“Who was that?” Rachel asked over her shoulders as she stood before the mirror, putting on her jewelry.The full length mirror reflected her image, doing its job just as it did while Lilian occupied the room.As they had discussed, she and Bruce had gotten married at the city hall. It was a quiet wedding with only family members present as they were trying to keep away from the press.The vile woman, Rachel, didn't hesitate to take over Lilian’s room. She had immediately erased all traces of Lilian. It was as though Lilian had never lived there as Rachel redecorated the entire space to her taste.From the corner of her eyes, Rachel could see Bruce's reflection as he approached her with a smile plastered over his face. He was dressed up neatly in a black suit and ready for the evening's event.He reached her in no time and wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her from behind. He rested his chin on her shoulders and she watched him from the mirror with curiosity, waiting for an exp
Ashley's eyes were big and graced with dark circles by the morning when she stepped out of her room. DJ was seated in the living room, idly waiting for her. He smiled once he set his eyes on her descending the stairs. “You’re awake.” “Did you just arrive?” She asked as she approached him. “No. I've been here awhile. I was told you were still sleeping and I didn't want to wake you up.” He replied with tenderness. She hadn't been asleep. She had stayed awake all through the night unable to sleep, pondering over what Paul had told her. It had been difficult for Ashley to convince Paul that she really couldn't remember a thing. He was convinced that she was only pretending. It made her wonder what kind of life she had lived before she got in the accident. She thought it was absurd that she had been sleeping with her step brother. But she didn't tell him that. She dared not. Not when he was already fuming over her rejection. She was more than grateful that he didn't try to force
The hall was filled with people glamorously dressed. Rich organ music filtered through the air, blending smoothly with the light chatters and laughters of the guests. Waiters moved around holding flat trays sitting flute glasses filled with champagne. A buffet table generously adorned with various meals sat at an accessible corner of the hall. Mr and Mrs Leon stood amidst a small group laughing over small talks. “Where are you going?” Mr Leon whispered to his wife who had just excused herself. “Bruce and Rachel are not here.” She explained, a bit of angst laced her voice. “Are you going to bring them from their home?” Mr Leon asked. He didn't try to veneer the sarcasm in his tone. “No. I'm just going to call them. The chairman is about to get on the stage. What will happen if Bruce is called and he is not here?” “Relax woman! They are already on their way.” Mr Leon said sternly to his wife. “Allow them be.” “Oh, Mrs Fox is here. I'll just ask her instead.” “Bruce and Rachel ar
“I'm so sorry. I ruined the evening.” Ashley apologized in a small voice as DJ joined her in the car.Her hand massaged her throbbing temples. She had wanted to be away from the house. She was trying to avoid Paul. That's why she wanted to go with DJ to this event.It was a glamorous event, beautifully prepared, but Ashley couldn't stay. Too many people and too noisy for her. Not what she needed.At this point in her life, everything triggered her headache. She thought she could manage it through the evening, but it only kept growing worse and she had to tell DJ.DJ settled into the driver's seat and buckled his seatbelt.“You didn't ruin anything.” He reassured her.He didn't appreciate the fact that she suddenly felt dizzy at the event, but he was grateful to be out of there sooner than supposed.He felt suffocating there. Ordinarily, DJ would never have attended the event, but because Ashley had requested, and Dr Tony had said not to do anything that would force her to trigger.DJ
The drive back afterwards was quiet. Each one was consumed in his own thoughts.DJ absorbed himself with the thoughts of the softness of Ashley's lips, recalling how it felt to kiss her, holding her as close as he did. He wanted to do it again and maybe take things a little further but he knew better. She wasn't ready. He has to take things slow.Ashley on the other hand couldn't stop questioning herself, asking if she had done the right thing by letting him kiss her.She didn't want to lead him into believing something that isn't real. She still didn't know if she loved him in her past life and she definitely didn't know if she loved him now.He had said he loved her and that's why he's sticking with her, helping her to remember what living was. But she had questions, doubts.DJ was incomparable, too good to be true. Was it only love that kept him with her? Was there something else? Some other reason that she didn't know?“How are you feeling now?” DJ's voice filtered through her t
“You're spending quite a lot of time with that boyfriend of yours.” Paul taunted Ashley. “Where did you two go?”She had just placed a foot at the foot of the stairs and wasn't expecting anyone to appear behind her.Slowly, she turned to meet Paul. “We attended an event.” Within her, she couldn't understand why she was suddenly explaining to Paul.“You don't remember me, but you remember him. And you expect me to believe that you're not faking all of this?” Paul's words seemed to be coming from a place of hurt and pain in his heart and Ashley couldn't help but feel pity for him. He sounded so certain about his claims and she didn't know what to believe.Like DJ, did he also love her? Or was their supposed relationship just to pass time? What kind of games had she been playing in her past life? And for what reason?“Ashley.” Paul called and moved closer to her. His earnest gaze rested on her. “Are you still mad at me over our last fight? Is that what this is about? I already told yo
“Have you been getting enough rest?” Dr Tony asked as he switched off the pen torch he used to examine Ashley.Ashley nodded her head negatively in response to his question.“And how is the headache?” “Worse. And I feel dizzy too often.” “That is likely to happen as you are not getting much sleep… Are you using the pills I gave you regularly?”“I missed a few days.” She answered truthfully.Dr Tony kept his stern gaze on her. She was doing everything he had instructed her not to do.“I forget sometimes.” Ashley explained in response to the disapproval in his gaze.“Do you enjoy the pain?... You don't seem to want to get better, Ashley. You're not following the instructions I had given you. Instead, you're doing the exact opposite.”Tony kept a straight eye on Ashley. “Don't you want to remember your past?”Tony's question only earned him a glance from Ashley. She didn't respond to his question. At this point she wasn't certain what she wanted. Not after what she discovered last nigh
Ashley nervously smooths her hand over her dress for the nth time. DJ had picked her up for dinner at his parents house. They stood by the door and he patiently waited for Ashley to collect herself. He couldn't understand why she insisted they come here when it made her this nervous. Left to him, he'd rather be somewhere else than here. But Ashley had the inexplicable need to make it up to his brother. If only she knew. He looked at her. “Ready now?” She passed him a nervous look, a subtle plea for a few more minutes. “We could cancel this, you know. We don't have to be here if you're not up for it.” He offered, silently hoping that she would change her mind and they'd just turn around and leave. “No no no. I'm just…” She inhaled sharply. “Let's go.” She said, wearing a shaky smile. I raised my brow at her seeking confirmation before taking my next action. Ashley nodded a ‘go ahead’ at me. I raised my hand and rang the doorbell. It didn't take long before we were ushered into
Tears pulled at Knox's eyes. She remembered him. She didn't forget her new life. He was grateful that he hadn't yet again lost a daughter. Everything would be as it were. He would be her father and she would be his daughter.Tony on the other hand was thankful that his practice would not not be affected. He didn't deny the fact that what he had helped his friend do was illegal and he feared the consequences.DJ was happy that he wouldn’t again be a part of her forgotten memories and he wouldn't be starting all over again in winning her trust.Only Bruce had a neutral expression. He was only glad that such a beautiful girl didn't lose her life.Tony smiled at Ashley. “That's good.” He commended her. Tony turned to the nurse. “Have you given her the injection?” The nurse nodded in response.“You should get some rest now.” Tony told Ashley. “You’ll need to regain your strength.”“When do I get discharged?” Ashley asked. “I want to go home.” Dr Tony was taken aback by her question, but
Ashley had lazily opened her eyes to the unfamiliar room. As her heavy eyes roved around the room, trying to figure out where she was, they met with the eyes of the strange man staring worriedly at her. “Who are you?” She asked. Her voice barely above a whisper.She watched as the man's eyes flew wide with fear.“Ashley?” He said.It was a vaguely familiar call and in that instance, it hit her. The sharp piercing pain at the back of head. Memories of a past locked in the deep recess of her mind and that of the past few days collided, clashing and battling for dominance in her mind.Lilian, Ashley, Bruce, DJ. Who was she? Her heart raced. Her pulse palpated. She felt a decline in her insides before she gave in to darkness.The faint voices, so closed yet so distant, floated in her mind. She could faintly hear the conversation between two people. She felt exhausted. The fierce mind battle she had fought had drained her. Now she was focusing on calming her racing heart.There was no w
The ground spinned under Mr Knox's feet. His heart skipped many beats and raced when it picked up. He felt as though his essence was seeping out of him.“Ashley?” He whispered.Ashley suddenly jerked her chest up and her eyes bulged, growing wide like saucers. The ECG machine beeped rapidly as she propped her upper body as though she was taking her last breath.Dazed, Mr Knox tripped back. His senses picked up and he ran for the door, darting his gaze between the path before him and the epileptic Ashley on the bed.Knox yanked the door, poked his head out and yelled out to Tony who was thankfully still waking down the hallway.“Tony! Come fast! I think something is wrong. She woke up… She…” Knox stammered in his agitation.Tony was quick on his heels. He pushed past Knox and stepped inside the room.DJ and Bruce, who had stayed back, waiting by the cabin after their argument, followed behind Tony.“I… I don't know what happened… I… She woke up… Looked at me… Opened her eyes. Then all
“What did you just say?” DJ asked as he strode into the room.Bruce followed behind him. He had helped DJ carry Ashley to the car when she fainted at their house. The ambulance was taking forever to arrive and DJ didn't want to wait doing nothing, so he insisted on taking Ashley to the hospital himself.Mr Leon had suggested that Bruce drive his brother to the hospital as DJ was not in the right frame of mind to drive.Bruce ended up bringing them to the hospital. He was just about to leave after DJ expressed his sincere gratitude when they glanced over to where Knox and Dr Tony stood by the door to Ashley's cabin.The rush with which Knox had charged into the room alerted DJ that something was wrong.He quickly sprinted for the door into which Knox had disappeared. He wanted to find out for himself what was happening with Ashley. Bruce instinctively ran after him and they were met with Dr Tony's announcement. His reaction was just as the same as Mr Knox's.“How old is the pregnancy?
“How could you let this happen?” Tony rebuked Knox who had the lines of worry embellished all over his expression.He had just stepped out of Ashley's Ward where he just finished examining her. He was still standing by the door when Knox approached him. Ashley had to undergo a minor surgery to stitch back her open wound. Knox had left the concerned group, DJ and his brother at the far end of the hall to speak privately with Tony. “How is she? Will she be alright?” Knox questioned, ignoring Tony's reprove. His concern was focused more on the girl, Ashley, his daughter.He had almost died in the instant he received the distressing call from DJ. He immediately made arrangements for Ashley to be taken to Dr Tony. A doctor who was familiar with her medical history.“She suffered a major concussion. The wound reopened. We had to stitch it again… Thankfully, she's stable now.”“And?” Knox asked anxiously, fearing the worst. It was a question Tony understood and he gave his honest response.
“You’ve come!” Mrs Leon beamed from behind the others, pushing past them to welcome her favourite son, Bruce and his wife.Bruce returned his mother's greeting distractedly as his gaze darted between the company of DJ, his father and the strange lady.“They came in early and are already leaving because his fiance seems to always fall sick at important events.” Mrs Leon took the liberty to explain to Bruce who was staring at DJ, surprised that he was on his way out.“Sarah!” Mr Leon addressed his wife by her first name. He was totally disgusted by her behavior.Mrs Leon passed him an unapologetic look, eyeing her husband for reprimanding her in front of the kids.Bruce turned to his brother, ignoring the angry glares being exchanged between his parents.Bruce didn't like this. He wanted a chance to gloat over his achievement to his brother. He wanted to see the hurt and bitterness on DJ's face as DJ's rights were being passed on to him.“Why are you leaving so soon?” He asked. “The din
The mention of dying with water clogging the airways was like a trigger that stirred something in Ashley. She suddenly felt her lungs fill with water, then the cold, tickling sensation of water on her skin. It felt so real that she couldn't breathe at that moment. She had been leisurely resting a hand on DJ's thigh as Mr Leon spoke. But she soon found herself digging her fingers into his thigh as she struggled to breathe. Her hand held her head as a heavy ache invaded her.The suffocation was so real and she felt as though she had been there before. Swallowed up in water and drowning. It felt all too real in her mind.She jolted back into consciousness when DJ repeatedly shook her, calling out her name.She clutched her chest staring up at DJ wide-eyed. Her breathing ragged as her heart raced.DJ gathered her into his arms protectively. Rocking her back and forth reassuringly.Mr Leon watched in perplexed confusion what had happened. “Is she alright?” He finally asked. “What happene
Ashley nervously smooths her hand over her dress for the nth time. DJ had picked her up for dinner at his parents house. They stood by the door and he patiently waited for Ashley to collect herself. He couldn't understand why she insisted they come here when it made her this nervous. Left to him, he'd rather be somewhere else than here. But Ashley had the inexplicable need to make it up to his brother. If only she knew. He looked at her. “Ready now?” She passed him a nervous look, a subtle plea for a few more minutes. “We could cancel this, you know. We don't have to be here if you're not up for it.” He offered, silently hoping that she would change her mind and they'd just turn around and leave. “No no no. I'm just…” She inhaled sharply. “Let's go.” She said, wearing a shaky smile. I raised my brow at her seeking confirmation before taking my next action. Ashley nodded a ‘go ahead’ at me. I raised my hand and rang the doorbell. It didn't take long before we were ushered into
“Have you been getting enough rest?” Dr Tony asked as he switched off the pen torch he used to examine Ashley.Ashley nodded her head negatively in response to his question.“And how is the headache?” “Worse. And I feel dizzy too often.” “That is likely to happen as you are not getting much sleep… Are you using the pills I gave you regularly?”“I missed a few days.” She answered truthfully.Dr Tony kept his stern gaze on her. She was doing everything he had instructed her not to do.“I forget sometimes.” Ashley explained in response to the disapproval in his gaze.“Do you enjoy the pain?... You don't seem to want to get better, Ashley. You're not following the instructions I had given you. Instead, you're doing the exact opposite.”Tony kept a straight eye on Ashley. “Don't you want to remember your past?”Tony's question only earned him a glance from Ashley. She didn't respond to his question. At this point she wasn't certain what she wanted. Not after what she discovered last nigh