Casper Hallow

Chapter four

It was three years ago when Casper Hallow’s life changed in a rather unexpected manner. It was a night of fun and revelry and then there was the accident that altered everything. And now, as he looked at the ceiling of the hospital room, the only thing that occupied his mind was Amelia, the woman he loved most.

He whispered to himself, ‘Amelia Hallow, I won’t let anything happen to you again.’ ”Our child needs love from both parents.” He wanted to see her but at the same time he did not want to interfere with her progress. It was a moment of great contemplation when he was interrupted by the knock on his door, and to his surprise he saw his mother Susan Hallow forcing a smile.

“Is Amelia awake?” he questioned enthusiastically, struggling to rise, although his muscles screamed in protest.

“You can’t keep on springing up from the bed like that,” Susan said softly, her face a picture of displeasure.

Casper could tell his mother had never been completely okay with him being in a romantic way with Amelia. She had been forced to accept it after Amelia got pregnant and the birth of the first grandchild made her change her mind. But he couldn’t expect her to have the same excitement and nervousness that he had now especially after all that had transpired.

“I know, but I really want to see my wife,” he responded and his voice was full of desperation.

Susan sighed. “You can see her tomorrow, the doctors still want to do a few more tests before she can be moved to a general ward.”

Casper’s face fell. He looked at the clock again and said to himself: “So it will take 19 hours and 35 minutes and some seconds?”

Susan gazed at her son hopelessly. She realized that the young woman had already been transferred to a normal ward but wanted to talk to her first to know what was happening and what she was going to face when Casper saw her.

“I know it is difficult but you just need to wait wait. It is for her health and yours too,” Susan whispered consolingly to him.

“Mom, I have not been seeing Ryan lately, is everything alright with the company?” Casper asked, changing the topic of conversation because he knew there was more to what she said than what she told him.

‘The company is fine, I have told Evan to take charge for now, you just focus on getting better’, Susan said a little too quickly, her eyes averted from his.

Casper scowled, feeling that there was something off. But he decided not to continue with the discussion any further. He just lay down staring at the door as his mother walked out of the room, he was still thinking of Amelia and the unborn child.

*Doctor’s Office *

Susan walked into Dr. Sam’s office with a lot of energy. “Is she okay, Doctor Sam?” she questioned, her voice shaking a little.

“Well, from the tests we have carried out on her, she seems to have some memory problems, though they are not very serious, she does not remember much, she thinks everyone in her family is dead and that her husband is also dead.”

Susan’s heart sank. She knew this situation was far from simple, but nothing could make things worse in her opinion. “Does she remember any family members or relatives we could contact?” she asked, still looking for a solution.

“No, she only remembers going out of the hospital to get something and then, she cannot remember anything,” Dr. Sam answered.

Susan did not utter a word, she felt the pressure of the situation on her. She did not wish to take advantage of the girl’s state to get what she wanted but she had to consider Casper’s health. He was vulnerable and this was a sensitive issue.

“Can I see her?” she asked, the girl had to be assessed before she is allowed to interact with Casper.

Dr. Sam nodded. “She has been allowed to receive visitors but let’s be a little careful on her, she has been through a lot.”

Susan thanked him and went to the ward where Emily or rather Amelia was sleeping. She had to do something to save her son, but at the same time, she did not want to hurt this girl any more.

Susan entered the room and looked directly into Emily’s face and saw her lifeless look. The girl seemed to be confused, her face blank and she seemed not to have any idea of who or where she was.

“My name is Susan Hallow, and my son was the one who hit you with his car,” she said apologetically but assertively.

Emily’s lips pursed in a frown, but she did not say anything, and simply listened to Susan.

“I know this is all overwhelming and you must be very confused,” Susan continued to speak gently. “But my son, he is not very good, he has amnesia and thinks you are his wife.”

Emily’s expression hardened. “Well, what do you want me to do with that information?” she said in a tone that suggested she was not happy at all.

Susan swallowed hard. “If you could just—”

“I just want to get better and leave,” Emily interrupted angrily, “I do not want to play along with some unrealistic scenario.”

It was at this time that Susan started feeling that her patience was wearing thin. “I have been so polite to you all this time but you are so impolite to me now, can’t you just let me continue?” she said angrily.

Emily’s lips pulled up into a cold smile. “Now this is much better, I wanted to see the real you. ”

Susan looked at the girl in disbelief because of the girl’s impudence. “Tell me what you want me to do for you and I will do it for free, just be my son’s wife until he remembers who he is.”

Emily only laughed bitterly and it was as if she had no joy in her heart. “I don’t want your money. I want my freedom. ”

Susan’s face set into a stony glare as she moved to the door, her thoughts going round and round as to how she could keep her son safe. She did not wish to offend Emily but she needed to find a way to assist Casper to go through this.

When his mother left, Casper could not stay any longer away from home. Overlooking the signs and his suffering, he went to Amelia’s, or rather Emily’s, room. He had to meet her, to speak to her, to take her hand and ensure that she was really alive and well.

When he entered the room, Emily was on the bed, her back towards the door. She did not look back when he came in assuming that it was Susan who had come to borrow something.

“I’m not interested in any business deal,” she repeated without raising her head, her tone rather grumpy.

“Not even if it’s with the love of your life?” Casper asked gently, his lip curving upwards into a smile as he reached towards her.

Emily looked at him, her eyes opened wide in shock and anger. “You must be out of your mind!” she screamed and tried to push him off her as hard as she could.Casper stumbled back, his heart breaking at the look of fear in her eyes. “Amelia, I’m so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you or our baby,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.

“My name is Emily, not Amelia. I’m not your wife, and this child is mine alone!” she yelled, her voice shaking with fury and something else—fear.

Dr. Sam stepped in, gently guiding Casper out of the room. “Let’s give her some space,” he said firmly, leading Casper down the hallway.

“Is something wrong with my wife and child?” Casper asked, his voice barely a whisper.

“She’s not stable yet, Casper. She needs time,” Dr. Sam replied, his tone firm but understanding.

Casper nodded numbly, his world spinning. He had lost her. Again.

As Susan watched her son’s devastated face, Susan’s heart ached. She needed to do something, anything, to help him.

“Casper, I told you not to see her yet! Why did you go?” she asked, her voice sharp with worry.

“I just wanted to see my wife,” he whispered, his eyes hollow and empty.

“She’s not in the right state of mind to see you now,” Susan said gently, her hand resting on his shoulder.

She watched him walk away, his shoulders slumped in defeat. As soon as he was out of sight, she pulled out her phone and dialed a familiar number.

“Mike, I need your help with something. Get me a detailed report on the girl involved in the accident with Casper. I need it by tomorrow. It’s urgent,” she said, her voice shaking slightly.

She ended the call, her mind racing. She had to know everything about this girl. For her son’s sake, she had to find a way to fix this. No matter how difficult it got, she would protect Casper. She just hoped she wasn’t making a terrible mistake.