Chapter Five

Marianna’s POV

~Two weeks later~

Why does it feel like I have died before? Even after living as Marianna Crowns for two weeks, I couldn't bring myself to believe this was the life I had lived.

Every day, I prayed earnestly for my memories to return.

Alexander also tried to help me regain my memories by making us take walks in paths he claimed we had always walked together, eating at restaurants he claimed we had frequented together, but nothing returned.

Today, I stared at my reflection in the mirror as one of the maids applied makeup on my face.

“How long have you been here?” I asked.

She paused, taking her hands off my face and standing with her head slightly bowed, hands carefully placed at her front.

“Almost a year, ma'am,” she responded.

I turned my face to her slowly. “How long have I been married to Alexander?”

“Six months, ma'am.” She replied.

I turned back to the mirror and took a deep breath. Everything proved that Alexander Crowns is my husband and I'm his wife. The wedding certificates, the maid's testimonies and even the large portrait in the sitting room but I failed to feel the connection.

“That's enough. I don't need to put much makeup on” I halted the maid who took her hands off my face immediately.

Alexander had informed me the previous night that we would be visiting his grandfather, leaving no room for refusal. I had been told that our marriage had been kept a secret from his grandfather for six months, but today, we will pay him a visit.

Hours later, Alexander arrived from work to drive me to his grandfather's mansion.

He smiled at me as he walked into the sitting room. “Did anything return?”

I could tell he was obsessed with my memories but it was hard to tell if he wanted them to return or not. But one thing I was certain about, he cared about those memories.

“Nothing returned.” I flashed him a smile.

He nodded and led me out of the sitting room, into the car. “Don't rush it. Let it come naturally”

Upon arrival at his grandfather's mansion, the lunch table had been set in a beautiful garden at the patio of the house.

I offered greetings to the old man, keeping my head bowed until he said otherwise.

“Raise your head and take your seat” his voice was cold, enough to send shivers down my spine.

Alexander drew a chair for me and I settled down immediately.

“You look…. familiar” Grandfather said, getting me surprised. His gaze was lingering on me, eyes trying to decipher where he had seen me before.

Before I could respond, Alexander's voice cut in. “Let's just have the meal, grandfather. There's no way you would have seen her anywhere”

When lunch started, I expected grandfather to have questions for me, but all through, he discussed business with his grandson.

Soon, the lunch ended, everyone sitting silently around the table when grandfather spoke.

“Why did you hide from me that you had a wife? For six months?” The man growled, making me shiver. “You made me worried for nothing!”

“Since you've seen her now, then we shall take our leave.” Alexander said. “ And you shall take your words back on making Rowan the successor”

Alexander stood up while I watched the way grandfather stared at me. Do I really look that familiar to him?

Suddenly, he took his face away with a deep breath and turned back to Alexander.

“However, I won't be transferring the shares to you until I've confirmed that this person is truly your wife,” the grandfather said.

“Do as you wish,” Alexander replied coldly. “Just don't hand anything over to Rowan”

He grabbed my hand, wanting to walk away but we hadn't taken a step when grandfather spoke again.

“Drey Lauren's wife died” That forced us to a stop. “They will be burying Anna Lauren finally this evening”

I turned and it felt like something pierced my heart that moment. Those names felt oddly familiar but I couldn't place them.

“You should go pay your final respects in my stead” The grandfather commanded. “He was once a business associate afterall”

Alexander sighed deeply. He didn't respond and only walked me out of the mansion.

Inside the car, he faced the driver. “Drive her home”

I turned to him, my eyes demanding answers. Is he not coming home with me?

“I will have to attend the burial like grandfather wants” he said, staring deep into my eyes. I nodded while fidgeting with my fingers.

Alexander walked out of the car and the driver drove out of sight.

Soon, the car stopped in the mansion and I walked into the house absentmindedly. Drey Lauren. Why won't I forget that name? Anna Lauren. Who is she?

I sighed deeply wanting to head upstairs when my face turned to the television.

The burial of Anna Lauren was being displayed. People in black stood there with umbrellas above their heads and that's when I realized it had started raining.

A thunder rumble came from the sky and a sharp pain hit my head, making me fall to the ground.

“Argh!!!” I screamed, holding onto my head.

Flashes of images went through my head, getting me confused.

After a moment, I pieced everything together. Those images…. They were my memories!

Another realization hit me…. This man that had claimed to be my husband was a total stranger I don't know from anywhere.

Once again, another realization hit me, making my eyes widen.

My baby.

My hands flew to my stomach in search of my child but there was nothing. Just flatness and no movement.

No….. that can't be.

I shook my head violently as tears streamed down my face.

I stood up, running outside barefooted. The cold floor bit into my feet, but I didn't stop. The heavy rain beat down on me but I continued running.

“Ma'am, it's raining. Where are you headed?” One of the guards outside tried to grab me but I yanked his hands away.

“Let go of me!” I screamed, my tears mixing with the raindrops.

I ran out of the mansion, heading nowhere in particular. I was going crazy, eager to hear from a doctor that my baby was breathing fine.

The sound of the heavy rain, coupled with the absence of my mind made it impossible for me to hear the horn of the incoming car until I was sprawled on the ground, body numb and stiff.

The car had hit me.

But this time, I prayed I wouldn't wake up forgetting my child.