Chapter Five

Naila

Two days later, I sat stiffly in the wheelchair, my fingers gripping the edge of the blanket draped over my lap.

The hospital had become safe, more familiar and predictable. 

And now I was leaving it behind for a life I couldn’t remember.

For a man I didn’t truly know or couldn't even remember.

My gaze drifted to Toby as he stood beside me, listening intently while the nurse gave instructions. His posture was rigid, his expression controlled, but there was an edge to him I couldn’t quite understand, possessive maybe. 

Like he was guarding something or someone and that someone was me. 

“Take it slow,” the nurse said gently, giving me a reassuring smile. “And don’t hesitate to call if you feel overwhelmed or feel like something is wrong or you need to talk.”

That felt like an understatement when he said overwhelmed, I nodded anyway.

Because what else could I do?

Moments later, Toby’s hands closed around the handles of my wheelchair, and he began pushing me down the hallway.

Each turn, each passing room, felt strangely distant like I was walking through someone else’s life.

The doors opened and sunlight flooded my vision.

I blinked against the brightness as the outside world came rushing back all at once noise, movement, life.

It felt too much and too fast.

A sleek black limousine waited at the curb.

Of course it did.

Toby didn’t slow as he pushed me toward it. The driver stepped forward immediately, opening the door with practiced ease.

Before I could react, Toby bent down and lifted me effortlessly into his arms.

A soft gasp escaped me.

“Careful,” I murmured, instinctively clutching his shirt.

“I have got you Naila,” he said quietly.

The words were simple.

But something about the way he said them

made my chest tighten.

The ride was silent.

I watched the city pass by through the window, something unsettling curling in my chest.

It was familiar, I knew these streets, these buildings. I had been here before. 

And yet, it didn’t feel like mine still or like I belonged here.

It was like looking at a memory through glass, close enough to recognize, but impossible to touch.

I glanced at Toby.

He hadn’t taken his eyes off me.

When the car finally stopped, I looked up at the towering building in front of us.

“This is where we live?” I asked softly.

“Yes.” he answered, no warmth or further explanation. 

The doorman greeted him instantly.

Toby didn’t respond, his focus was entirely on me as he helped me out of the car, his arm firm around my waist as we walked inside.

The moment I stepped through the doors something shifted.

A strange sensation washed over me familiar and unsettling. 

“I have been here before,” I whispered and his grip tightened.

“You remember?” he asked quickly.

I shook my head, frustration rising. “No, I just feel it.”

“That’s normal,” he said, his tone controlled again. “We lived here together.”

He said lived, past tense. The word lingered in my mind.

Before I could question it, the elevator doors opened.

When we stepped inside, the feeling intensified.

Like something just out of reach.

A memory I couldn’t quite grasp.

I pressed my fingers to my temple, trying to force it forward but there was nothing but total darkness. 

“Don’t push yourself,” Toby said sharply.

I dropped my hand.

“Yes of course.”

The doors opened into a stunning penthouse. Everything was luxurious and yet It didn’t feel like home.

We had barely stepped inside when a woman appeared, she was tall, blonde and elegant. 

Beautiful in a way that felt deliberate.

Her gaze landed on Toby first warm, familiar before shifting to me, assessing me more like judging me. 

“Welcome home, Mr. Anetakis,” she said smoothly, placing a hand lightly on his arm.

Something twisted in my chest.

“I have organized your documents and arranged dinner. I assumed you wouldn’t want to go out after everything.” Her tone was polite.

But something beneath it wasn’t.

“This is Naila,” Toby said, pulling me slightly closer.

“Roslyn Chambers, my assistant.”

I forced a small smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“Of course,” she said sweetly. “It’s been quite some time.”

Something about that felt off, the way she said it. 

“Months,” she added.

My brows furrowed slightly.

I glanced at Toby, but his expression had hardened.

“Roslyn,” he said, a warning in his tone and she smiled wider.

“I will leave you two to settle in,” she said, her hand lingering just a second too long on his arm. “Call me if you need anything.”

The word hung in the air as she walked away, her heels echoing softly against the marble floor, I watched her go.

Then slowly looked back at Toby.

I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask mostly about their relationship with each other and her relationship with me. 

“Come,” he said finally. “You need to rest.”

“I have done enough resting,” I replied quietly.

A flicker of something crossed his face annoyance? concern?

“Then sit,” he said. “Eat something please.” he repeated, his tone calm now. 

He guided me to the couch, covering me with a blanket like I might break if left unattended.

Then he disappeared briefly and returned with food and some soup. 

I stared at it without appetite.

Toby didn’t sit still, he paced nack and forth.

Like something was bothering him.

Something he wasn’t saying.

“Your assistant,” I said finally. “She seems close to you.”

He stopped and turned

“Her job requires it.”

That wasn’t an answer.

“You said she hasn’t seen me in months,” I continued carefully. “But we lived together?”

Something flickered in his eyes but it was gone just as quickly.

“You were away,” he said.

But something deep inside me stirred, it was like a voice saying he was lying. 

“I have work to finish before we leave,” he said abruptly.

“Leave?” I asked a bit confused 

“We are going to Greece.” He said

“My home is there,” he added. “You will be more comfortable there.”

“Exactly how wealthy are you?” I asked before I could stop myself and he looked mildly surprised.

“My family owns some hotels around the world.”

Something clicked faintly in my mind, a name I had heard and read when I tried to look him up

“Anetakis” I whispered.

He didn’t deny it just smiled. .

“Rest,” he said quietly.

I curled into the sheets, my body sinking into the softness.