Chapter 5

Venus lay awake in the dark. Sleep refused to come. The room was too quiet, and the silence pressed down in on her, making it hard for her to breathe. Her eyes stayed open, fixed on the ceiling above her.

Her mind wouldn’t stop.

Who am I?

What happened to me?

Why can’t I remember anything?

Why is no one coming for me?

Do they think I’m dead?

She closed her eyes, hoping it would help, but it didn’t. The questions just kept spinning.

She shifted slightly on the bed. Her ribs and shoulder still hurt, but it barely mattered. Nothing hurt more than not knowing who she is. Her thoughts were louder than her pain.

The first light of morning crept through the curtains. She sat up slowly. Her body felt heavy and weak, but her mind was wide awake and afraid.

A knock at the door made her look up.

The nurse came in. “Good morning. “You’re awake early.” She smiled gently. How are you feeling this morning?

“Tired,” Venus admitted. “And… lost.”

“That’s normal,” the nurse said softly. “Your brain and your body are still recovering.” It will take time.”

Venus’s eyes followed her as she checked the machines and checked her vitals.

“Has anyone asked for me?” she asked

The nurse paused, her hands stilling for just a moment. “No,” she admitted. “No family has come forward.”

Venus looked away. That answer hurt her more.

“I’ll come back later to check on you,” the nurse said gently, glancing at her chart before leaving the room.

The door closed softly behind her.

Venus lay back against the pillow and stared at the ceiling. Shadows moved slowly across the wall as time passed. Every second felt heavy like a question she couldn’t answer.

A few minutes later, the door opened again.

Venus turned her head, the nurse returned with a small, polite smile.

“Someone is here to see you.” the nurse said.

Venus stiffened. A visitor?

Before she could ask who, the nurse stepped aside.

A man walked in.

He was tall, neatly dressed, with dark hair that fell slightly over his forehead. His eyes were calm.

“You’re awake,” he said.

“Yes,” Venus replied. Her voice sounded smaller and fragile.

“You… you brought me here?” she asked. “You found me?”

“Yes,” he said. “You were on the side of the road. You were badly hurt and unconscious. I brought you in.”

Her heart skipped. “Do you know me?” she asked quickly. “My family? My name? Anything?

“Yes,” he said. “I know who you are.”

“You… you know me? Her words stumbled. But you’re not telling me?”

“Not yet,” he said, a faint smile touching his lips.

“Why not?” she asked, frustration creeping in.

“I need to know what you can handle first,” he said. “And what you can’t. But not yet. Right now, you need to focus on yourself.”

Venus frowned. “What does that mean?”

“Just focus on getting better,” he said. “Nothing else matters right now.”

Why isn't he saying anything? She thought What if I don’t like who I am? What if he knows something terrible about me?

“And you?” she asked, her eyes narrowing. “What about you?”

He smiled faintly, but didn’t answer. For a moment, it felt like he wanted to, but didn’t.

The door opened. Dr. Adrian Keller stepped in with clipboard in hand.

“You’re awake,” he said. “Good. You’re both here. How are you feeling?”

“Confused,” Venus said. “And empty.”

“That’s normal,” the doctor said. “Your body is recovering well. If everything goes smoothly, you can leave in a few days.”

“Leave?” Her voice shook. “Doc, I don’t know who I am. I don’t remember where I live. Where am I supposed to go? I have no one. Please… give me more time.”

Yes,” the doctor said. “We’ll make sure you’re safe. You won’t be sent anywhere dangerous.”

Ryan’s eyes stayed on her. “I can help,” he said quietly.

Venus turned toward him sharply. “How?”

“I can have you stay with me,” he said evenly.

Her mind raced. Stay with him? I don’t even know him. I don’t remember him. How can I trust him?

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she said, forcing steadiness into her voice.

“You’re refusing?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. Her throat was tight, her voice small but steady.

He didn’t argue. He just nodded. It's fine. “I understand.”

Dr. Keller cleared his throat. “We’ll make other arrangements. No need to decide right away. “Take it slow. No rush. You’re doing fine.”

After the doctor left, the room felt quieter than before.

Venus leaned back, trying to breathe. I can’t. I don’t even know who he is. How can I let him in… already?

Ryan stepped back, toward the door. “Maybe it’s better this way,” he said.

“Better how?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“You get to move forward,” he replied. “Without someone else’s past weighing on you.”

He reached for the door handle.

Something inside her twisted. Fear? Curiosity? Instinct? She didn’t know. But she couldn’t let him go.

“Wait,” she said.

He froze, hand on the door handle.

“I don’t know who you are,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear clawing inside her. “But I don’t want to be alone while I figure things out.”

He paused, For a moment, he didn’t move.

He turned back slowly, pulled a chair closer and sat beside her bed.

“I… I don’t understand,” she said carefully, “Why do you… why do you want to help me?”

His gaze stayed on her face.

“My name is Ryan,” he said.

She nodded slowly. “Thank you, Ryan… for everything you’ve done for me.”

He inclined his head. “It’s my pleasure.”

She hesitated, then asked softly, “Since you know me… can you tell me my name?”

His gaze softened. “Venus,” he said.

“Venus,” she repeated. The name felt like a small anchor in her mind. Something familiar in the middle of all the confusion.

She looked at him again. “I don’t know who you are. I don’t know anything about you.” She hesitated. “But… I feel like I can trust you.”

Ryan didn’t answer.

His fingers tightened slowly around the arm of the chair.