LOGINI’m scared.Dr. William asked me to start recounting everything I remembered from that night—the night Steffano said I still had missing memories from.My mind was a mess.If Steffano wasn’t beside me right now, I honestly didn’t know what I would do.I feel like I’m losing my mind.The hallucinations… the recurring nightmares… they terrify me.But at the same time, I want to remember.I need to remember what really happened that night.I want to know who tried to kill me… and who framed me for their crime.“So you believe the version Rebecca remembers isn’t what actually happened that night?” Dr. William asked.“Yes,” Steffano answered quietly.The doctor nodded thoughtfully.“This may be a case of selective amnesia, Steffano.”“Selective amnesia?”“Yes. It’s a form of memory loss where a person blocks out specific events or details while the rest of their memories remain intact.” He folded his hands together calmly. “It’s usually connected to trauma or extreme emotional distress. So
FERDIE“What are you talking about?” I asked shakily. “What letters? What child?”Geraldine frowned at me.“You really don’t know?”“I don’t,” I admitted honestly. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she shook her head.“Then Carol probably intercepted every letter I sent you.” Her smile faded. “She was probably the one replying to me too… telling me to stay away from your family.” Her eyes darkened painfully. “I guess that was her revenge.”I swallowed hard.Suddenly, memories started flooding back—how much more distant Caroline became during Rebecca’s pregnancy. How our marriage slowly crumbled despite believing she had forgiven me for my mistake.But she never truly did.“Are you saying…” My voice cracked. “We had
STEFFANO“So where exactly are we going?” Rebecca asked, her attention still fixed on Savvy as she waved goodbye to him. Lucian and Boston would be taking him back to the hospital.The moment their car disappeared down the road, I reached for her hand.I glanced one last time at Glo’s grave and silently promised her that the next time I came back, I’d bring the justice she deserved.“We’re going to see someone who can help you.”This should’ve happened a long time ago.“Help me with what?” she asked, brows furrowed deeply as she looked at me.“You’ll understand when we get there,” I replied before guiding her toward the car.She sighed softly. “Can’t we do this another day? Whatever mysterious place you’ve been refusing to tell me about all afternoon?”“Why?” I touched her forehead immediately. “Are you tired? Are you feeling sick again?”She smiled faintly and took my hand away.“No. I’m just worried about you. Between the two of us, you’re the one who never rests.”I gently rested h
I woke up to sunlight hitting my face.The damp washcloth slipped from my forehead as I sat up. My eyes immediately searched the bed beside me for Steffano, knowing he’d stayed by my side the entire night, taking care of me.A smile spread across my lips when the mattress dipped and strong arms wrapped around me from behind.“Good morning,” Steffano murmured, pressing a hand to my forehead. “Good. Your fever’s gone now.”I hugged him back. “That’s because I had a really good nurse taking care of me.”He laughed softly. “Then I deserve a reward for being such a good nurse.”I looked up at him with a smile and burst out laughing when he puckered his lips dramatically, clearly pointing at them.“Later,” I teased. “I need to brush my teeth first.”I squealed when he suddenly pulled me down onto the bed.“You don’t have to,” he said between laughs, pinning me beneath him. “I don’t care what your breath smells like or tastes like.”“Steffano!” I smacked his arm in embarrassment. “You’re imp
FERDIE WATSON(Rebecca’s Father)“Medically speaking, I don’t see any reason for your wife to remain in this condition,” Caroline’s doctor explained after reviewing her chart. “If her next set of labs come back stable, we can discharge her by next week. She can continue her therapy sessions as an outpatient instead. It’ll also help lessen your hospital expenses.”“Thank you, Doc,” I said quietly as the doctor excused himself.I walked over to Caroline and adjusted the blanket over her legs.She remained staring blankly ahead, as though she still couldn’t see anything around her.“Carol…” I sat beside her bed, voice heavy. “What do you want me to do to bring you back to us? I need your testimony. I need to know where our daughter is.” My throat tightened. “I know you know something. Why were you at their house that night? Where’s Rebecca? It’s impossible that she did this to you. I know our daughter. Rebecca would never hurt you. That girl loved you more than anyone.” I swallowed hard.
STEFFANO“It’s c-cold,” Rebecca murmured weakly when I placed the damp washcloth on her forehead.After we got home, she had fallen asleep not long after eating a little and taking her medicine. I’d been planning to go somewhere after everything she told me earlier, but when I went to tell her I was leaving, I found her burning up with fever instead.I’d thought she would feel better, like she claimed she would.But she didn’t.Her fever only got worse, yet she still refused to go to the hospital.“Your temperature isn’t going down,” I told her gently, stopping her when she tried to remove the cloth from her forehead. “This will help cool you down.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “Keep fighting me and I really will drag you back to the hospital.”She finally lowered her hand.A few moments later, her breathing deepened, a sign that she’d fallen asleep again.I adjusted the blanket over her before stepping outside onto the bedroom balcony.I lit a cigarette and took several long drags whil
“Mommy! Don’t go!”I cried out as I watched my mom dragging her suitcase toward the door.I struggled against Grandma’s grip and ran after her, throwing my arms around her waist.“Please don’t go, Mommy! I—I promise I’ll be good!”She gently pried my arms away and knelt in front of me.“I’m sorry,
“Dad, put an apron on Mom. She forgot to wear one,” Savvy instructed.He conveniently ignored the fact that he wasn’t wearing one either—his shirt already dusted with flour.“And why did you remind me about your mom but not me?” Steffano asked.
“W-what are those?” I asked, my voice trembling as I stared at the wall.Even though it felt like knives were stabbing into my chest, I couldn’t look away—especially from the photos of Tim.“That’s the crime scene,” Steffano said evenly. &ld
“Luckily, it’s just a strain. No broken bones,” Alexa said. “But make sure you let your arm rest and avoid moving it too much. Are you sure you don’t want a sling?”I shook my head, glancing at the elastic bandage wrapped around my wrist and up my arm. A







