Chapter 2

The ride home was long and awkward. The doctor had diagnosed her with temporary amnesia and her ‘family’ had insisted on her discharge and that she be taken home to receive further treatments. Since she had woken up, she had learnt that her name was Amelia, her family was wealthy and she was married to the gorgeous man. His name was Daniel. She couldn’t stop staring.

“How long are you going to keep staring for?” He said, his deep breaking the silence. He was right, ever since we had gotten into the car, she had been staring at his facial features.

‘How could a jaw be so chiseled?’ Like it was made of stone.

“Oh, I’m sorry” she apologized, immediately diverting her gaze.

“You really don’t remember anything?” He asked.

“No,” she replied. “Have we been married for a long time?”

“Two months”

“Oh” that wasn't long at all.

They stopped at a large, magnificent gate and immediately, someone had come to open it and they drove into a massive estate. The grand entrance and manicured gardens took her breath away. He parked the car in the driveway and led her into the main mansion. Stepping inside, she marveled at the opulent foyer with its sparkling chandeliers and marble floors.

Each room revealed a new facet of luxury—a private library filled with books, a state-of-the-art home theater, and an art gallery adorned with masterpieces. Outdoors, an infinity pool, tennis court, and serene walking trails offered leisure and tranquility.

“It’s amazing” She muttered, causing a puzzled look from Daniel.

“This is your room” He stated. “This is your wing of the mansion.”

‘Wing?’

“What do you mean?” she asked in confusion. “I have a separate space from yours”

He took a deep breath. “Amelia,” he paused “we aren’t married by our will”

“How?”

“Our parents forced this on us. You hated this marriage” he let out a small laugh and stopped when he noticed the disappointment on her face.

“I don’t understand,” She whimpered.

“Go inside, freshen up and rest a bit. When it’s dinner time I’ll explain everything to you” he rubbed her arm and left.

“Ma’am” a lady dressed in black came. “I’ll help you with that”

“Who’re you?”

“I’m Anita, your personal attendant, ma’am” She replied.

* * *

Apparently, the only reason she was married to this gorgeous man was for the growth and stability of his and her father’s company. Her attendant had told her everything while she helped her sort herself out.

She had gone down to the pool after dinner, desperate to find answers within the memories she had lost.

‘Who was she?’ ‘What was her actual identity?’

"Isn't it too late for a swim?” Daniel was standing behind her.

She gasped in surprise. “Well, I’m not exactly swimming, my legs are only in the pool.”

“Fancy that!” He said as he sat beside her.

“What’re you doing out here?” She asked.

He handed her a wallet. “They found your wallet and id”

She opened it and took out the card. On it was her picture and details, it read:

‘Name: Amelia Williams

Age: 22 years

D.O.B: 8 July, 1997’

“You had disappeared on your birthday” He said, looking into the distance “we searched for you for days”

“Does anyone know why?” she asked and he shook his head.

“Anita told me that we never got along,” she chuckled, “that we could barely go one conversation without fighting.”

“…”

“She said that you’ve changed your demeanour towards me, but it’s probably because I’m not completely fine yet,” She continued.

Daniel kept silent for a while before he spoke in a somber tone, “when you left… when we found you after a few days in the hospital, you were pale as snow.” He swallowed in painful remembrance, “The doctor said your lungs were swollen and filled with water when you were brought into the hospital. You had drowned” Daniel looked at her.

“Drowned?”

“Yes, Amelia. Drowned.” He confirmed, “Your body was found in a river along with a note”

“What did it say?”

“Nothing. Only your name”

“Amelia…”

“It was a suicide. You had taken your own life”

“WHAT?!” Addison exclaimed in shock.

“And I knew why,” Daniel continued, ignoring her. “This marriage. Everything was hell for you and all you ever wanted was to be free.” He took another deep breath. “We grew up as friends before our parents imposed this on us, and now we couldn’t even talk without getting angry at each other”

“So, that’s why you changed”.

“You’ve changed also, maybe it’s because of your condition but…,” He smiled and reached out for her hand, holding it tightly, “I think I prefer this Amelia.”

She smiled back.

“I’m silently praying that the mismatched screws in your head have been permanently corrected.” He said with a chuckle. She smiled as she watched his perfect teeth reflect the light.

“Me too”

* * *

It’d been days since her discharge but she hadn’t been to Daniel’s company. He had recommended that she come since she would need to relearn a few things now. His secretary was giving her a tour.

“James,” she interrupted him mid-sentence, “that’s enough now. You’ve shown me basically everywhere, I’d like to look around on my own now”. He reluctantly nodded and left.

She was at the marketing floor of this 47 story skyscraper, and it was by far the busiest she’d been to today. Workers were everywhere, busy doing one thing or the other.

“Excuse me” she heard a lady say as she brushed past her. “Addison?” the lady said as she stopped, looking intently at her. “Is that you?”

“What…?” Addison said in confusion.

“It’s you!” the lady smirked in disbelief, her remarkable emerald eyes sparkling in discovery. “you wench! You faked your death for me, huh?” She charged towards Addison and pushed her, Addison stumbled.

“What are you doi…?” She started

“What are you doing here?” the lady interrupted with another push. “How dare you come here? Who the hell let a wretched thing like you in?”

“Agh” Addison winced in pain. ‘Who on earth was this woman harassing her? What the hell was she ranting about?’

“You rat! You tried to fake your death thinking you could run away from me. Never!” She said as she raised her hands for another push at Addison but ended up hitting a wall.

Addison was pulled to the side by a tall figure. She looked up, it was Daniel, her heart beamed for joy as her face touched his firm chest.

“Mr. Williams?” the lady said, startled.

“What the hell do you think you are doing?!” His voice boomed.