn't know who to trust anymore.
Then Reginald stood.
"I've reviewed the figures personally," he said smoothly. "And I believe the company would benefit from restructuring. Lucien, you've been... under a lot of stress since your accident. It might be time to consider stepping back, temporarily."
Lucien's eyes narrowed. "Temporarily?"
"Just a few months," Reginald said with a false smile. "Let someone else take over while you... recover."
A hush fell over the room.
It wasn't a suggestion.It was a power grab.
Lucien leaned forward, voice ice-cold. "You want my seat?"
"Not permanently," Reginald lied. "It's only practical. The board is concerned. Your memory loss"
"I'm fine."
"Are you?" Reginald's eyes gleamed. "You don't remember key vendors. You forgot your own assistant's name last week. Your leadership is... compromised."
Lucien stood, slamming his hand on the table. "Careful, Uncle. If you want to challenge me, do it openly. Don't hide behind concern."
Reginald's calm smile didn't budge.
"Of course, Lucien. But the board is considering a vote. It's in the bylaws. If enough members agree, you can be temporarily replaced. Legally."
Lucien's jaw clenched. He scanned the room.
Half the members averted their gaze. The other half wore apologetic expressions.
They were already siding with Reginald.
He'd been planning this.
Later that day…
Lucien stood alone in his office, staring out the window.
First, the woman I can't remember haunts my every thought. Then, a painting of our wedding appears. And now, my uncle is trying to remove me.
His world was unraveling.
A soft knock.
He turned.
It was Ava.
Her face was pale. "I heard about the meeting…"
Lucien's voice was tight. "They're coming after everything I built."
A pause.
"Maybe that's why someone's trying to show you the truth," she said gently. "The painting… your past… me."
He stepped closer. "You keep speaking like you know me better than I know myself."
"I do," she whispered, eyes misting.
Lucien's throat tightened.
He wanted to believe her.But everything around him was lies and shadows.
And he was still standing in the dark.