Ria’s mind was racing. Her skin was flushed, and she felt so shy she couldn't even meet Antonio's gaze. Not that he was looking at her, of course. His gaze has remained resolutely out the window since the...incident. She felt stupid calling it that though. The man was her husband. This should be normal. Why was she making a big deal out of it? She should be pleased. How many women felt sexy enough to seduce their husbands a few days postpartum? She was pleased. But that didn't mean she didn't feel as jittery with nerves. Ria wondered if Antonio's reaction meant that their sex life was every bit as loving as their relationship seemed to be. If that was the case, then she was very lucky, and Antonio was a one-of-a-kind man. She fussed with her sleeping babies again, buying a few more seconds before she would have to sit across from her husband again. When she finally composed herself enough to turn, Antonio was staring at her. He looked utterly composed again, like the last few min
Ria stared at Antonio as he rounded up the phone call he was receiving. A few days had passed since she regained consciousness, and Antonio had barely left her side in all that time. There was a new bouquet of flowers for her everyday, and once he had the all-clear from the doctor, Antonio had begun to shower her with little sweet treats and gifts. Ria felt more loved than she ever thought was possible, and even though Antonio never ceased to reassure her, her inability to remember made her sick with guilt. He turned from his phone, a smile immediately crossing his lips. "Ready to go?" He asked. She nodded, clutching her baby to her chest. The other one was casually cradled in the crook of Antonio's arm. Ria dimly wondered how he managed to look so good with his hair mussed, and carrying a baby. He was wearing an expensive-looking suit with a turtle necked shirt underneath. He looked wonderful. Again, Ria was hit by a pang of wonder. Her days in the hospital, post-surgery hadn't
When Antonio returned to the room, Ria was trying to sit up, a slight sheen of sweat on her face. He rushed forward immediately, and pushed a button by the side of her bed."You shouldn't be trying to sit up, Ria," he breathed, adjusting the pillow behind her back. "Hold on. Let me help you." Ria shot him a grateful look, and leaned back against the bed which was now raised in a reclining position so she was no longer lying flat. "Thank you," she said. "You have nothing to thank me for," Antonio replied, taking a seat by her bedside. "How are you feeling now?" He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face. Ria sighed, and almost gave into the urge to lean into his touch. This man was her husband... Looking at him, she could almost believe it. She couldn't explain the feeling of safety she had around him, just as she couldn't understand why she couldn't remember him. She forced a tired smile. "I'm fine." Her belly still hurt badly, but a nurse had come by earlier to giv
Antonio stood by the window of the private waiting room in the hospital, one hand tucked into his pocket, the other holding a cold cup of coffee he hadn’t touched. This was his private room and office. The hospital was one of his assets under the Xander Empire. He looked out at the city light which blinks faintly in the distance but his eyes weren't really seeing them because his mind was far away, lost in thought.He just stood there… thinking.Ria’s voice kept replaying in his head.“Are you… my husband?”That one question had shaken him more than anything.She didn’t remember him. Not even a little.And yet… she looked at him like she wanted to believe he was someone important. That small, quiet hope in her voice made his chest feel tight.The door opened behind him.Ricardo walked in quietly, holding a plastic bag in one hand. He closed the door gently and stood for a moment, looking at his boss and friend—the man everyone feared, respected and obeyed without question was currentl
Ria lay quietly on the bed, her body was still sore. Her eyes were half open, staring at the ceiling. It felt cold and strange, like everything around her.Why couldn't she remember some part of her life?The doctor had said she was pregnant and had put to birth. Yet, she has no recollection of it but her lower abdomen agreed with what the doctor said.Her hands moved a little under the blanket. Her stomach still hurts. A deep, dull pain that made it hard to even breathe right. She winced slightly as she shifted again, trying to find a more comfortable position. Her body felt like it had been through something brutal.She blinked hard. Her fingers curled slowly on the bedsheet as she tried to make sense of the emptiness in her head. But the more she tried to force her mind to remember, the more she's faced with sharp headaches making it difficult to stay focused.Outside her room, the voices of two nurses drifted in from the slightly opened door.“...he’s been standing outside the eme
Ria stirred awake.Her eyelashes fluttered open, slowly, like someone waking up from a long, heavy sleep. She blinked slowly. The ceiling above her looked white, sterile and unfamiliar.A sharp pain tugged at her lower stomach, and her body ached all over — her back, her sides, her legs, everything felt sore and painful. She blinked again, confused.Where was she?She let out a soft breath, then tried to move her arm. A sharp sting shot through her side, and she winced.“Mmmmm”She noticed the IV line in her hand.And then someone leaned over her.“Ria?” The voice was low and warm. “Can you hear me?”She turned her head slightly. Her eyes locked onto a man — his eyes were gentle, sharp jaw, his hair were slightly messy like he hadn’t slept.He looked… relieved.Her brow drew together into a frown, he felt… familiar, but she couldn't recognize him.Her brows furrowed deeper. Her lips parted slightly. “Where… where am I?” Her voice was raspy, barely above a whisper.The man’s smile froz