DESPERATE THIRST FOR LOVE

Elvie was shivering in the rain, and her mind was nowhere near sane. She was hurt, betrayed, and alone. But then she realised there was something in the rain that made her forget who she was—that she was nothing more than her husband's enemy. And, yes, her best friend was right; it was difficult to be a wife willing to sacrifice her heart for a husband who doesn't love her back. A few minutes later, she arrived at Stanton’s mansion. Elvie knocked on her husband’s door. "Zander!" "What the hell do you want?" His irritated voice came as he opened the door. Elvie sighed. "I've been married to you for a year, but we've never really been a couple." "So?" "I'll sign the divorce papers; you and your lover may proceed with your affair by calling it quits on our marriage." Zander frowned. "What do you mean?" "You're free to go. You can marry her. But for now, could y-you um, make love to me?" "What?" "This is my last and only request; please make up for my love for you throughout the

Elvie was vaguely aware of a murmur of voices and the faint hum of the heating system around her. Someone—was it the nurse? or the old doctor? She inhaled the sweet aroma of rain, ocean, and silky fabric. But she refused to open her eyes. Her head ached so badly that all she wanted to do was close her eyes and cry. She didn't want to get out of bed. She didn't want to leave the darkness and tranquility of sleep, the warmth of scarcely remembered dreams that still held her like a tight embrace. She didn't want to return to existence's void, where she had no memories. No identity. Nothing to hold on to. It was nothingness, far greater than any suffering. And then the doctor told her a few hours ago that she had a four-year-old daughter. She couldn’t remember conceiving the child. Couldn’t even remember the face of her baby’s father. But she will meet him today. He would be here in a minute. She thought to herself. Elvie clenched her eyes tight, covering her head with the pillow. She

Elvie Carlton was a deadly habit he'd finally broken—and he planned to keep it that way. "Very well," he grumbled, turning to face her. "We'll come back next time with our daughter, okay?" Her gorgeous face lit up. She looked fresh without makeup and with her hair pulled back into a casual ponytail. She looked to be significantly younger than his own age, just old enough for college. "Thank you," she responded cheerfully. Thank you. Another term from her that he'd never heard before Yes, in a year while they were married, they seldom communicated with each other, and it would often take a week for a single Yes or No to come from the two of them, even after she had done everything she could to win him. But now? Was she always this polite? So innocent? So...pure? So sweet? Was he really this bad? He sighed as his chauffeur drove effortlessly through the city, turning right to the airport, Zander looked away, resting back in the dark leather seat. They landed in Scotland two hou

"I'm so cruel! I'm so—so bad. I can’t remember. I can't—" Crossing the bedroom in four long strides, Zander took her by the shoulders. "Elvie, listen to me, okay? Don't blame yourself. You will get your memory back eventually." "It’s not just the past; it's me. It's what happened. Why did I marry you? Why did we fight? Why did I bring our child with me then totally forget her? I'm cruel, I'm so—" she whispered. "Why would you want to be with a person like me? Without substance, without heart? A bad mother?" Zander remained silent. "And now it’s all too late," she said over the lump in her throat. "I’ve lost her. I have no home. I'm a bad mother. Oh God!" "Your home is with me, and trust me, you are a good mother, okay?" he said in a low voice. She looked up at him. The sunlight from the tall windows gently caressed his face, illuminating floating dust motes like tiny stars all around them in the bedroom. "Let me show you." He touched her bare arms carefully, his fingertips glidi

The driver buzzed, and he picked up his briefcase. "Don’t bother doing something here, okay? Sleep, rest, and enjoy the garden, and don't worry about the wedding," he said. "If you need to do something, do it from here in my room or in your room, and then finish up for the day." He frowned at her pale face. "Actually, go shopping." "I’ve got a full schedule tomorrow with the doctor. I mean, an online meeting with a psychiatrist, Zander." "Cancel it—my orders." Zander shrugged. "Go shopping and buy whatever you like and catch up on some sleep. I’ll see you on Monday." And as always, he left his room as easily as he left a hotel room—just turned and walked out of the door without a second thought. From the balcony, Elvie saw him frown as he handed his driver his bag. Elvie’s voice reached him. "Have a safe trip, Zander." He looked up over his shoulder and saw a throwaway comment, a rushed farewell, on the tip of his tongue, and in that moment he tasted it. Take care, Elvie! But he