Chapter 2- Five years later

Five years later.

Zander Stanton had heard a lot of lies in his life, particularly about his gorgeous, wicked, missing ex-wife, who had left him five years before. But this one took the cake.

"That's impossible!" he exclaimed as he stared at the doctor. "She's lying. She's tricked me yet again with her elaborate scheme. She—"

"I assure you, Mr. Stanton, it's real she really has no memory," said Dr. Bill solemnly. "Your ex-wife has no memory—not of you, not of me, and not even of her accident the day before."

"Because she's a liar!"

"It's real, sir. However, she was wearing a seat belt when her head hit the airbag," Dr. Bill explained further. "There is no concussion, but unfortunately—"

With a frown on his face, Zander looked at the old man. He was known as a doctor of great talent and honesty. He was affluent as a result of a lifetime of servicing wealthy, aristocratic patients, and he couldn't be purchased. He was renowned as a family guy, still in love with his wife of 45 years, a cherished father of two, and a grandpa of ten—he couldn't be bought. So he must honestly believe Elvie, his ex-wife, had amnesia.

Amnesia?

Bullshit!

Zander had been looking for Elvie for years, even after his divorce from Kristal, whom he had trusted too much and had ended up betraying him over his own attorney. Yes, marrying Kristal after Elvie signed their divorce agreement was a mistake. He thought he could finally have his happy ending with Kristal, but boy, was he wrong. Kristal was worse than Elvie; at least Elvie didn't run off with his money, she didn't even ask, and she left with nothing but luggage, whereas Kristal took nearly half of his wealth in the first two years of their marriage.

Then, now. Elvie was back.

Why?

Zander’s lip curled. After all of her devilish cleverness, he would have expected more from her.

Five years after leaving him, Elvie Carlton vanished like a ghost. His men had searched for her all over the world without success until three days ago, when she suddenly resurfaced for her parent's funeral.

Zander ended a million-dollar deal in Los Angeles and ordered his men to follow Elvie until he could fly to London on his private plane. When Elvie left the hospital yesterday afternoon, his men were close behind her. They'd seen her conceal her long, dark, glossy hair behind a silk scarf, put on enormous black sunglasses, and drive away in a rented old car. Straight into a red postbox on the street.

"It was so strange, boss," one of his men had told him when he came from Los Angeles that morning. "She seemed fine at the funeral. But when she left the doctor's office, she drove like a drunk. She didn't even recognise us when we helped her out of the car."

Dr. Bill rubbed the back of his wispy white head, similarly perplexed. "I kept her for observation overnight but couldn't find anything physically wrong with her."

Zander clenched his teeth. "Because she doesn't have amnesia. She’s playing you for a fool!"

The doctor tensed before sighing, "I don't believe Miss Carlton is faking it, Mr. Stanton." He shook his head and thought, "All the tests came back negative. Amnesia appears to be the sole symptom. As a result, I'm wondering if the accident was only a trigger for the mental stress."

"Does that mean she brought it on herself?"

"I wouldn't precisely say that, sir. But this is beyond my expertise. That is why I have suggested a colleague, Dr. Galvin. He can help her."

"A psychiatrist, you say?"

"Yes," the old man said, nodding his head.

Zander clung to one useful piece of knowledge. What happened to her?

What made her—

Was this his fault?

No! Of course not, he thought to himself.

Zander stood before saying, "So, if there's nothing physically wrong with her, she can leave the hospital?"

The doctor paused. "She's definitely strong enough. But, given her lack of memory, possibly a member of her family..."

"She has no family," Zander cut in. "Her parents were her only living relatives, and they died four days ago."

"But I hoped Elvie had an aunt or uncle, or even a brother..."

"She does not have,um," Zander lied calmly, despite the fact that he had no idea. He simply knew that nothing would stop him from taking Elvie with him today. "I am her ex-husband," he stated casually. "I will take care of her."

"So your men told me yesterday, when they said you were on your way." Dr. Bill looked at him, as if he didn't like what he saw. "However, it does not appear that you believe she requires special care."

"If you say she has amnesia, I have no choice but to believe it."

"You called her a fraud earlier."

"I'm merely suggesting what I thought was possible…" Zander frowned at the doctor and gave a crooked grin. "Creative untruths are part of her charm."

"Okay, do you really want her back?" The doctor's eyes narrowed as he gazed up at him. "Do you intend to remarry her?"

Zander understood the response the old man desired—the only answer that would free Elvie from his control. As a result, he told the doctor what he wanted to hear. "She means the world to me. Everything," he exaggerated.

The doctor examined Zander's facial features, brushed his beard with delight, then nodded in quick decision. "Okay, then, that's excellent. Mr. Stanton, I'll hand her over to you. Take good care of her. You can bring her home now."

Take her to Ireland. Zander would die before he polluted his home that way. But Scotland…yes. He’d lock her up and make her thoroughly regret living after tricking him five years ago.

"Nice to hear that, doctor. You will release her to me today, right?"

The old man nodded. "Yes. Make her feel loved," he warned. "Make her feel wanted and secure."

"Wanted and secure," he repeated, barely able to keep the sneer from his face.

Dr. Bill frowned. "Surely, Mr. Stanton, you can appreciate what these last twenty-four hours have meant to Elvie. She’s had nothing to cling to. No memory of family or friends to sustain her. No sense of home or memory of belonging. She didn’t even know her name until I told her."

"Don’t worry," Zander said grimly. "I’ll take good care of her."

But as he started to turn away, the doctor stopped him. "There is something else you should know."

"What?"

"Normally I would never disclose this information. But in this unique case, I feel the need for informed care far exceeds the concern for privacy."

With a muttered curse, Zander tapped his foot impatiently. "What is it?"

"Elviehas a record from London’s hospital; I mean, she gave birth four years ago."

"What?"

"She had a daughter."

At that word, Zander’s head shot up. His heart literally stopped in his chest.

"A daughter?" he choked. "When?"

"When I called her doctor, she estimated conception in mid-December five years ago."

December.

The time she left him, the time when they made love?

Was it possible? He’d thought—God help him—that he could trust her. Because lust had seized his mind and will that night. But could it be his?

Zander stared at the doctor, hardly able to breathe.

The old man suddenly gave a half-fake smile, patting him on the back. "But I'm sorry, Elvie doesn't remember the child either or where she left her four-year-old daughter."