chapter 3

Chapter 3

Five years later.

It had been five years since Freya woke up with no knowledge of who she really was. But it no longer bothered her. Even with all the chaos, she had found a family that truly loved her for who she was.

Today was her third wedding anniversary with her husband, Nico Moreno.

They had dated for two years and had been married for three.

Nico was the sweetest man she had known for the last five years, and she couldn’t wait to celebrate this day with him.

He had never minded that she couldn’t even remember who she was. Together, they had visited all kinds of hospitals, both local and international, but they always said the same thing.

Her memories would return on their own, or maybe they never would.

She woke up earlier than usual that morning. It was their wedding anniversary, and she had a few things to prepare.

She didn’t feel like going to fancy hotels or throwing parties as they had done in previous years.

This year, she wanted something more intimate.

Just the two of them, walking down memory lane and reminiscing about their five years together.

The moment she opened her eyes, her hand naturally stretched to the other side of the bed. It was reflexive, something she had grown used to over the years.

But instead of touching her husband’s warm skin, her hand met only cold sheets.

It was then that she remembered Nico had gone on a business trip a week ago and had promised to be home in time for their anniversary dinner.

…

The coldness of the marble floor tingled beneath her feet as she made her way to the kitchen. She had mastered a few of Nico’s favorite dishes, and since she wanted to make the day extra special, she decided to do everything herself.

By the time she finished prepping, it was past noon.

She had baked his favorite strawberry cake.

Although she hated strawberries.

The salmon was perfectly done, and his favorite pork ribs were simmering on low heat.

She glanced at the clock and realized it was almost four o’clock.

Time had moved faster than she expected, so she headed to the bathroom.

The hot bath was ready in no time, and she lit a few scented candles. They always helped her relax after a long day.

She added the rose petals Nico had gotten for her a few days earlier. She loved taking a rose bath; it made her skin feel supple, and Nico always joked that he could squeeze juice out of it.

Since it was their wedding anniversary, she decided to give herself a little treat. She poured a glass of her favorite sweet wine, sipping it slowly as she let her body relax in the bath.

She left the bathroom and headed to the walk-in closet. Her gaze fell on the gown Nico had bought for her a few weeks ago, and she smiled happily.

He had said he wanted her to look “tasty” on their third wedding anniversary, so he had bought this gown the moment he laid his eyes on it.

Her face had flushed the first time she saw it, and now that she was about to wear it for the man who had given her the best five years of her life, her heart skipped a beat.

She stroked the dress, its soft fabric sending goosebumps across her skin.

Her heart fluttered at the thought of him, imagining his hands on her, his lips trailing slowly down her neck, as he made her feel like she was the only woman who mattered.

“Darling, you have been a pillar in my life for the past five years. I don’t know how my life was before, but even if I don’t remember, I feel like these past years have been the happiest of my life. I will cherish you as long as I live.” Freya mumbled.

“I love you, my King.”

…

Seven o’clock.

Freya had looked at the door more times than she cared to admit.

Nico still wasn’t back, and his phone was unreachable.

“Maybe he’s still on the plane,” she told herself for what felt like the hundredth time.

She had lost count of how many times she had reheated the food. Even the microwave seemed to be growing tired of her.

‘Just a little longer,’ she told herself.

He would be back.

He had promised.

And no matter what, she would wait for him.

He had never broken his promises before, and he knew how important this day was to her.

The clock struck eight… nine…

Ten.

Her phone chimed with a message notification, making her heart leap with joy.

It had to be Nico.

Maybe he had just landed and was telling her not to worry.

She opened the message with trembling hands, too excited to even look at the sender.

But what she saw was nothing as she expected.

It was an anonymous message.

“If you want to know the truth about your husband, go to the Royal Hotel, Room 201.”

The truth about her husband?

Freya had a foreboding feeling as she quickly dialed the number, but it was out of service. The messages bounced back as if the number never existed in the first place.

Had Nico gotten into trouble?

Or was this some prank and he wanted to surprise her?

Freya couldn’t sit still.

With different thoughts racing through her mind, she drove to the Royal Hotel.

It was a place she and Nico frequented. From the valet to the manager, everyone knew her.

She rushed to the room indicated in the message, anxious and uneasy.

When she arrived, the door was slightly open. It was as if it had been left that way on purpose. She was about to push it open when she heard low moans coming from inside.

Her face flushed, and she hesitated. Maybe she had the wrong room. She looked at the message she was yet to delete, and saw that she was at the right door.

It was Room 201.

“This is ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath. “Why would I believe a random message from a stranger? I shouldn’t have come here.”

What if it was a trap? And the person wanted to create a misunderstanding between her and her husband?

She turned around, ready to leave, but a voice stopped her in her tracks.

It was far too familiar and impossible for her to mistake.

Wasn’t that Nico’s voice?

But how… why…?

Driven by a mix of dread and curiosity, she peered into the room.

And what she saw made the ground beneath her feet feel as if it were collapsing.

Nico, her husband of three years, was in bed with two women.

Not one.

But two.

Her heart shattered into pieces and her vision blurred.

“Nico, aren’t you going home to your wife?” One of the women spoke.

“Why would I go back to that boring old hag? She can’t even please me in bed, and all she does is nag me all day like I’m her son.”

“Haha, don’t say that, Nico. You’ve been together for five years. That should count for something.” The other one said in a mocking voice.

“I was just keeping her around to see if her memories would return, but the doctor said that would be next to impossible after five years.”

“I can finally live my life,” Nico sighed, as if a heavy burden had just been lifted off his shoulders.