7. Remember

For the longest, Chase's gaze darted into hers as he held his tongue, and then he looked away for a short time before focusing on Jada again.

"My lawyer is very creditable. But are you this serious about leaving your husband?" Chase asked, staring into her soul. "Why?"

"I don't like him." She mumbled as she dropped her gaze.

"That's not reason enough."

"I don't know him."

Not saying a word, Chase stood there, his eyes locked on Jada's downcast face. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken emotions, tension coiling like a live wire. Time seemed to stretch, each passing second filled with anticipation and uncertainty.

Jada could feel Chase's intense gaze on her, his eyes boring into her soul. The weight of his scrutiny made her heart race and her palms grow clammy. It was as if he could see through her, peeling back the layers of her carefully constructed facade and exposing the vulnerability she kept hidden.

Finally, unable to bear the silence, Chase moved closer to Jada, his steps slow and deliberate. His voice, when he spoke, was a mere whisper, but it echoed loudly in the space between them. "I need to know, Jada. Why don't you want your husband?"

Jada's breath caught in her throat, and she could feel the tears welling in her eyes. She took a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "Because...because I don't remember."

"That's it?" Chase asked.

Jada blinked, taken aback by Chase's question. She had expected a different reaction, maybe anger or frustration, but not this calm curiosity. She searched his eyes, trying to find any hint of what he was thinking, but his expression remained unreadable.

"That's it?" Chase asked again, his voice soft but insistent. "You don't remember anything about your husband? Your marriage? Your past... Nothing at all?"

Jada shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry, Chase. I wish I could remember, but it's all just blank. I woke up in that hospital bed without recalling who I was or who he was. It's terrifying to me. But I know in my heart and soul that I don't want him."

~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

Moments later, Chase's driver navigated the city's familiar streets, his grip on the steering wheel tight as he focused on the road ahead. 

The car glided smoothly through the traffic, carrying Chase and Jada away from the hospital. She sat beside him, her body still weak, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. 

Her mind seemed distant, lost in a sea of thoughts that Chase couldn't decipher as he stared intensely at her. He longed to reach out to her, take her hand, and bridge the gap that separated them, but he knew he had to give her space.

Finally, as they arrived at his mansion, the grand iron gates swung open, welcoming them into the sprawling estate that stood before them, a testament to his wealth and power.

Minutes later, they entered through the ornate double doors, and Chase led Jada through the corridors, their footsteps echoing in the silence. 

It was a maze of luxury, filled with intricate tapestries, antique furniture, and exquisite artwork. But all that faded into the background as Chase guided her to the guest room.

After shutting the door, he helped Jada sit on the edge of the bed, his concern etched in every line of his face. He wanted to say something comforting, to assure her that she was safe here, but the words evaded him.

As Jada stared blankly at the empty wall, Chase hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. "I know this is overwhelming, but you're safe here. I'll do everything in my power to help you remember."

His words were greeted by silence, and for the longest, Chase hesitated, staring at the wall too.

"I have resources," Chase began. "I can help you get your memories back, Jada. I can hire the best specialists to create a support system that will guide you through this journey. You don't have to face it alone."

Still, Jada said nothing, her eyes fixated on the blank wall opposite her. Her silence hung heavy in the atmosphere, the weight of her pain clouding her eyes. Chase fought the urge to reach out, to shake her out of her trance, because he knew he had to respect her boundaries.

Time seemed to stand still as they sat there, the room enveloped in an eerie stillness. Suddenly, Jada winced, her hand instinctively flying to her temple. A sudden, agonizing cry tore through her lips, and she clutched her head hard, her face contorted in pain.

Afraid to hurt Jada by touching her, Chase's heart lurched at the sight of her suffering, and he asked, "What's wrong? Should I call a doctor? Get you some pain relief?"

Tears welled up in her eyes as she gasped for breath, whispering, "No, no more doctors. No more medicine. Just stay with me, Chase."

"Jada, I... I should leave so you can rest well," Chase stammered. "I don't want to make things worse for you."

"No," Jada whispered, her voice filled with desperation, her wet eyes pleading with him. "Please, Chase. Stay with me. I need you."

For a moment, he felt torn, wanting to respect her wishes but also fearing for her well-being. In the end, his concern for her won out. He closed the distance between them and sat on the bed beside her, his hand gently brushing her hair away from her forehead.

"Alright, I'll stay with you," he said softly.

Slowly, Jada leaned into his touch, seeking solace in his presence. She felt vulnerable, like a broken puzzle that needed someone to put the pieces back together, and Chase's arms held her, offering a sense of security she desperately craved.

"I won't use medicine to force you to remember," Chase murmured. "You can take your time, Jada. I'll be here, holding you, helping you heal."

A whine left her lips as Jada clung to him, her grip tight, as if he were the anchor keeping her from drifting away. Then, her sobs gradually subsided, leaving behind a sense of calm. 

"It hurt to remember... Every time I try, my brain feels like someone just stabbed me with a hot knife, and my vision goes fuzzy. It is like my whole world is coming apart, piece by piece. I hate seeing myself like that. I don't want to feel this way. So just hold me and let me forget it all." Jada's voice broke as she reached up to clutch Chase's shirt.

Gently, he guarded her down on the bed and laid down next to her, wrapping an arm around her waist. Jada nestled against him, her cheek resting gently on his chest, and he pressed a gentle kiss on her hair.

'This feels like a dream, so you need to remember... That way, I can wake up and face the reality of losing you again.' Chase's words echoed in his head, reminding him of his past.