Chapter Three

Dr Tony was taking off the bandages wrapped around Lillian's face. He worked with dexterity as he pulled on the bandage. It's been five weeks of waiting since after the surgery.

"You will feel numb around your face when the bandages come off, but it shouldn't alarm you. It's normal and the feeling will wear off in a moment." Tony explained as he unwrapped the bandage.

Sam Knox stood by the corner of the room, his heart racing and his eyes shone with fear. He was eager to see the result of the surgery and yet, uncertain how Lillian would react to her new face.

Lillian had only been able to communicate by nodding whenever she was spoken to. The bandages had prevented her from speaking. So they had not been able to have a real conversation with her.

Tony had said that the chances of Lillian remembering anything about her past was very slim. But Knox couldn't shake off the fear that she would remember her past life. It would be a disaster if that happened.

Tony finally removed the last of the bandages to reveal her face. Knox choked on a suppressed sob. He was staring at his daughter. That's what he felt. Ashley was back and the thought tugged at every one of his emotions. He swallowed the lump in his throat and tried to move nearer.

"There you go. Good as new." Dr Tony remarked with a warm smile. "There is no indication of an accident. No scars at all."

Instinctively, Lillian raised her hand to her face. Her fingers traced over the silk feel of her skin, her eyes peeled on Tony's smiling face.

"Do you want to see it?" Tony asked her. His right hand stretched out behind him. The nurse understood Tony's meaning and immediately placed a mirror on Tony's opened palm.

Tony held the mirror, his eyes lingering on Lillian. He raised the mirror up to her eye level when she gave him a slight nod indicating her consent.

A gasp escaped Lillian's lips as she stared in the mirror. A tear slipped down her cheeks. Her reflection was mesmerizing. She was beautiful and she loved it.

"You don't like it?" Tony inquired, a tinge of fear in his voice. He wondered if he may have been wrong on his diagnosis. She may have remembered her past. As slim as the chances were, one in a hundred patients tend to break all the odds. He wondered if Lillian was that 'one'

By the corner, Knox's heart beat against his chest as though they would jump out any moment. He was trembling with fright, praying and wishing he would be shown mercy and have his daughter returned to him. He didn't mean to wish ill on anyone but he wished this lady seated before him forgot her past.

"I'm beautiful. I love it" Lilian said in a whisper and more tears slipped from her eyes.

Tony let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The suspense was killing and Knox was not immune to the tension. A deep sigh escaped his lips when Lillian confessed to loving her face. That done, there were bigger issues at hand.

Tony glanced over to Knox and Knox gave a subtle nod of approval urging him to continue.

"I'm glad you like it." Tony said with a smile. Lillian looked at Tony's face, wondering if his smile ever disappeared.

Tony continued. "That said, I'd like for us to move on to more pressing matters."

Lillian watched him. Anticipation clothed her eyes. She wondered what he was going to say next.

"What is your name?" Tony gently asked.

The question, so simple yet so difficult. Lillian thought, her gaze still resting on Tony's face. She focused and tried to respond but surprisingly, she was blank. Nothing was forthcoming.

She tried again. Her brain seemed to be inactive, unresponsive. Her breath hitched as she tried to focus. Her head hurt from the strain. She shut her eyes to remember. Still, nothing was forthcoming.

She began to tremble. Tears pooled in her eyes. She felt incompetent. She raised her teary eyes to Tony, again settling her gaze on him.

"What is your name?" Tony repeated.

His voice echoed in her head loudly. The sound grew, grew until it got too loud. She felt a sharp pain explode in her head and spread its venom over it.

Her hand instinctively went up to her head in an attempt to shut the noise and stop the pain. She winced as her head began to feel light, empty. She felt herself falling, slipping again into the familiar darkness. She tried to fight it, but it was too strong and she was too weak. Finally she gave in, letting the darkness take over.

"Will she be alright?" Knox's worried voice asked over Tony's shoulders.

Tony and the nurse were bent over tucking Lillian into a comfortable lying position. Lillian had lost consciousness during the drill.

"Let's talk in my office." Tony said to Knox. He turned to the nurse, dished out a few instructions before leading the way for knox to follow.

They had barely entered the office when Knox spoke again in agitation. "Tony, talk to me. Will she be alright?"

Tony walked round his table and settled into his seat before responding to Knox.

"She is fine Knox."

"Then why did she faint? She was in so much pain before she lost consciousness." Knox's worried voice filled the room.

"That is normal. I told you what could happen after the surgery. Right now her memory is still a fog." Tony explained.

"So she doesn't remember?" Knox's tone didn't relent in anxiety.

"I can't tell you…" Tony was interrupted before he could finish. The nurse had burst into his office with urgency.

"She's awake, doctor. And she's asking for you." The nurse announced.

Tony had a surprised look on his face. "That was fast." He remarked and was already on his feet following the nurse. Knox had stood up immediately after the nurse's announcement and he didn't remain in the office either.

"You should be resting." Tony instructed when he entered Lillian's ward.

"I don't know." She said anxiously.

"You don't know what?" Tony asked in confusion.

"I don't know my name." Lillian explained.

Tony and Knox shared a look. Their suspicions were confirmed.

"You're Ashley. Ashley Knox." Knox quickly interjected in a teary voice. His eyes instantly became filled with love and warmth. He had what he wanted.

Lillian's eyes settled on Knox for the first time noticing the man. She examined him with scrutiny. And when she locked eyes with him, she repeated almost in a whisper.

"I am ASHLEY KNOX."