A Few Days Later.

Nova waited until her colleagues had left before quietly slipping into the underground parking lot, as she usually did. Steve's car was parked in the usual corner.

"You seem to be in a good mood," Nova said with a hint of a smile as she opened the car door and got inside.

"What makes you think so?" Steve replied, smiling as he turned down the music's volume.

"Usually, you're busy reading documents while waiting for me, but today you're listening to music. I'm guessing you've solved the company's market share issue."

"That's right," Steve nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. "Not only that, but we've also developed a new product that's selling well. At this rate, the company's profits might not just hold steady this quarter; they might even increase. Plus, there's another reason to celebrate."

"And what's that?" Nova asked curiously.

"Think about it," Steve teased, clearly not planning to tell her directly.

Nova thought for a moment. "Is it because it's Friday?"

Steve looked puzzled. "Why would Friday be worth celebrating?"

"Friday marks the end of the workweek, which means we have two days off."

"That makes some sense, but no." Steve shook his head.

"Did you secure a new partnership with another company?" Nova guessed.

"Nope." Steve shook his head again.

Nova thought hard, then finally sighed in defeat. "I give up. Just tell me."

"Today marks one month since we met. We first met on the streets of Chicago a month ago."

Nova paused, then suddenly realized, "Oh, right, it is." She softly agreed, feeling a wave of emotions. An anniversary of meeting—it seemed more like something couples would celebrate. The thought made her blush.

She lowered her head, silently asking herself: What exactly is her relationship with Steve now? Their interactions were far beyond the typical boss and employee, even closer than friends. If she never regained her memory, would she continue this way with Steve? And what if Steve found a girlfriend one day...?

A whirlwind of emotions overwhelmed Nova, leaving her unsure of how to handle these complex feelings.

"Nova, Nova." Steve's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Sorry, what did you just say?" Nova looked up, a bit dazed.

"I said we're here. You seemed lost in thought and didn't get out of the car. I called you several times, but you didn't respond. What were you thinking about?" Steve asked with concern.

"Ah, nothing," Nova replied, flustered, as her heart raced seeing Steve's close-up face. She tried to calm herself down.

"Uh... I was just thinking about..." She suddenly noticed the fountain at the entrance and had a flash of inspiration. "I was thinking about learning how to swim since you have a pool."

"Great idea. I can be your coach."

After changing into her swimsuit, Nova grabbed a yellow duck-patterned float and headed to the pool. The sun shone on the clear water, making the pool sparkle like countless gems.

Nova jumped in; the water temperature was perfect. She lay her head and arms on the float, letting her body naturally hang in the water, feeling the buoyancy. She closed her eyes comfortably, like a cat basking in the sun.

Steve approached, wearing black swim trunks. His tall, muscular figure looked even more imposing in the sunlight, a stark contrast to his usual suited appearance.

He exuded a magnetic charm, his muscles glistening in the light. He was like a godsend, Nova thought.

Steve entered the pool, causing gentle ripples on the water's surface. "The first step in learning to swim is floating. Let's start by getting off the float and floating independently. I'll demonstrate," he said, showing a perfect floating posture with fluid grace.

After Steve's demonstration, he began guiding Nova. "First, relax your body completely and feel the water's buoyancy."

Nova mimicked Steve's posture, extending her arms naturally. She felt the water gently supporting her body.

"Remember, relaxation is key. Don't tense up; stay natural." Steve spoke gently, placing his hands on her waist and back to help her adjust her posture.

Nova tried to float on her own, but her body quickly tilted, and she found her feet touching the pool's bottom. "Why am I sinking?"

"It's normal to feel that way at first. Just try to relax and not be tense. Your body will naturally float on the water." Steve continued to guide, his hands lightly supporting her back to keep her balanced.

Nova tried to relax, feeling the water's buoyancy lifting her body. Gradually, she steadied herself and smiled at Steve. "I feel much better. I did it!"

"Yes, you did." Steve smiled back.

Their eyes met briefly, and Nova felt a jolt of excitement. Her heart raced, and she quickly looked away. "I want to try again."

After a few more attempts, Nova was able to float more comfortably on the water. She felt more confident, though it still took her a while to float steadily, but her progress made her happy.

"Good job. You're doing great," Steve praised. "Next, we'll practice some basic swimming strokes."

Steve began teaching Nova how to move her arms. He demonstrated and explained, "For breaststroke, you extend your arms forward, then sweep them outwards, and finally bring them back together. Your legs need to kick."

Nova watched intently, trying to memorize every detail. She tried to mimic his movements, but her arms and legs felt stiff.

Steve moved closer, gently holding her legs to help her adjust. "The kicking motion should be smooth and natural, not too forceful. Try to feel the water's resistance and kick with rhythm."

"Got it, I understand," Nova nodded, gradually relaxing and starting to get the hang of swimming.

"Very good," Steve nodded approvingly. "Next, we'll practice breathing techniques. Proper breathing is crucial in swimming."

Under Steve's patient guidance, Nova diligently practiced each movement. Even though she occasionally swallowed water due to uncoordinated actions, she didn't get discouraged. Steve's encouragement and meticulous coaching reassured her, making their interactions increasingly natural.

Steve was a patient teacher, and Nova was a determined student. As they practiced, she gradually mastered the basic swimming techniques. Although her form wasn't perfect, she could swim comfortably in the water.

At this moment, Steve's phone rang. He glanced apologetically at Nova and left the pool to take the call.

Nova felt a newfound confidence. She decided to challenge herself by swimming towards the deep end. As the water got deeper, her heart rate quickened.

Suddenly, she felt a wave of discomfort. Nova tried to stay calm, but then she suddenly choked on water. She gasped for air, but more water flooded into her mouth and nose. Her vision blurred, and all she could hear was the sound of water and her heartbeat. She started to panic and struggle, losing control of her body.

Just as Nova felt she was about to lose consciousness, strong arms wrapped around her waist. Steve arrived just in time, swiftly and steadily lifting her out of the water, keeping her head above the surface.

"Nova, breathe, take deep breaths!" Steve's voice was tense and urgent, filled with concern.

Nova gasped, finally getting a breath of fresh air. She coughed and spluttered, expelling the water she had inhaled. She felt herself being held tightly, feeling the strength of Steve's arms around her.

Steve quickly brought Nova to the poolside, her legs too weak to support her. She felt a tightness in her chest, a mix of regret and gratitude towards Steve.

"Are you okay?" Steve asked softly, his voice full of concern. He gently rubbed her back, trying to comfort her.

"Thank you, Steve. That was really scary," Nova said, her voice trembling.

Steve frowned, his tone carrying a hint of reproach but mostly concern. "You shouldn't have gone to the deep end alone, especially when you're not fully confident."

"I know, I was too reckless," Nova admitted, her voice filled with remorse.

Steve sighed, his expression softening. He gently lifted her chin, making her look into his eyes. "Please don't do anything dangerous like that again, okay? I don't want to see you in danger." Seeing her struggling in the water moments ago had nearly stopped his heart.

A warm feeling spread through Nova's heart. She nodded, touched by Steve's care and protectiveness. She smiled slightly. "I promise I won't do that again."

"Let's take a break," Steve suggested. He walked to the poolside table and picked up two iced drinks, handing one to her.

They sat quietly, calming their nerves and enjoying the peaceful moment. The setting sun cast a golden glow over the water, making the whole world seem to stand still for a moment.

As the sky darkened, Nova stood up.

"It's time to go."

However, as she was about to leave, she suddenly felt dizzy. She slipped and fell heavily onto the poolside.

Steve realized what had happened, but it was too late to stop it. Nova's head hit the hard tiles at the edge of the pool with a sickening thud. Instantly, bright red blood began to flow from her forehead, staining the ground by the pool.

"Nova!" Steve's voice was filled with terror and urgency. He quickly rushed to her side, his hands trembling as he cradled her head, his heart gripped with fear and helplessness. Nova's face was pale, her eyes closed, and she was unresponsive.

A cold chill ran down Steve's spine, and his mind went blank, with only one thought remaining—he had to get her to the hospital immediately.

Without hesitation, he pressed his hand against her wound, trying to stop the bleeding. His hands were covered in blood, and a wave of unprecedented fear swept over him.

"Hang on, Nova!" Steve's voice trembled as he dialed for an ambulance. Every second felt like an eternity as he waited. He held Nova's hand tightly, talking to her continuously, hoping for any response.

The ambulance finally arrived, and the paramedics quickly lifted Nova onto a stretcher. Steve jumped into the ambulance, holding Nova's hand the entire time, his eyes filled with worry and fear.

Upon arriving at the hospital, Nova was rushed into the emergency room. Steve was told to wait outside, and he paced anxiously up and down the hallway.

Time seemed to stand still, each second stretching endlessly. Steve was overwhelmed with sorrow and guilt, blaming himself for not protecting Nova, for not noticing her distress sooner. If only he had reacted a little faster, perhaps he could have prevented this accident. The thought of Nova collapsing by the poolside filled him with a sharp, painful ache in his heart.

Dear readers, the content following this chapter will branch out into different paths.

Your reading experience will depend on which male lead you prefer: Liam or Steve.

Each storyline will take you into a unique emotional journey and life trajectory. I hope you enjoy this diverse reading experience.

By choosing to read either Liam's or Steve's storyline, you'll fully experience the female protagonist's emotional journey and life changes through both choices.

The main storyline contains events that the protagonist must go through and does not involve any branching; it is a must-read.

Please refer to the chapter titles to find the corresponding storyline and embark on the exciting conclusion with either Liam or Steve!