THE PATHS CONNECTED

CHAPTER 7

Khalil's POV

N-No...it wasn't safe to use the machine. 
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I just couldn't take it anymore: the way Irvine looked at me, so utterly broken, so thoroughly betrayed. I had never meant to hurt her, but I did. 

Timothy offered the suggestion of using the memory-wiping machine, and while it hurt to admit it, I willingly accepted as well as Irvine. 

Perhaps this was the best thing to do. 

Perhaps if she wiped me from her memory, it would be much better for her in terms of a normal life. 

We stood before the machine in silence. 

"Are you sure?" I asked one last time, with my voice cracked a whisper. 

Irvine didn't bother with my gaze. She just gave a nod. 

"I don't want to remember anymore, Khalil. I want to make a fresh start—without you."

Her words cut deep, though I did deserve it. 

She lay on the cold metal chair as the machine powered up. I remained at her side, fists clenched. 

"Initiating memory reset," said the robotic voice. 

As the machine began to work, I saw, with a steady exhalation, Irvine's eyes slowly shut. 

Then, just like that, every memory about me was gone from her mind. 

But before I could even grasp what was happening, a single gunshot pierced the air. 

I turned just in time to see Irvine got shot, her blood sprayed across her chest. 

My heart just stopped. 

"Irvine!"

She fall  on the ground, unconscious. 

At the door was Clea, her gun still raised, her face twisted in a combination of rage and pain. 

"You ruined everything," she whispered as her hands shivered. 

I ran as fast as I could toward her. 

"IRVINE! WIFE,  PLEASE WAKE UP! DO NOT CLOSE YOUR EYES, PLEASEEEE! I'M SORRY!" I held her very tightly in my arms. 

Goddammit, Khalil. What kind of mess have you created? 

Before I even knew what was going on, before I had a chance to move, Timothy rushed in. Horror struck across his face at the sight of his sister lying in a pool of blood. 

"What the hell did you do?!" he shouted, pushing me out of the way as he ran over to Irvine.

My body froze My throat was choked before me was the whole crumbling world. 

Timothy grabbed Irvine in his arms, sheer desperation bodding upon his face. 

"We need to get her to a hospital! Now!" he screamed, voice cracking. 

I just stood there, paralyzed. In front of me was Irvine—my wife, my everything—slipping away, and I could do nothing. 

---

At the hospital

The waiting room was choking. Every second seemed endless as I sat on my spot, my hands shaking, although I ran through the scene over and over in my thoughts. 

Then, the doors burst open. 

Timothy walked towards me with fury. 

"It's your fault!" he yelled and slammed his fist on my jaw before I could do anything. 

I staggered backward because of the blow, yet he didn't stop. He was at my collar, ready to kill me. 

"If she dies, I swear to God—" His voice cracked, he was struggling for breath. 

I did not dare fight back because I deserved it. 

"Stay away from her, Khalil!"he screamed, pushing me against the wall.

"You've done enough damage. I'm taking her back to Canada and keeping her safe. And you? You're nothing to her now. She doesn't even remember you."

His words pierced my heart like a knife. 

Timothy was right, she had no recollections of me now. Now I might lose her for good. 

I watched him walk away into the hospital in search of my wife's life. 

And here I was, drowning in my sins.

End of flashback