Chapter 248

William sighed, feeling defeated.

Amelia finally let him off the hook and had him carried into the car. She waved goodbye and said, "You know, even though I insisted we talk, feelings are pretty subjective. You either like someone or you don't. There's no strict standard. I've never liked anyone before, never been in a relationship, so I don't really know how to like you. But don't worry, I'll definitely like you a lot and treat you very well. Take your time to think it over, since I'm not really a tyrant."

Amelia tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "And besides, the few times I kissed you, you didn't resist at all. Your heartbeat even sped up. I think you must have some feelings for me. What do you say?"

William was speechless. "You've said everything there is to say, what else is left for me?"

After speaking, Amelia turned and walked back to her house without a second glance, showing no sign of reluctance.

William looked at her through the car window, gazing for a long time before letting out a deep sigh. He murmured, "Do you really like me? I haven't agreed because I think you might not fully understand what it means to like someone. I'm afraid you'll regret it."

He touched his swollen lips, unable to suppress a wry smile.

The next day, Jonah and the others were bombarded with calls from their families, urging them to return. They couldn't stay any longer and had to take their leave.

Amelia, however, still had many unresolved matters in Silverlight City. She sent Aurora and the others back, deciding to stay in Maple Town for a few more days to handle everything before leaving.

As soon as she saw them off, a new issue arose.

Lilly came running over. "Amelia, Aaron's almost fully recovered. Today he went up the mountain alone with a shovel again."

"Let him dig if he wants. They're blood brothers, after all. It's best for us outsiders not to get involved."

Despite her words, Amelia still went up the mountain to find Aaron.

Aaron was diligently refilling the small grave mound he had nearly flattened a few days ago with his shovel.

Hearing movement, he looked up and met Amelia's eyes.

"What are you doing? Didn't you insist on moving Arian's grave a few days ago? What's this about? Changed your mind?"

Amelia frowned, puzzled by his erratic behavior.

"This place meant a lot to Arian. He spent most of his life in Maple Town; it's special to him. I think it's better to leave his grave here."

He awkwardly rubbed his nose, smearing some dirt from the shovel on it, looking a bit sheepish.

Amelia didn't make any sarcastic remarks. Instead, she joined him in rebuilding the grave.

"I've been curious about something and want to ask you."

Amelia, tired from the work, squatted down and asked with genuine curiosity.

Aaron tensed up; he dreaded Amelia's questions, which were often too sharp and left him at a loss for words, even making him feel suffocated.

His heart raced, but Amelia's question this time wasn't as tricky.

"Tell me, what did it feel like when you lost your memory and forgot so many things?"

Amelia rested her chin on her hand, eyes full of curiosity. "What feedback did your brain give you? And after your altered memories came back, how did you feel? How can you be sure your current memories are accurate? What if we had a psychologist alter them again?"

Aaron paused his digging, feeling a chill run down his spine and his scalp tingle.

He stood up and walked over to Amelia. "You know, I'm not very resilient and tend to be paranoid. What you just said could easily make me doubt myself and throw my mind into chaos. That's not right."

Aaron's memories had only recently resurfaced and were still settling. Amelia's words genuinely made him question his memories, taking him a while to shake off the unsettling thoughts.

"Honestly, I don't know for sure. But many tiny, detailed images float in my mind. Even if memories can be altered, it's impossible to change so many details. When these memories resurface, my brain instinctively reacts, making me want to avoid them, making me scared, making me feel like smashing my head against a wall."

Aaron recalled the feelings, taking a deep breath. "I should really thank you. If I couldn't handle it now, I certainly couldn't have handled it back then. Thank you for carrying that burden and not revealing the truth immediately. Otherwise, I might not have survived. I might have died with Arian, unable to accept that I was responsible for his death."

Aaron smiled, a survivor's smile. "In a way, I'm glad. Glad he died for me, not you. Glad he chose me over you."

Amelia was stunned.

What a shameless thing to say!

Amelia propped her face in her hands, still marveling, "The human body is incredibly complex, especially the brain. To avoid facing reality, it can even alter its own memories. It shows how selfish and self-serving people can be."

Aaron stiffened for a moment but said nothing. He lowered his head and continued to rebuild Arian's grave.