Chapter two

Chapter two.

Evelyn’s POV.

The doctor's piercing gaze locked onto mine, his eyes assessing me intensely. 

“This is unusual,” he said, scanning the clipboard, his tone confident. "You did hit your head, but the tests don't show any memory loss. Cases like this are extremely rare, almost unheard of.”

I remained silent, gripping the blanket that draped over me. My heart pounds in my chest as he studies me further, hoping he wouldn't expose my secret. 

His gaze flickered toward my husband. No, Ethan, who stands by the doors. His posture stiff, his expression unreadable, the sight of him sends a cold shiver down my spine. 

“If you don't mind,” the doctor says.“ I would like to speak to my patient alone for a moment.”  

Ethan didn’t move at first, his fingers twitch, his jaw clenches, but after a brief hesitation, he nods. 

His eyes lingered on me for a second, too long before he turned and stepped out of the room, shutting the door behind him. 

The moment he's gone, I release the breath I never realized I was holding. The doctor tilts his head. 

“Now tell me the truth. What is happening?” He raises an eyebrow. 

My throat tightens, my nails dig into my palms. I should stay quiet, pretend I don't know anything, but I can't. The doctor will find out eventually. 

I met his gaze. "I lied," I whispered, my voice barely audible. 

"Excuse me." He blinked rapidly, taken aback. I swallowed hard, steeling myself to continue. 

"I didn't lose my memory," I said, my voice shaking. I forced myself to take a deep breath. "I remembered everything.”

 He frowned his brow and he took a step forward. “Then why?”

“Because my husband tried to kill me.” 

The doctor's eyes widened, his grip on the clipboard tightening. 

“That is a serious accusation,” he says carefully, “are you sure about this……”

I explained everything to the doctor, from the call to the car malfunctioning. Even if it wasn't my husband but someone out there wants to end my life and I needed to take this path to know why. 

“Please help me,” I pleaded. 

But he refused, explaining how his licence could be seized. I grab his shirt, desperation clawing at my throat. I begged, promising to keep this a secret and I would pay him if that's what he wanted. 

After much pleading, he finally agreed. 

Relief flows through me. But before I could say anything, the door opens and Ethan steps inside. His eyes scanned the room. 

“Everything alright?” He asked, raising his eyebrow. 

I held my breath, my eyes darting to the doctor.

 “She will need time to recover, but she is stable for now,” he says smoothly. 

Ethan nods, then turns to me with a false smile.

 “I will get you something to eat.” My stomach clenched. 

The thought of him bringing me food makes bile rise on my throat. I don't trust him. I can't, what if he poisons me?

As soon as he left, I stood up pacing around, I needed help. I need to get out of here, no matter how hard it is.

And there is only one person who could help me at this moment, my best friend, Olivia, my sister in everything but blood. 

 I picked up Ethan's phone from the chair he had placed it, my fingers shaking as I tried to unlock it.

I entered the password, but the screen flashed: "Wrong password." My chest tightened with anxiety. I tried again, but the same message appeared.

Damn it! He changed his password. 

Panic set in but then I spotted the hospital telephone at the nursing station. My only chance is to call my best friend, Olivia. If she was able to get to this place, then I would be safe. 

Ignoring the dizziness in my head, I slip out of bed and make my way to the phone. 

I picked up the phone, my fingers shaking as I dialed Olivia's number. It rang once, twice, and then went dead. My head throbbed, but I ignored the pain and tried calling again. Still, the call dropped.

I suck on to my lower lips. Anger seemed beneath my calm face. 

Then relief washed over me the moment I saw Olivia entering the hospital. I opened my mouth to call out to her but then I saw Ethan with her. Standing close to her, talking and smiling at the same time. 

It was weird because Ethan and Olivia were sworn enemies. Maybe he had called her to come check on me. Maybe. 

Then, in the brief honour of a second, they leaned in and kissed. For a moment my heart stopped beating. 

No, this can't be real. This must be a dream. 

Ethan, my husband of five years, and Olivia, my best friend since childhood. The two of them kissed like lovers. 

My knees nearly buckled but I grip the edge of the decks to keep myself standing. My chest squeezed. My breath comes in shallow, breaking gaps.

 I wanted to look away, to turn back and pretend I'd never seen them. But my eyes felt frozen, unable to tear away from the scene before me.

I watched as he leaned and kissed Olivia's round stomach. 

And then it hit me, Olivia never told me who the father of her child was. I thought she was just embarrassed and ashamed, but now everything falls into place.

The child is Ethan's.

 A searing pain swelled in my throat, but I forced it down. My body shook violently, my fingers numb with shock. 

How could they betray me like this?

I gave Ethan my all - my love, loyalty, and trust. And this is how he repays me? With lies? Olivia, my sister in every way except blood, the one person I trusted more than anyone. And she stabbed me in the back.

But was this really why Ethan tried to kill me? If he just wanted Olivia, why not divorce me or leave me? 

No, there was more to it.

There was something I was missing, something he didn't want me to know. I had to uncover the truth before he got another chance to kill me for good.