12

Jayson:

“The pregnancy is currently stable,” The doctor continued. “However, she is physically and emotionally vulnerable. We need to avoid anything that could cause severe emotional distress.”

Marcus swallowed.

“Does that include telling her about the divorce?”

The doctor hesitated.

“Right now, yes. I strongly advise against suddenly telling her that her marriage has ended.”

“But the divorce is already…”

“I understand,” he interrupted me. “But from her perspective, that event hasn't happened. If she suddenly learns that she lost her marriage, discovered her husband was with another woman, left home, and ended up hospitalized…all at once, the emotional shock could be severe.”

“So what are we supposed to do?”

“Let her recover first. We can monitor her memory and assess whether those memories return naturally.”

“And if they don't?” I asked.

The doctor looked at me.

“Then we'll deal with that when the time comes.”

I stared at the floor.

This was insane.

Only yesterday, I was standing in that same hospital defending my relationship with Jewel and insisting that my marriage to Betty was over.

Now I was being told that Betty didn't even remember divorcing me.

“Can she be told eventually?” Marcus asked.

“Yes, but not now. Her health comes first.” The doctor walked away with the nurse.

I looked at Betty's family and they looked at me.

Marcus was the first to speak. “You have to stay.”

I immediately shook my head. “No.”

“Jayson…”

“You know what I mean.” I clenched my jaw. “I can't pretend everything is fine.”

“I'm not asking you to fall in love with her,” Marcus said. “I'm asking you not to destroy her health.”

“Her health isn't my responsibility.”If I stay, I'll lose Jewel and I don't care about anyone except Jewel.

Eleanor stepped toward me, tears in her eyes.

“She is carrying your child, please at least stay with her, she needs you.” She pleaded.“She woke up believing her husband still loves her. If she finds out that you divorced her and that you've already chosen another woman, what do you think will happen?”

But I don't want to lose my Jewel, she's already feeling insecure about us.

“Please,” Eleanor whispered. “Just for now.”

My mother looked at me. “Jayson, listen to them.”

I shook my head.

“You don't understand.”

“We understand enough,” George said quietly.

“You're asking me to lie to her.”

“No,” George replied. “We're asking you to give her time.”

Marcus stepped closer and said calmly. “Let her recover. Let the pregnancy become stable. Let her mind heal. If her memories return naturally, then we'll deal with everything.”

“And Jewel?”

Nobody answered.

I laughed bitterly. “Exactly, you are not thinking about me. I never even forced her to leave, I wasn't responsible for her accident, yet I'm the one paying the price.”

I turned toward the hospital room.

Through the glass panel, I could see Betty lying quietly on the bed.

“Please, Jayson,” Eleanor said again. “Don't take that from her yet.”

I closed my eyes.

I knew I should walk away, tell Betty the truth and go to Jewel and explain everything.

But then I imagined Betty waking up tomorrow and being told that her marriage was over. I remembered the doctor's warning, her health and the baby's condition.

I exhaled slowly. “How long?”

Marcus looked at me. “What?”

“How long do you expect me to do this?”

“Until she's strong enough.”

I stared at him. “And if she never remembers at all?”

Nobody answered.

My jaw tightened.

That was the question I was afraid to ask.

I walked back into the room.

Betty looked at me immediately.

“Where did you go?” she asked, pouting like a child.

I forced myself to relax and not say a thing to her..

“The doctor wanted to speak with me.”

“Oh.” She smiled faintly, her eyes dropped to my wedding ring.

A tiny smile appeared on her face. “You're still wearing it.”

My eyes followed hers, I never even realized I didn't take it off.

“Of course,” I replied. “We're still married.”

She reached for my hand.

I hesitated before allowing her fingers to wrap around mine.

“I was scared when I woke up,” she whispered.

“Why?”

“I thought I was alone.” she sighed. “But you came, I knew you wouldn't abandon me. Even if you do not see me the way I see you, a part of me knows you'd rush to me if I asked of you.”

My throat tightened.

I couldn't say anything.

She smiled.

She had no idea that I had already divorced her, that the marriage she believed was still intact had already ended.

And now I had to decide whether to tell her the truth or become the husband she remembered.

I squeezed her hand gently.

“I'm here for you.”

Betty closed her eyes, finally relaxing.

And I realized I had just made the most complicated decision of my life.

Because pretending to be Betty's husband didn't feel like an act.

It felt like a lie I was terrified to stop telling.