The Woman Everyone Thinks I Am

“Oh, God… What am I doing in Isabella Hartley's body?” Lucy whispered, gripping the dressing table. Justin stepped closer, his worried eyes moving between her reflection and her trembling face.

“Isabella, sweetheart, talk to me. What did you mean just now?” he asked gently. “Why are you saying you're in somebody else's body? You're frightening me. Please, look at me.”

Lucy turned sharply. She had said too much. One careless sentence could destroy the little control she had over this impossible situation. Justin knew Isabella, loved her, and would notice anything unusual.

“I don't know,” she replied, forcing her breathing to slow. “I'm scared. Everything feels strange, and I can't understand what's happening to me. I don't remember how I got here.”

Justin approached and carefully touched her shoulder. “You're safe. You're in the hospital, and I'm here with you. You have been unconscious for months, Isabella. Waking up must feel overwhelming.”

“Months?” Lucy repeated, allowing genuine shock to enter her voice. “How can that be possible? I don't remember anything. I don't even know why I'm here.”

“You were involved in a serious accident,” Justin explained. “Your condition was critical, and you never regained consciousness until today. I've been following your treatment since you were admitted.”

“An accident?” she asked. “What kind of accident? Where did it happen? Was anybody else hurt?” The questions came quickly, but she stopped herself before her curiosity became suspicious.

Justin gently guided her toward the bed. “Please sit down first. You shouldn't be standing for long. Your body is weak, and we need to be careful until I finish assessing you.”

Lucy allowed him to help her. She could not afford another collapse, not when she was finally beginning to understand the situation. For now, she needed to appear frightened, vulnerable, and confused.

“Do you remember anything at all?” Justin asked, sitting beside her. “Your accident, your family, your friends? Even a small detail could help me understand how your memory is working.”

Lucy shook her head slowly. “I'm trying, but there's nothing. I remember opening my eyes and seeing you. Everything before that is blank. I think I have amnesia.”

Justin's expression softened. He brushed a loose strand of hair away from her forehead, then pressed a gentle kiss against it. “All right. Don't force yourself. We'll take this slowly.”

“You don't think I'm going crazy?” Lucy asked quietly. The question sounded frightened enough, and she needed him to accept the explanation before he began searching for another one.

“Of course not,” Justin answered immediately. “You've been through something serious. Memory loss can happen after trauma and a long period of unconsciousness. It doesn't mean you've lost your mind.”

“Will I remember again?” she asked, watching him carefully. “What if everything is gone? What if I never remember the people I used to know?”

“It may take a while for your memories to come back,” Justin assured her. “Sometimes they return gradually. Sometimes certain things trigger them. We can't predict the process, but we'll support you.”

“A while?” Lucy repeated. “How long are we talking about? Days? Weeks? Months?” She wanted to know how much time she had before somebody expected her to behave like Isabella.

“I wish I could give you an exact answer,” Justin said. “But I can't promise that. The important thing is that you're awake. That's what I've been praying for.”

He took her hand and held it between both of his. “Do you remember me, at least? Look at me properly, Isabella. Do you know who I am?”

Lucy looked into his eyes. She remembered his name from the moment she had awakened, but admitting that would raise questions about everything else. She let uncertainty settle across her expression.

“I'm sorry,” she murmured. “I know you've been kind to me, but I can't remember your name. I don't remember us. I don't remember anything about my life.”

Justin's fingers tightened slightly around hers. “I'm Justin,” he reminded her. “I'm your boyfriend, Isabella. We've been together for a long time. I thought you'd remember me when you woke up.”

“Your boyfriend?” Lucy repeated, allowing her eyes to widen. “I'm sorry, Justin. I didn't know. I swear I'm not trying to hurt you. I just can't remember.”

“Hey, don't apologise,” he said, leaning closer. “You don't have to explain anything right now. I'm just happy you're here, and that I can finally talk to you again.”

He touched her cheek with unmistakable affection. “Do you know how many times I've imagined this moment? I kept thinking about what I'd say when you finally opened your eyes.”

Lucy looked away before her expression betrayed her. This man had waited for Isabella, worried over her, and loved her through months of silence. She was occupying a place that belonged to someone else.

“I'm sorry I don't remember you,” she said. “You seem important to me. I can see that you're happy I'm awake, but I don't know what I'm supposed to feel.”

Justin gave a small, sad smile. “You don't have to feel anything particular. Just rest. We have time. I'll help you remember the things you want to remember, whenever you're ready.”

“Did we live together?” Lucy asked. “Were we planning to get married? Did I have a family? Please, tell me something about myself, because I feel like a stranger.”

“We didn't live together,” Justin replied. “But we spent almost every day together when our schedules allowed. You were always busy with filming, interviews, and travelling. I understood that.”

He paused, studying her face. “Do you remember the seaside restaurant we visited before your accident? You insisted on sitting outside, even though the weather was terrible.”

Lucy searched her mind, but there was no memory of the restaurant. She could have invented an answer, yet one wrong detail might expose her. “I'm sorry. I can't remember that.”

“It's okay,” Justin said, though disappointment briefly crossed his face. “We went there after your last premiere. You laughed because the wind nearly carried your napkin into the sea.”

“I wish I could remember laughing with you,” Lucy replied. “I wish I could remember anything. It must be painful, watching someone you love look at you like a stranger.”

Justin looked down at their joined hands. “It is painful, but I won't make this about me. You're the one who has to recover. I'll be patient, I promise.”

Lucy nodded, grateful that he had accepted her explanation. “Thank you for not getting angry. I'm frightened that everyone will expect me to remember things, and I'll keep disappointing them.”

“Then we'll tell everyone to be patient,” Justin said. “You don't need to pretend you remember. If something is unfamiliar, ask. If you forget something, tell me.”

“Will the other doctors understand?” she asked. “What if they think I'm making it up because I can't answer their questions? I don't want anybody to believe I'm lying.”