Grandpa's Marriage Mandate: I Pick the Silent Savage

After a car crash, I wake up without a scratch, but my girlfriend, Elena Reed, has amnesia.

What shocks me the most is that I can hear my late grandma's voice in my head.

"That shameless woman is feigning amnesia to trick Rowan! If I were still alive, I'd break her legs myself!"

My eyes fly wide in disbelief.

Grandma's voice keeps raging in my head.

"Rowan, in your past life, Elena ruined you. You had miserable years with her and nearly died of a heart attack while she was out celebrating Miles' birthday!

"Your grandpa is about to have you choose a bride. Don't pick Elena. Pick Piper. She's a good woman!"

A second later, Grandpa and the elders walk into the hospital room and spread out photos of heiresses from the four great families, asking me to choose a bride.

I don't even hesitate. I choose Piper Alden, the one I've been butting heads with for as long as I can remember.

I've always listened to Grandma. If she says that Elena doesn't love me, then I don't want her anymore.

My grandpa, Edmund Becker, hesitated as he studied my face.

He then asked, "Rowan, are you sure about this? Piper's the one you've butted heads with the most. Once I announce the engagement, there's no turning back."

In archaeology circles, Grandpa was a legend. Years ago, he publicly pledged that whichever one of the four great families married their daughter to me would receive the Becker family's full support in excavations and museum projects.

Elena Reed's mother, Grace Sterling, looked rattled and quickly tried to persuade me.

"Rowan, Elena has amnesia and doesn't remember you, but you've always loved her. Why not wait a little longer? Maybe she'll get her memory back once you're married."

My grandma, Martha Keller, clicked her tongue sharply in my mind.

"Oh, come on! In the past life, that scumbag Miles smashed Rowan's watch. Rowan didn't even say a single word, but Elena still threw him out. He stood in the rain in just his sleep shirt and nearly froze to death.

"Piper was the one who showed up with an umbrella and found him a room for the night. She might come off harsh, but she's got a good heart."

Her words hit me like a punch.

I never understood why Grandma talked about past lives, but when I heard her, something in my chest tightened. I couldn't shake the feeling that what she said had really happened.

Miles Ashcroft really was Elena's first love. I only started dating her after they broke up.

"Grandpa, I've made up my mind," I said. "I choose Piper Alden."

Grandpa slid the photographs back into their envelope and clasped my shoulder. "Very well. I'll respect your choice. In two days, I'll announce your engagement to Piper."

Grandma let out a sigh of relief. "Good. Now, maybe Rowan can finally have a happy married life."

While Grandpa stayed with the other elders to talk business,