Just as Sennia was about to walk away, she suddenly turned around with eyes blazing with anger.
"Why do I always have to run into Uncle Evan?!" she hissed, her voice low but full of restrained fury.
Evan was silent. That tone—so full of hatred. No respect, no warmth. Only anger, bottled up for years.
Sennia had always hated him. Ever since her father's company was taken over, ever since Hendra—her father—died under immense pressure.
In Sennia's eyes, Evan was the murderer.
But Evan refused to drown in guilt or the storm of emotions within him. Instead, he asked,
"Why are you working in catering?"
Sennia sneered. "Why? Doesn't suit me? You thought I was still a little princess living comfortably?"
Evan looked at her deeply. "I'm just surprised. Didn't your family still have enough assets after—"
"Assets?" Sennia cut him off with a bitter laugh. "Enough? You think after everything that happened, there was anything left for me?"
Evan wanted to press further, but before he could speak again, a loud voice interrupted them.
"Sennia! Do your job properly!"
Evan turned toward the voice and instantly recognized the woman standing at the kitchen entrance.
Laras.
She looked exactly as he remembered—sharp gaze, cold demeanor, and a stern aura that surrounded her. The woman who had become Sennia's guardian after Hendra passed.
And if Laras was here, did that mean...
Evan turned back to Sennia, but she had already looked away, clutching the tray in her hands tightly before briskly walking back to the kitchen, ignoring Evan completely.
He couldn't move. His mind was swirling with questions.
What exactly had happened to them all this time?
And why was Sennia living like this… under Laras' control?
—
Evan stood frozen, realization dawning on him—
In this world, reshaped by his curse, Sennia was the only one who still remembered him clearly.
The only one untouched by the shifts in time.
The girl still carried her resentment. Still saw him as the man who took everything from Hendra.
"Sennia, wait!" Evan rushed after her, but she only glanced back, flustered.
"I have to work, Uncle! Aunt Laras will be mad," she replied quickly, then walked away toward the kitchen.
"Do you still have my business card?" Evan asked hastily before she vanished.
Sennia paused for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Contact me." Evan reached into his pocket but couldn't find a business card. Of course—not in this altered world.
"I need your number. I need…"
Sennia hesitated briefly, then without saying a word, disappeared behind the kitchen door.
Evan stood helpless, watching her walk away.
Sennia still held a grudge.
But maybe… she was the only one who could help him understand what had really happened.
—
Or maybe… Sennia was the key to breaking this curse.
Evan clenched his jaw. If everyone else had forgotten him—if the world had adapted with every reset at the age of 25—why did Sennia still remember?
Did that mean she, too, was trapped in something similar?
Or… was she the only one who could lead him out of this time loop?
Evan balled his fists.
This wasn't a coincidence.
If Sennia still remembered, then there was a crack in the curse.
There was a way out.
And he had to find it.
—
Evan was still rooted to the spot, mind clouded with questions about Sennia and the curse binding him—when his father's voice broke his thoughts.
"Van, I know you like women. But not underage girls, especially not Hendra's daughter."
Evan turned to find his father watching him with a sharp, warning look.
He wanted to protest, to explain this wasn't about attraction—it was about something much bigger.
But what could he say?
That he was cursed? That time kept resetting every year on his birthday? That only Sennia remembered him?
Before he could answer, someone's hand slipped around his arm.
"Why didn't you come pick me up?"
The voice was coy, teasing—and somehow, threatening.
Evan turned, and his body tensed instantly.
A woman with a knowing smile gazed at him. Her face was beautiful, but her eyes calculated. The dress she wore accentuated her curves, clearly chosen to attract attention.
Evan's father frowned. "Who is this, Van?"
Evan swallowed hard, his mind scrambling. Who was this woman? Why was she acting like they were a couple?
From the corner of his eye, Evan noticed Sennia watching them from afar, her expression laced with scorn and resentment. Meanwhile, his father was still waiting for an answer.
Evan took a deep breath.
What else in his life had changed this time?
—
Evan stared at the woman, his brain scrambling to recall.
Who was she? Why was she acting like they were together?
The woman smiled flirtatiously and gently pinched his arm with her manicured fingers.
"Why so quiet, babe?"
His father was still beside him, looking increasingly displeased.
"Van, who is she?"
Finally, Evan found his voice. "Uh… sorry, who are you?"
The woman blinked, then let out a soft laugh, as if Evan was joking.
"Oh, come on, babe. Don't play games. How could you forget Vanessa?"
Vanessa.
The name meant nothing to him.
But the way she clung to him, the way she called him "babe"—it gave Evan a bad feeling.
In the distance, Sennia scoffed and rolled her eyes. Clearly, Vanessa wasn't a stranger to her.
His father exhaled sharply and muttered,
"We'll talk later, Van."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Vanessa looped her arm around Evan's again, her voice sweet and seductive.
"Let's go home. We'll have some wine at your place, like usual."
Evan's pulse quickened. Like usual?
He shut his eyes for a second, trying to quiet the chaos in his head.
Clearly, Vanessa was part of this new life—part of a version of himself he didn't recognize.
But how much else had changed?
—
Evan took a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions.
If Vanessa was now part of his life, what other changes had he missed?
He gently removed Vanessa's hand from his arm.
"Sorry, I'm not in the mood to go home early tonight."
Vanessa pouted dramatically.
"Ugh, why are you being like this? You're usually the one dragging me out."
Evan noticed people around them starting to glance their way—including Ayla and Damar, still seated at their table.
Ayla didn't seem interested, but Damar raised an eyebrow slightly, as if trying to read the situation.
Sennia, though busy with work, clearly remained alert, subtly listening in.
Vanessa swayed closer, running a finger along Evan's chest.
"Don't play coy now."
Evan decided to end this.
"Nes, seriously. I can't right now. I want to talk with some friends first."
Vanessa narrowed her eyes.
"Oh, so now you're ignoring me? Is it because of that catering girl?"
Evan rolled his eyes.
"No. This has nothing to do with her."
"Whatever," Vanessa huffed, grabbing her clutch.
"I'm leaving. Don't come crawling back if you regret it."
Without waiting for a reply, she strutted off, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
Evan let out a long sigh. This was getting more complicated by the minute.
As he turned, Damar was already beside him, holding two glasses of champagne.
"You… okay, Van?" he asked with a half-playful tone.
Evan gave a wry smile.
"I honestly don't know, Dam."
Damar offered one of the glasses.
"Maybe this'll help."
Evan took it, staring at the delicate bubbles rising inside.
But his thoughts were elsewhere—
How was it that Sennia still remembered him, while everyone else did not?
And if he wanted to find a way out of this curse…
Then maybe the girl who hated him the most
was his only hope.
—