Izabella remembered the candy apples she had when she was seven or eight, while Casey remembered Cry Baby resting on his back, munching on the candy apple and saying,
"They said on TV that when someone saves your life, you should promise to marry them. If I can't find a husband, will you marry me?"
He found it amusing. What kind of shows was this kid watching all the time?
"You can't even find your way home. Do you understand what it means to get married?"
Izabella's tiny hand gently circled his neck as she softly said, "You're the first person to ever buy me candy. No one else has been so kind to me. They say on TV that you should marry someone who treats you well."
"I'll think about it."
"Then it's settled. When I grow up, I'll find you and marry you!"
He carried Izabella on his back that summer. It wasn't too hot. The wind was comforting, a memory to last a lifetime.
He didn't verbally agree, but he had already accepted it in his heart. He wanted to wait till Cry Baby grew up. If she still remembered him and didn't despise him for being a servant's son, he'd take care of her forever.
But he forgot about her. Twice.
How could he forget? She was the one who had been on his mind since they were children.
During the sixteen years when he lost his memory, Izabella married Brett. She was abused, and finally died at the age of 27 on Christmas Day, burned alive.
He knew how much Izabella feared pain and how easily she cried. A simple fall in a playground would make her cry silently for a long time. It took him a while to console her and stop her tears.
The grown-up Izabella must have been in unbearable pain waiting for death in the fire, crying with no one to soothe her, her tears drying on her face in the heat.
Her way of calling him was etched into his memory, regardless of how many times he lost his memory. Every time he saw her, he was attracted to her.
Casey's heart ached. He had vowed to protect her, but he forgot her and let her get hurt time and time again.
Seeing her taken away by Brett, watching the tortures she went through, watching her collapse and cough up blood, Casey buried his face in his hands, hiding his tears from everyone.
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