11

Jayson:

When I finally arrived at the hospital, I stepped out of the car and walked inside.

The moment I reached Betty's floor, I saw Marcus and Eleanor sitting outside her room.

My mother and her husband are there too, it's well.

Both of them looked drained.

Marcus stood immediately when he saw me. “What are you doing here?”

“The doctor called me.”

Eleanor looked at me but said nothing.

“She asked for me,” I added.

Marcus's expression hardened. “She asked for her husband.”

I nodded. “I want to see her.”

He stepped in front of the door. “You've done enough.”

“Marcus.”

“You heard me.”

I clenched my jaw. “She asked for me so I'm going inside to see her.”

“You think because she's awake everything is suddenly fine?”

“No.”

“Then don't walk in there expecting her to forgive you.”

“I didn't say I expected that.”

Marcus stared at me for several seconds before finally stepping aside.

“Five minutes.”

I opened the door.

The room was quiet.

Betty was awake.

Her eyes were open, but she looked fragile against the white pillows. There was an IV attached to her hand, and her hair was scattered across the pillow.

The moment she saw me, she went completely still.

I stopped near the doorway.

Neither of us spoke.

Her eyes moved over my face before dropping to my hands.

“You came,” she whispered.

I nodded. “You asked for me.”

She looked away.

“I didn't know who else to ask for.”

Something about those words hit differently.

I walked closer. “How are you feeling?”

She gave a small laugh. “Like I got hit by a truck.”

Despite how heavy my heart is, the corner of my mouth lifted.

Then her expression became serious.

“Jayson.”

“Hmm?”

“Why did you come?” she asked, she must be surprised I came when she called.

“You asked me to.” I replied with a small smile.

“No.” She looked directly into my eyes. “Why did you really come?”

I didn't have an answer.

Because she was my wife? Because she was pregnant with my child? Because I felt guilty? Because some part of me couldn't stop thinking about her?

Oh, I have no idea what I feel.

“I wanted to make sure you were okay.” I said.

Her eyes softened for half a second before she looked down. “You don't have to pretend.”

“I’m not pretending.”

“You always are.”

I swallowed.

She was right.

Maybe I had been pretending for so long that I no longer knew when I was being honest.

Betty slowly touched her stomach.

“My baby...” she whispered softly.

My eyes followed her hand.

“The doctor said the baby is okay,” I said.

She looked up at me. “You asked about our baby?”

“Yes.”

“Why? I mean I thought you didn't care.”

Again, I had no answer.

She stared at me for a long moment.

Then she whispered, “You don't have to worry about us anymore.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

Her fingers tightened around the blanket.

“You wanted your freedom, didn't you?”

Something tightened in my chest. “Betty…”

“You don't have to come here anymore.” she cut in and I stared at her.

You know Betty is that kind of person that doesn't like making someone uncomfortable because of her.

“You don't have to check on me. You don't have to pretend you're concerned. And you definitely don't have to stay because of the baby.”

I stepped closer. “Why are you saying this?”

“Because I'm tired, Jayson.” Her voice broke. “Tired of trying to make someone love me.”

She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.

“I spent almost ten months now thinking that if I was patient enough, kind enough, loving enough, you'd eventually look at me differently.”

She laughed bitterly.

She looked at me one last time. “I'm not going to beg you anymore.”

And for the first time, I had absolutely nothing to say to her.

I have always wanted Betty to let me go, hearing her finally say she was done didn't feel like the victory I thought it would.

Like my chest hurt physically.

And I was unable to respond to what she had just said.

“You don't have to come here anymore.” Her words kept replaying in my head.

Before I could say anything, the door opened and the doctor walked in with a nurse. He stopped when he noticed me standing beside the bed.

“Mr. Blackwood, can I speak with you and the family outside for a moment?”

I glanced at Betty, she was watching me with tired eyes.

“I'll be right back,” I told her and she nodded.

I followed the doctor outside, where Marcus, Eleanor, and my parents were waiting.

The doctor's expression immediately made me uneasy.

“Is something wrong?” Marcus asked.

“She woke up, but there is something we need to discuss.” The doctor replied.

Everyone became quiet.

The doctor continued “Mrs. Blackwood has suffered a significant concussion from the accident. Though her physical condition is improving, we've noticed something concerning.”

“What?” Eleanor asked anxiously.

“She has amnesia,”he announced.

“What?”

“She has lost some of her recent memories.”

Marcus stepped forward. “Are you saying she doesn't remember what happened?”

“Not exactly. Memory loss can vary. In her case, she remembers certain things, particularly older memories, but the events surrounding the recent period of her life are unclear.”

I stared at him and asked: “Does she remember me?”

“Yes, she knows you're her husband.”

My eyebrows pulled together.

Everyone went silent.

My stomach dropped.

“What about the divorce?” Marcus asked carefully.

The doctor shook his head. “She doesn't remember it, from what I've seen.”

I looked at Marcus and he looked back at me.

“She thinks they're still married?” Eleanor whispered.

I ran my hand through my hair. “This can’t be happening.”