ZAYNI set up some dates with Clara with amnesia and without it. Tonight’s date was at this rooftop restaurant she’d once told me she used to sneak off to during university—somewhere she could hear herself think and feel invisible for a while. I remembered that, and I brought her here because I knew she needed to feel invisible again, even if just for one night.She was dressed in this midnight blue silk top that brought out the depth in her eyes, the kind of piece that moved like water every time she adjusted her posture. Her fingers were scrolling through something on her phone, but her lips were curved in a way that told me she wasn’t thinking too hard. That was rare lately.I reached for my wine glass and took a slow sip, not because I was thirsty, but because I needed to time my question right. My stomach had been uneasy since I overheard that conversation two nights ago—the one she didn’t think I heard. I had called to check up on her after one of her headaches, and I guess she
CLARAI showed up at Lucas's office days later, every single memory finally intact. The doctor said it was one of the quickest recoveries. For me? I just knew it was because my body knew we had a battle to fight and I needed my full capacity for it. Lucas was not expecting me. I did not have the time to wait for an appointment with him. I needed more action and less drawing things out. Less talking, less planning, more action. I was tracking Fred down with several private investigators. I got some people working to bring him to me too, I needed too teach him a lesson he would not be forgetting quick.It took me getting amnesia to finally realize all the things I should have done quicker… all the action I could taken faster and all the red flags I should have seen quicker. But now was not the time to lay blames on myself. Now was the time to get these plans sped up.I went up to the receptionist and flashed a big smile at her, but my smile dissipated as quickly as it came. "Is Lucas
LUCASI stepped into the hospital, the icy air hitting my face like it knew exactly who I was and why I had come. The place smelled of antiseptic and depression as well.My shoes clicked sharply against the marble floor as I walked up to the front desk, not sparing a glance at the old man with the wheezing cough to my right or the weeping woman hugging her child on the waiting bench. I had one purpose.The young nurse at the desk lifted her eyes to me, blinked twice. Recognition sank in almost immediately. Of course, they always knew.I leaned on the counter just enough to make her nervous. “Ella Grayson. What ward?”Her throat bobbed. “Uh—sir, I need to confirm. Are you family?”“Brother-in-law,” I replied coolly. “And I don’t have time for red tape.”She stared at me for a second longer, then glanced at her screen. Her hands were shaky now. Probably wondering if the rumors were true—that I was just as dangerous in person as the headlines made me seem.“She’s in Ward C15. Fourth floo
CLARAThe nightmares had become a routine. One week of waking up breathless, confused, sweaty. Some nights, I screamed myself awake. Other nights, I just stared at the ceiling for hours, trying to piece everything together like a puzzle someone scrambled on purpose.Zayn started sleeping over, two nights in a row. The first night was calm, I didn’t even stir… actually, he told me I clung to him the whole time like I was afraid he’d disappear. I didn’t remember that part.The second night though? I thrashed in his arms. Kicked, mumbled something he couldn’t make out, and woke up crying with different names on my lips. He said I looked terrified, and I felt it too.How could the doctor tell me this was all normal?Now, a week later, everything was starting to come together. Not all at once—more like fog clearing in patches. At first, I pushed it aside. I told myself I was imagining things. That the betrayal I was recalling was just some twisted dream cooked up by stress and trauma. But
ZAYN"I'm sorry you met him here, really. It was nothing I swear." Clara assured me for the umpteenth time. I sighed,"It's okay, goddess. I'll be fine." I told her and her bottom lip jutted out in a pout. "Which means you're not fine right now?" She questioned, her doe eyes rounder and inquisitive. I shrugged, then paused for a second with my eyes searching hers. I decided to snatch this opportunity with both hands."I could be." She looked up from the table she was setting up, she had some snacks on there and was pouring out fresh juice too. Clara dropped the jug containing the fruit juice back on the table, urging me to go on,"Mmhmm?""For that, you need to finish pouring the drinks and come a little closer." At first, she looked like she was still confused, but then she gasped quietly and I could see the blush creeping to her cheeks.At first, this thing with Clara was simply showing Andy how to get a woman. At first, Clara pushed me away as well. She wanted nothing to do with
LUCASJust the minute she dropped off my hold and opened her mouth to probably talk about how this was a mistake and I should be on my merry way, a knock resounded on the door."Oh shit." Clara cussed, wiping her hand with the back of her hand and straightening her shorts even more. She ran to the shelf nearby and took an air freshener, releasing it in the air."Dad?" She called out with uncertainty. "No, it's me Zayn. Busy?" His voice sounded tight. I felt good knowing that he had definitely seen my car outside, and it did not help that the door was locked. I would lose my shit too."Oh fuck." Clara cussed again, giving herself a quick once over before heading to the door. There was a frown on my face as I called out to her,"I would not open the door dressed like that if I were you, Clara."Also because I did not want Zayn seeing her like that.She ignored me, unlocking the door and pulling it open afterwards. I stood where I was, watching her flash him her biggest smile but his ey