Kay kept looking at the photo.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
He felt like he should know her.
Like she was important.
Very important.
But he felt nothing.
"Why can't I remember?" he whispered.
He moved closer.
His hand almost touched the photo.
But he stopped.
The woman looked kind.
Like someone who cared about him.
But to Kay…
She was a stranger.
Suddenly, pain hit his head.
Strong.
Sharp.
Small pieces of memories tried to come back.
Voices.
Feelings.
Moments.
But they broke before he could see them.
"Memory removed successfully."
Kay stepped back.
"No…"
His voice was shaking.
"What did you take from me?"
The chip started glowing again.
Brighter than before.
Kay grabbed it.
"I didn't agree to this," he said.
But deep inside…
He knew he did.
The screen turned on.
And she appeared again.
Clearer now.
Closer.
More real.
"You felt it… didn't you?" she said.
Her voice was soft.
But sad.
Kay looked at her.
"What did I lose?"
She looked down.
She didn't want to answer.
"You chose this," she said slowly.
"You always choose this."
"That's not what I asked."
She looked at him again.
Tears in her eyes.
"You gave a memory… to come closer to me," she said.
"And if you keep going…"
She stepped closer.
"…you will lose everything."
Kay's heart started beating faster.
"Everything?"
She nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"Even myself?"
She stayed silent.
That was the answer.
Kay laughed a little.
But it was empty.
"Then why would I do this?"
Her face broke.
Like she was about to cry.
"Because…" she said softly,
"…you already did it once."
Silence.
"You loved me so much…" she continued,
"…you were ready to lose yourself."
Kay didn't move.
Her words felt heavy.
Too heavy.
He looked at the chip.
Then at her.
"Tell me the truth," he said.
She came closer.
Very close.
"You didn't just sell me," she said.
She paused.
"You were trying to protect me."
Kay frowned.
"From what?"
She froze.
Fear appeared on her face.
Suddenly—
"Unknown memory detected."
"Error… Error…"
The screen started glitching.
Her face broke into pieces.
She screamed:
"KAY, DON'T LET THEM—"
Everything went black.
Silence.
Then one last message appeared:
"Next memory will cost more."