Chapter 3: The intimate contact between Max and Sarah

[Max's Perspective]

"Very well. I accept your terms."

The words left my mouth before I could fully process them. Sarah's eyes widened slightly – those impossibly green eyes that seemed to pierce through every defense I'd built.

A delicate blush crept across her cheeks at my words, painting her pale skin with a rosy hue that made something in my chest constrict painfully. That particular shade of pink, the way it spread so naturally across her features... For a moment, the harsh hospital lighting seemed to soften, transforming into the warm glow of a summer afternoon from long ago.

[Memory Fragment]

"Max! Come look at this reaction!"

She bounced on her toes in the research facility's main lab, copper hair escaping from her messy ponytail. The oversized lab coat made her look even younger than fourteen, sleeves rolled up multiple times to free her hands.

"Another experiment?" I leaned against her workbench, still in my training gear. My muscles ached from the morning's exercises, but I never missed our afternoon meetings.

"Not just any experiment." She grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to her microscope. Her small fingers were warm against mine. "See how the molecules are binding? It's like they're dancing together!"

"I'll take your word for it." I tried to focus on whatever she was showing me, but found myself watching her instead. The way she bit her lower lip when concentrating, the slight furrow between her brows.

She rolled her eyes. "You military types, always so practical. There's beauty in science too, you know. Here, let me show you something else!"

"The only beauty I see is—" I caught myself.

She looked up, cheeks flushing. "Is what?"

"Nothing. Shouldn't you be studying?"

"I am studying! Did you know that certain chemical reactions can generate their own light? It's called chemiluminescence. Like fireflies, but we can create it in the lab!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious. Even after a grueling day of training, I found myself smiling. "Show me."

Her whole face lit up. She rushed to gather materials, nearly tripping over her too-long lab coat. I caught her elbow, steadying her.

"Careful, genius. The chemicals won't run away."

"But there's so much to learn! So many reactions to try!" She mixed solutions with practiced ease, despite her excitement. "Look, when I add this last compound..."

The solution began to glow with a soft blue light. She dimmed the lab lights, and the ethereal glow reflected in her eyes.

"Beautiful," I murmured, not looking at the experiment.

[Memory Fragment]

The day she left was different. The fall air was crisp, leaves crunching under our feet as we walked to our usual meeting spot behind the research building. The old swing set creaked gently in the breeze.

"Max!" She ran up, waving an envelope. "Look what came!"

"Cambridge?" My hands tightened on the swing's chains as I read the acceptance letter. "That's... in England."

"Yes!" She could barely contain her excitement. "Their chemistry program is incredible. The labs, the research opportunities – think of all I could learn there!"

"When do you leave?"

"End of summer." She hesitated, her smile faltering slightly. "I'll come back, Max. Once I've learned everything I can."

"Of course you will." I forced a smile, ignoring the hollow feeling in my chest. "The world's waiting for you."

She sat in the swing next to mine, twisted slightly to face me. "Promise you won't forget me?"

"How could I?" I reached over, tucking a strand of copper hair behind her ear. "You're unforgettable."

She caught my hand before I could pull away, holding it against her cheek.

Finally, she stood. "I should go pack. So much to prepare!"

She hugged me quickly, her small frame fitting perfectly against mine. I breathed in the familiar scent of her shampoo mixed with lab chemicals, trying to memorize everything about this moment.

"Goodbye, Max."

"Goodbye, little genius."

[Back to Reality]

The harsh fluorescent lighting of the medical center yanked me back to the present. Sarah sat before me, her chin lifted in that stubborn angle that seemed both foreign and achingly familiar. A faint blush colored her cheeks – the same shade as...

I pushed the thought away. This woman wasn't her. The background check had proven that conclusively. Just another gold-digger who'd had surgery to look like someone from my past. The fact that she'd lost her memories three years ago was too convenient to be coincidence.

"I'd like to shower," Sarah said softly, interrupting my thoughts. "If that's allowed?"

I nodded curtly, watching as she disappeared into the attached bathroom. The sound of running water filled the silence, and I found myself mechanically removing my clothes, folding each piece with military precision. The night air was cool against my skin as I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

This was what she wanted, wasn't it? A real marriage? I'd show her exactly what that meant.

My military training had taught me to despise weakness, to eliminate threats without hesitation. This woman represented everything I should hate - a liar, an impostor, a schemer who'd wormed her way into my family. And yet...

The bathroom door opened with a whisper of steam, and my body betrayed me. Sarah stepped out, wrapped in a towel that clung to every curve of her hourglass figure. Water droplets traced tantalizing paths down her long, graceful neck, disappearing between the swell of her breasts. Her damp hair darkened to the color of fresh blood, contrasting sharply with skin that looked like fine porcelain in the moonlight.

Despite my contempt, I couldn't tear my eyes away from her slender waist, the gentle flare of her hips, the endless expanse of her legs. The towel had ridden up just enough to reveal a hint of thigh that made my breath catch. She froze when she saw me, her eyes widening as they traced over my bare chest, down to where the sheets barely preserved my modesty. A becoming blush spread across her cheeks, down her neck, making those tempting freckles stand out even more.

The blush that spread across her cheeks traveled down her neck, disappearing beneath the towel. She took a step backward, but I was faster. My hand shot out, catching her wrist and pulling her toward the bed.

She landed with a soft gasp, the towel slipping to reveal one pale shoulder. Up close, her skin seemed to glow in the moonlight filtering through the windows. My hand moved of its own accord, brushing against the swell of her breast.

"Max, I... I can't..." Sarah's voice quickly turned into a moan because of my actions.

Her eyes fluttering closed as my lips found her neck. The towel fell away completely, revealing curves that put my memories to shame.

I rolled her beneath me, feeling her soft curves press against my hard planes. Her hand tentatively explored my chest before moving lower, wrapping around my length with surprising confidence. Our tongues met in a dance of dominance and submission, and I could feel how ready she was, how wet...

A familiar ringtone shattered the moment.

Isabella's custom ringtone – Chopin's Nocturne in E-flat major – cut through the heated atmosphere like a bucket of ice water. Reality crashed back with brutal force.

Isabella's ringtone broke through the haze of desire. I immediately pulled away from Sarah, quickly getting dressed.

"Max?" she whispered from the bed.

I didn't even glance at her naked form as I headed for the door. Isabella needed me - nothing else mattered.

"Max, darling," Isabella's sweet voice came through the phone. "Something terrible has happened. I need you here with me..."

"I'll be right there, baby."