MasukMaya’s povI started noticing changes in Ethan after he asked about Lena for the first time but I convinced myself it was temporary because memory recovery is unpredictable and doctors warned me months ago that frustration would come before progress. I held onto that explanation longer than I should have.Now I am not sure I believe it because frustration and suspicion are different things. Ethan has become suspicious the way he watches me lately reminds me too much of the man he used to be before the explosion and that terrifies me more than I want to admit because the old Ethan noticed details.I parked outside the clinic gripping the steering wheel while rain hit the windshield steadily. The appointment had been scheduled weeks ago as one of Ethan’s routine evaluations but I asked to come alone because there were things I needed answered.The neurologist greeted me politely and led me toward his office. "How has he been?" he asked after sitting down.I lowered my eyes briefly befor
Lena’s povI was sitting on the floor folding Eli’s tiny clothes while he crawled around the living room throwing toys behind him like his personal mission in life was making extra work for me. Pregnancy had made me tired lately the kind where your body feels heavy all day and emotions sit closer to the surface.I folded another little shirt before looking over at Eli he was sitting near the coffee table chewing on one of his stuffed animals.I frowned immediately."Eli, why do you insist on eating things that are not food?" I asked making my way toward him slowly he looked up at me with Ethan’s eyes and smiled and my chest tightened the way it always does and I don't think that feeling will ever go away.I took the toy from him earning an offended little noise. "Oh now you are angry with me?" I laughed softly.His tiny brows pulled together. "Mama."Everything stopped as I stared at him and my breath caught instantly. Eli looked at me again still smiling. "Mama."The word hit me so h
Ethan’s povI spent most of the night thinking about the file I found in Maya’s office yesterday but what I spent most of the night thinking about the surname.Carter.If my name is Ethan Moretti then why would another surname be hidden underneath paperwork and why did Maya never mention it? The more I thought about it the less sense anything made. I ended up sleeping maybe two hours before giving up completely.By morning my head hurt and irritation sat heavy in my chest. Maya was already in the kitchen when I went downstairs. She was dressed neatly as usual with her laptop open and coffee beside her. She looked up when she heard me, "You should sleep more."I grabbed coffee before sitting down, "I could say the same to you."A small smile touched her face before disappearing. "I have meetings in Milan all day and dinner afterward so I won't be back until late."My stomach tightened immediately but I kept my expression normal by late that meant time. I looked down at my coffee. "Busy
Lena’s povI woke up because Eli was crying and not the normal cry where he wants milk or wants me to hold him this cry sounded weak almost as if he was uncomfortable.My eyes opened immediately and I sat up looking toward his crib beside the bed, "Eli?" I whispered before getting up quickly.The room was dark except for the small nightlight near the dresser I picked him up and instantly frowned he felt hot and fear hit me so fast my stomach dropped. "Oh God," I whispered touching his forehead again.His cheeks were red and he whined softly reaching for me."No baby, no," I mumbled carrying him toward the bathroom.I switched on the light and grabbed the thermometer with shaky hands. Ever since Ethan died I keep medicine and thermometers everywhere because being alone with a baby makes you paranoid.I waited and the few seconds felt forever before the number appeared and my chest tightened immediately I looked again hoping maybe I read wrong but I didn't and tears filled my eyes so qu
Ethan’s povI woke up irritated again and honestly I was getting tired of waking up feeling like this because every morning lately starts the same. My chest hurts for no reason, my head feels heavy and there is always this strange feeling sitting inside me like I forgot something important.I laid there staring at the ceiling for a few minutes before finally getting out of bed because sleeping doesn't help anymore because even when I sleep I wake up feeling exhausted.I walked into the bathroom turning on the light then stopped in front of the mirror I stare at the man infront of me I don't know why but lately I keep looking at myself longer than normal and the man staring back at me should feel familiar but he doesn't.I know my name is Ethan Moretti I know I survived an explosion I know I owned companies before everything happened and I know enough to survive but when I look at myself I don't see somebody I know. I see a man who looks like pieces of him are missing.I rubbed my jaw
Lena’s povI was sitting on the floor with Eli while he played with his blocks when I suddenly saw him pull himself up using the couch and my eyes widen immediately, "Dad!" I yelled making him rush into the living room."What happened?" He asked looking around.I pointed at Eli, "Look!"Dad looked over and his face soften seeing Eli standing while holding onto the couch. "No way," he laughed.Eli looked between us smiling proudly like he knew he did something good. "Oh my God baby," I whispered crawling closer to him.Eli let go with one hand trying to reach for me before falling on his butt making himself laugh.Dad chuckled shaking his head, "That boy really has no fear.""He got that from Ethan," I smiled softly before my smile slowly faded because Ethan should have been here for this he should have seen Eli trying to walk for the first time and he would have probably picked him up spinning him around like Eli just won a championship. My chest hurt thinking about it.Eli crawled ov
Lena’s POVI’m in the kitchen pretending to focus on cleaning when my phone rings. John’s name flashes on the screen and my stomach drops before I even answer, because John does not call unless something is wrong.“Hey,” I say, trying to sound normal, even though my heart is already racing. “What’s
Lena's POVThe first thing I notice is that Donavan is gone. Not just gone from the café or gone from town meetings, but gone in a way that feels deliberate. No black car parked too close to the curb. No pretending to be just another face in the crowd. No showing up with that half smile that never
Lena’s POVI haven’t slept properly since that message came in.Every time I close my eyes, my body jerks awake like it forgot something important, like I left the stove on or the door unlocked or my whole life sitting wide open for someone to walk in and take.My phone is on the nightstand, screen
Lena’s POVThe clinic smelled like disinfectant and cheap coffee and for some reason that combination makes my stomach roll before I even sit down.Keenan notices right away. "Are you okay,” he asks, lowering his voice even though no one in the waiting room is paying us any attention. “You went kin







