Chap 65
Flavia’s POV
Memories stirred within me. The woman’s words unintentionally brought back all my memories. And now, the man looked at me with his sad gaze.
“Uncle?” The word slipped out of my tongue. I should’ve bitten my tongue. The face of the man I loved now paled in surprise. I shouldn’t have addressed him like that. Didn’t we agree that I would call him ‘Dear’?
Yes, my memory returned. And the memories during my memory loss were still intact, not a single one lost.
“Via…” I turned. Abigail was still faithfully waiting for me, always like that. Oh God, my heart felt grateful yet sinful towards her. Why was she always good to me even though I always acted wickedly towards the people she loved? Towards Gladwin and the man’s mother.
“Abby…” I greeted. The girl held my hand, squeezing it tightly. Somehow, I felt desperation in that squeeze. Or was it just my thoughts?
“What’s happening? Do you remember something?” She asked, curious. I tried to recall what was racing through my mind.
Phoebe. That name immediately pierced through the fog in my mind.
“I saw Phoebe coming down from the second floor. Did she come to see you? What did she say?” Abigail’s voice was laden with concern.
“Phoebe?” This time, I heard my husband’s voice. “So, what do you mean?”
“Yes, the woman doctor. She’s Phoebe. I saw her leaving as I just parked, and immediately I ran to the third floor to find Flavia. It seems she knew Flavia was alone in the café. Otherwise, she wouldn’t dare to come.” Abigail voiced her suspicion. Then her gaze shifted back to me. “What did she say to you? Did she threaten you? Did she intimidate you?” Again, her questions were filled with worry.
I could only muster a faint smile. “Nothing serious. She came to reveal some facts.” I answered honestly. “Uncle, how are you?” I asked my husband even though we had just met this morning. I remembered everything that had happened in the past ten months. But somehow, I felt longing for him now even though he was in front of me.
“What’s wrong, Darling? We just met this morning.” He asked anxiously.
I just smiled. Alright, I decided I could do whatever I wanted. Right? After all, he’s my husband now. Anything I want to do to him now is permissible, not a sin. I reached for his hand, squeezing it gently and smiled. I tried to rise from my bed, and faithfully he helped me.
“I’m fine, my dear,” my voice made Gladwin look surprised. His eyebrows twitched slightly before he smiled and embraced me. “Can we go home? Being in the hospital makes me uncomfortable,” I pleaded. I glanced at Abigail, and the girl nodded in agreement.
“Not yet, wait for the IV fluid to finish,” Abigail replied.
“Why don’t we take the IV with us and Uncle can remove it at home. Is that okay?” I suggested. I looked at Gladwin, and he nodded. Then he went to the administrative area, leaving me alone with Abigail.
“Is your memory fully back?” She inquired. I simply nodded in response. “All of it?” I nodded again. “Even the last ten months?” I smiled tightly and nodded again. “She really said something to you, didn’t she?” For the umpteenth time, I nodded. “Damn! What did she say to you?” This time Abigail’s voice rose. I reached for her hand gently.
“Later. I’ll tell you everything later.” I answered. I just wanted to talk when it’s just the two of us. I didn’t want any interruptions from anyone, and Abigail agreed with a nod.
“Did you leave an important meeting?” I asked when Gladwin returned from the administrative room. I just realized my husband was still wearing his dark brown suit with a cream-colored shirt. He didn’t look as neat as he did this morning because his tie was loose, and so were the top two buttons of his shirt.
“Not a too important meeting,” he replied flatly. “Shall we go home now?” He asked again, and I nodded. Abigail followed us from behind. She walked towards her car while I got into my husband’s car. “Darling…” I turned, my husband seemed to be looking straight ahead. “Everything’s alright, isn’t it?” He asked, glancing briefly in my direction. I nodded, trying to smile in front of him. There was a lot I wanted to say, but not now. Later, I promised myself silently.
I reached for my husband’s hand, which was holding the gearshift. I had promised to do everything I wanted, right? Even though I only had two months left. Consider this like the last plea of someone at the brink of death.
“I’m fine. You don’t need to worry,” I reassured him. My husband turned his hand so that our palms faced each other. Then he intertwined our fingers and gently kissed the back of my hand.
“Don’t hide anything from me. Please,” he pleaded. I simply nodded. My dear Gladwin. The love I’ve been holding onto all this time.
Author’s POV
They had reached the apartment basement. Abigail had leaned back in her car when they arrived, engrossed in her phone. The girl liked to speed if she didn’t have passengers.
Gladwin helped Flavia out of the car. There was only a little left of her IV. In less than half an hour, the fluid would surely be depleted. They walked side by side towards the elevator. Abigail pressed the button for their floor while Gladwin faithfully held Flavia’s waist with one hand and carried the IV, which he had turned off, with the other.
They entered the apartment. Abigail went into her room and came back out with a hanger stand, using it to hang the IV. Meanwhile, Gladwin headed to the pantry and made hot chocolate for Flavia. The sweet aroma wafted through the air, tempting Flavia.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
“So?” Abigail felt like her mouth would widen if she restrained herself any longer. “Did you regain your memory?” She reiterated. Flavia nodded. “All of it? Before and after your memory loss?” Flavia nodded again. “And this has something to do with that damn female doctor?” Flavia nodded once more. “Tell me what she said,” she demanded, her tone forceful.
Flavia glanced between Abigail and Gladwin alternately. “She said exactly what she said before I lost my memory,” she answered honestly.
Flavia didn’t want to hide anymore. Let Gladwin know everything; after all, he wasn’t spreading rumors because it was the truth. Gladwin was now her husband, the man who had promised her safety. And Flavia would indeed entrust herself under his protection.
“A while before I lost my memory, we met at the hospital. Or more precisely, she came to see me. She said she knew about the accident I had six years ago and its effects. According to her, I’m just a disabled woman who can’t bear children.”
Abigail covered her mouth, restraining her shock. While Gladwin seemed to clench his jaw, the veins in his neck bulging as he held back his anger.
“She said she had the power for such information. Well, maybe you understand better about patient data authorization and such.” Flavia looked at her husband and murmured her thanks as she accepted the chocolate offered by Gladwin. “She knew that the accident had a negative impact on my uterus. And earlier, she repeated the same thing. And she also warned me about the remaining two months I have.” Flavia glanced at Gladwin again while Abigail looked at the couple alternately, puzzled.
“Two months?” Abigail’s forehead furrowed. “What’s that about? Is there something I don’t know?” She asked, her tone demanding.