Brendan glanced at Deirdre and noticed the strain in her smile, sensing the deep sadness she carried within. He turned his head away, unable to meet her gaze directly.

"If what you say is true, then the memories I've lost aren't necessarily painful. It's just that I've forgotten what I never wanted to forget the most."

Deirdre lifted her head in surprise, her eyes searching his face for answers.

Brendan deliberately avoided her gaze, his actions betraying his true feelings.

He couldn't deny