Nova hurriedly ran to Steve's side, her movements filled with urgency and concern. Gently supporting him, she asked, "Steve, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" Her voice trembled slightly as she carefully examined Steve's injuries, taking care to avoid the areas that were obviously in pain.

Steve managed a faint smile, though it was clear he was in considerable discomfort. "I'm fine, don't worry about me," he said, trying to sound casual. Yet, the pained expression on his face betrayed his true feelings.

Nova's eyes filled with worry and frustration. "Why did you have to resort to violence when it could have been settled with words? Do you have any idea how terrified I was just now?" She chastised Steve, her voice breaking. "You ignored me when I told you to stop!"

Steve's face softened with regret. "I'm sorry. I got too worked up and didn't pay attention. It's all my fault," he said, his voice soothing as he gently patted Nova's back to comfort her. "I'm really fine, so please don't cry. If you keep crying, it's going to break my heart."

Despite his words, Nova couldn't control her tears. In her frustration, she raised her hand, wanting to hit Steve, but she hesitated, worried that she might hurt him further, so she lowered her hand.

"Ugh—"Steve winced in pain, which caused Nova to stop crying immediately. "Did I accidentally touch one of your injuries? I'm so sorry, I should have been more careful," she said anxiously, her eyes wide with concern.

Steve did not directly answer Nova's question. "Your crying is much harder for me to bear than my injuries. Darling, please stop crying," he pleaded softly.

Nova nodded, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She carefully helped Steve adjust his clothes, trying to make him look less disheveled. "Let's get home quickly. You need to have your wounds treated."

Meanwhile, Liam stood silently to the side, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms, but he didn't even notice the pain. His entire focus was on Nova.

Liam observed every expression Evelyn gave to Steve and listened to every tender word she spoke, each one piercing his heart like a dagger. Once, Evelyn had spoken to him with such affection, but now her attention was entirely on Steve.

He had sacrificed so much just to see Evelyn again. Before this moment, he had envisioned countless scenarios of their reunion: he would reveal the truth about her father's death, hoping for reconciliation. But he never imagined finding Evelyn in the arms of someone else—someone who turned out to be his long-lost brother!

Liam struggled to believe that Steve was unaware of Evelyn's connection to him. Steve, a well-known billionaire, was always under media scrutiny. Surely, something as significant as his engagement to Evelyn would be widely known. 

The only possible explanation was that Steve had intentionally hidden Evelyn away and made her fall in love with him. How despicable and shameless! Steve could have anything he desired, but why did he have to take away Liam's one true love?

Liam bowed his head, trying to suppress the waves of disappointment and anger that threatened to overwhelm him. He knew that maintaining his aggressive stance would only drive Evelyn further away. He needed a chance to speak with her calmly, to seize this final opportunity, despite the increasingly difficult situation.

"Evelyn... no, Nova," Liam's voice was rough, tinged with a hint of desperation. "I know it might be inappropriate to ask this right now, but could I request a moment of your time to talk alone? Just once. I promise I won't intrude on your life again."

Steve's attention was instantly drawn, and he instinctively moved to shield Nova, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Liam. Nova gently patted Steve's arm, signaling him to relax.

Nova regarded Liam thoughtfully. She could sense the pain and pleading in his eyes. Even though she had no memory of the past, she couldn't bring herself to outright refuse him. She was torn inside; she didn't want to hurt Steve, but she also felt she owed Liam an explanation.

To Liam, Nova's silence seemed to stretch into eternity.

Finally, Nova nodded in agreement. "Alright, Liam. We can meet and talk sometime. But please understand that this won't change anything. I am Nova now, not Evelyn. I am happy being with Steve."

A look of relief washed over Liam's face, and a flicker of hope appeared in his eyes. "Thank you, Nova. I just want to have a proper conversation with you, nothing more."

Steve's brow furrowed in clear dissatisfaction with this decision. He opened his mouth to speak but was met with Nova's reassuring squeeze of his hand and her comforting gaze. With a heavy sigh, Steve refrained from opposing her decision, though his eyes remained vigilant, focused on Liam.

"Let's arrange a time to meet another day," Nova said. "I'll send you a message. For now, we need to go. Steve needs to attend to his injuries."

Liam nodded, trying to mask his disappointment. "I understand. Thank you again for giving me this opportunity, Nova."

Nova and Steve turned to leave, and Liam remained standing, watching them walk away. His emotions were tangled as he saw Nova nestled close to Steve.

Liam stood there until their car disappeared from view. The street was empty, the setting sun casting long shadows that accentuated his sense of isolation.

"Steve, are you really okay? Should we go to the hospital?" Nova asked softly, her concern evident as she continued to support him carefully.

Steve shook his head and forced a reassuring smile. "No need for that, darling. Just get us home, and I'll take care of it myself."

Nova frowned but chose not to press the issue further, understanding Steve's reluctance to show weakness.

They walked slowly to the parking lot, with Nova insisting on driving. Steve did not object and took the passenger seat.

Throughout the drive, Nova periodically glanced at Steve, her heart aching with every passing moment.

Once they arrived home, Nova immediately helped Steve inside and settled him on the sofa.

"Don't move; I'll go get the first aid kit," she said.

When she returned, Steve had already removed his shirt. Nova gasped at the sight of the bruises and scrapes on his body.

"Oh my God, Steve..." Nova whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

Steve reached out to gently wipe away Nova's tears. "Don't cry, darling. I'm really fine."

"I'm sorry, Steve," Nova said softly as she applied ointment to his injuries. "If it weren't for me..."

Steve interrupted her with a gentle tone. "Hey, don't say that. This isn't your fault. It was a confrontation between two men, and it has nothing to do with you." He cupped Nova's face tenderly, pressing a kiss to her tear-streaked eyes. "Your tears hurt me more than any physical pain ever could."

After a while, Nova spoke to Steve with a determined tone. "Regarding Liam, I need to see him to bring closure to this chapter. From now on, I am only Nova, Steve's girlfriend. There is no more Evelyn."

"Darling, you don't need to explain anything to me. I respect all your decisions. I know you love me, and nothing can ever separate two hearts that are truly in love."

Liam returned to his hotel room, feeling utterly defeated as he collapsed onto the bed. 

He replayed the brief conversation with Nova and her promise to meet him. A complex mix of hope and anxiety churned within him. When he had called out to Evelyn, she had not responded or turned around. Normally, someone would react to hearing their name, but Evelyn's reaction seemed so natural, it felt almost as though she wasn't familiar with the name at all. It was as if she didn't recognize him at all. Evelyn wouldn't pretend not to know him; it wasn't in her character. And the way she looked at him was as if she were seeing a stranger.

Moreover, she identified herself as Nova, and Steve also called her that. So, it's highly likely that Evelyn had amnesia and had forgotten everything from her past. Evelyn had mysteriously disappeared after the car accident, and Miranda now possessed Evelyn's memories. Perhaps Evelyn had made a deal with 13D to exchange her memories for escape, which would explain the current situation.

Liam's heart ached as he pondered this. Evelyn, I would rather you hate me than forget me. Because love leads to hatred, and that way, I can tell myself you once loved me. But you chose to forget me, which is a form of revenge worse than hatred.

Steve had always been dedicated to finding Evelyn, exhausting himself in the search, but tonight Liam could not sleep. He tossed and turned restlessly. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Nova snuggled up to Steve, which only intensified his heartache.

He took out his phone and opened the photo album, filled with pictures of Liam and Evelyn, including candid shots of Evelyn from their time together. Liam traced Evelyn's face with his finger as if trying to caress her.

After a while, Liam opened his contacts and stared at Evelyn's profile. After some hesitation, he changed her name to Nova.

Liam suddenly jolted awake, his heart pounding from a series of nightmarish visions involving Nova. In the disturbing dream, he was supposed to marry Nova, but his car had broken down, preventing him from reaching the wedding venue. Desperate, he ran as fast as he could, only to arrive and discover that Steve had taken his place as the groom. To his horror, Nova then stabbed him in the abdomen with a dinner knife, declaring that the groom was Steve, not him.

As Liam slowly gathered himself and came to terms with the dream's haunting aftermath, he picked up his phone and saw that there were no new messages. The pre-dawn hours stretched ahead, and the dark silence of the early morning offered no solace. Sleep eluded him, and the anticipation of the upcoming day left him restless.

With the first light of dawn, Liam prepared himself meticulously. He took a long, refreshing shower, applied a generous spritz of cologne, and carefully groomed his beard, aiming to present his best self when he saw Nova again. Throughout this time, he was incessantly checking his phone, each glance fueled by a gnawing anxiety. Despite having set the ringtone to its highest volume, he couldn't shake the fear of missing any potential messages or calls from her.

Unable to keep still, Liam paced back and forth in his room, occasionally moving to the window to watch the street below, hoping to catch sight of Nova. He attempted to distract himself by watching the news, but his focus kept drifting back to thoughts of Nova. He pulled out his phone, staring at Nova's contact number, his finger hovering over the dial button, but he ultimately refrained from calling. "Be patient," he reminded himself, "Give her time. She is someone who always keeps her promises."

The next day, Liam rose early, driven by a growing anxiety as he eagerly checked his phone, desperate not to miss any message from Nova. However, as the hours passed, there was still no sign of communication from her.

The day dragged on, each minute feeling like an eternity. When he awoke the following morning with no new messages, his anxiety intensified. Doubts crept in—would Nova actually contact him? Perhaps she was simply busy, he told himself, trying to remain optimistic.

Summoning his courage, Liam sent a brief message to Nova: "Hi, Nova. I hope I'm not disturbing you. I just wanted to confirm if our meeting scheduled for tomorrow is still on?"

After sending the message, Liam stared nervously at his phone, waiting for a response. As evening fell, there was still no reply.

Liam's spirits sank. He began to regret his impulsiveness, wondering if the argument with Steve had left a negative impression on Nova or if Steve was somehow preventing Nova from seeing him. He feared that he might have squandered his last chance to see her, that Nova might not want to meet him again.

Just then, his phone vibrated unexpectedly. He quickly picked it up and saw a message from Nova: "Sorry for the late reply. Can we meet tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Café Corner in the city center?"

Liam's heart raced with relief and excitement. His fingers trembled slightly as he responded: "Of course. Thank you very much. I'll be there on time."

After setting his phone down, Liam exhaled deeply, his tense nerves finally beginning to relax. Yet, a new wave of anxiety emerged: What should he say during their conversation tomorrow? How could he make Nova remember their past? What if she insisted on staying with Steve?

That night, Liam lay awake again, mentally rehearsing various dialogues for the next day. He wanted to be prepared for every possible outcome.

The next morning, Liam rose early, meticulously dressing in the shirt Evelyn had always admired, hoping that it might evoke some memories for her.

Although it was still quite early, Liam found it impossible to stay still. He arrived at the café well before the scheduled time, choosing a seat that provided a clear view of the entrance.

As he sat there, he felt a sense of disorientation, as if he had been transported back to the days when he and Evelyn used to date. A voice calling his name brought him back to reality. "Sorry, what did you just say?"

"May I get you anything?" the server asked.

"One large Americano and a medium latte, please. Thank you."

A short while later, the server returned with the two cups of coffee. "Enjoy your drinks."

"Thank you," Liam replied, taking the cups from the server.

The coffee tasted more bitter than he remembered, and Liam wondered if Evelyn's taste had changed. No, she's now called Nova; I've forgotten.

At 2:30 p.m., Liam's gaze shifted constantly between the door and his watch, anxious that Nova might arrive early.

His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions—anticipation, nervousness, hope, fear... All these feelings swirled together, leaving him feeling unusually tense.

At 3:20 p.m., unable to wait any longer, Liam sent a text to Nova, questioning whether she was delayed or if she might be standing him up.

Just as he hesitated over sending the message, a blur in his vision caught his attention. He looked up to see Nova standing directly in front of him.

"Sorry I'm late. There was a traffic jam due to an accident. Did you wait long?" she apologized.

"It's alright, I just arrived a little while ago. Here's the latte I ordered for you. I wasn't sure if you still liked it."

Nova took a sip of the latte. "Thank you, the latte is good, but my taste has changed. People's preferences do evolve." Her words carried a deeper significance.

"What do you like to drink now? I can order another one for you. Or is there something you'd like to eat?"

"No, thank you." Nova declined Liam's offer.

"I'm sorry for frightening you with the argument with Steve. I'm not usually like that. I was a bit emotional when we first met. I truly apologize."

"It's alright. After all, Steve was the one who started the fight. Both of you were out of control. Steve isn't usually that irritable."

Suddenly, a heavy silence settled between them. The carefully prepared words Liam had intended to say seemed to lose their significance. The truth of love—or the lack thereof—could be seen in the eyes. When faced with someone who doesn't love you, no amount of eloquence can change their feelings.

"I have amnesia," Nova finally broke the silence.

"I know. Your personality wouldn't fake not recognizing me. I believe what you say."

"I've fallen in love with Steve. I know you and Evelyn were very much in love, but I am Nova now, and I choose to be Nova. Do you understand?"

"I respect your choice." The coffee, which tasted so bitter today, almost brought him to tears, Liam thought.

"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" Nova asked.

"I initially wanted to talk about Evelyn. But as you said, Nova and Evelyn are different people, so I don't have much else to say."

"About Steve hitting you. I apologize on his behalf. Can you forgive him?"

"Of course." Liam forced a smile, though he knew it must look awkward.

Noticing Nova checking the time, Liam realized she might have another appointment.

"I have other commitments..." Liam said, reluctant to impose on her.

"I also have an appointment with Steve later. I'll go settle the bill." Nova stood up, grabbing her bag.

"I've already paid. If you're in a hurry, you can leave first," Liam said.

As Nova prepared to leave, Liam called out, "Wait a moment. Could you please not delete my contact information? I mean, if you ever need any help, you can always call me."

Nova hesitated briefly before replying, "I won't delete it. Thank you. And thank you for the coffee."

These were the last words Evelyn ever said to Liam.

In the end, Liam lost Evelyn forever.