Chapter Fifty one. Travis pov “What would I do now that I have sent Annabelle away in anger? How do I account for that?” I thought and said out loud before proceeding to enter the ward. I entered the room and the sight of Samantha sleeping peacefully warmed my heart and I was washed with relief then I remembered I had to give honor to whom honor is due. Annabelle. Leaving Samantha's room momentarily, I tried to contact Annabelle, hoping to convey the depth of my emotions. Yet, my calls went unanswered, my texts left hanging in the void of silence. “Please leave a message.” The lady at the end of the call said. “Please call me back, and thank you for saying Samantha's life.” I said then hit the end button and the message got delivered. I let out a sign, step into the room, sat on the sofa and closed my eyes to sleep, with so many thoughts in my head I was still able to sleep as I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on one thing, which is the fact that Samantha was doing fine.
Chapter Fifty-Two. Annabelle pov The hospital walls were a cold, sterile white that seemed to suck the warmth out of the air. I sat on an uncomfortable plastic chair, my back stiff from hours of waiting, my mind far from the engagement ceremony preparations that were underway and the constant ringing of my phone. The sterile smell of disinfectant mixed with the sharp, metallic scent of fear that seemed to permeate the air around us. Travis sat beside me, his shoulders hunched, staring at the floor as if searching for answers in the speckled tiles. His wife, Samantha, was lying unconscious in the room, and I could feel the guilt radiating off him in waves. He hadn’t spoken much, but his eyes said everything….. angry at himself, fear for Samantha, confusion about why I was here instead of at home preparing for my engagement. “Travis, it’s not your fault,” I whispered, my hand reaching out to touch his, but stopping just short. The years we had spent apart hadn’t erased the ins
Chapter Fifty three. Travis pov I sat in my office, staring blankly at the stack of papers on my desk. My mind was far away from work, consumed by thoughts of Annabelle's impending engagement to Henry. The idea of her marrying him felt like a punch to the gut, a final nail in the coffin of any hope I had left of rekindling what we once had. Annabelle and I had divorced years ago, but the love I felt for her had never faded. Now, I was faced with the agonizing prospect of losing her forever. Henry was a good man, and he had loved Annabelle for as long as I could remember. He was stable, reliable, and everything a father could want for his daughter. Annabelle's father had made it no secret that he preferred Henry over me, especially after our divorce, but the thought of Annabelle being with someone else, sharing her life, her dreams, her laughter with another man, was unbearable. The engagement party was to be a grand affair, with the who’s who of society in attendance. I kne
Chapter Fifty four. Travis pov I stood on the balcony of my apartment, looking out at the city skyline. The morning sun cast a golden glow over the buildings, and the world seemed peaceful. But inside, I was anything but at peace. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions, memories, and regrets. It had been a week since Samantha had woken up, and although she still didn’t remember me or our life together, she was slowly regaining her strength. I spent every day at the hospital, talking to her, trying to jog her memory, but it was a slow, painful process. And then there was Annabelle, whose engagement to Henry had left a gaping hole in my heart. It felt like my life was falling apart, and I was powerless to stop it. I sighed and leaned against the railing, closing my eyes. I needed a distraction, something to take my mind off the chaos of my personal life. Maybe work would help. There were always projects to finish, meetings to attend, deadlines to meet. But even as I thought about divi
Chapter Fifty- five.Travis pov How could I tell her the truth? Is it about how I hated how much she nagged? or how I wished I could get back with Annabelle? I mean, She was just recovering and I'm not even sure things could go back to normal. I would be wrong to tell her all that. “I miss those sweet times spent with you and Nora and I want you to get well soon,” I said and forced a smile. “Why can't I remember anything? Why? I remember none of the things you say?” Samantha was worried. “I can't live like this. How long will this last?” She was not having it well. She looked at me like her world was crumbling. I knew she was scared but I did not know the best words to tell her that could make her feel better.I gathered myself together and held her hands firmly. “You have nothing to worry about. You are not alone in this and we will get you through this together,” I assured her. It was the least I could do.My stomach growled in all of our conversation. I had not had anything to e
Chapter Fifty-six. Annabelle pov My heart kept telling me I did everything the wrong way but my father had insisted that the engagement must take place else he would disown me. It was the first time I ever saw my father so stern in deciding my life. I just had to adhere to it. “Annabelle, you've not spoken to me well nor acted like I've been present since the engagement. I feel like you have intentionally occupied yourself with tasks from work just to avoid having any conversation with me. Please, don't leave me in the dark. Tell me what you are thinking.” Henry attacked me with those words as I entered his office to discuss a deal we needed to close with a company. He knew that was a better time to ask me because I never spoke to him about our personal lives since the engagement. Everything had been about work. I never showed up for any arrangement he made for us to spend time together. What I did earlier today must have hurt him more because he sent me a message last night
Chapter Fifty- seven. Annabelle pov He poured me a drink and I smiled. He knew how to get to me. I sipped the wine a little. “Oh my, what brand of wine is this? It's so nice.” I just had to acknowledge that aloud. He laughed. “I knew you would love it right…” He said and walked closer to me. “I told them to get me a rare and very good red wine. This kind, you can not find in a mere store.” I gulped down the rest of what I had and poured more into my bottle. Soon we sat on the floor in my office and we began talking about things that bothered us and what we felt was wrong. “I do not want to be engaged as much as I know that you are probably the best match for me,” I said, with the internal frustration I had been hiding, fully displayed on my face as he sat in front of me. “But why? Do I not show you enough love? What does Travis do to you that makes him more special to you than I?” He asked me genuinely, in a low tone and greased my left hand. I knew he wished there was some
Chapter Fifty-eight. Annabelle pov We arrived at his beautiful apartment and I must say I had forgotten about most of the confusion and hurt I felt within me as we walked hand in hand into the house. I just lived in the moment. “I have a great idea for us tonight. I hope you're not so tired yet?” He rubbed his palms together. His excitement was palpable. “So, you will go upstairs and freshen up. I have a soft gown in my wardrobe that I got for you days ago. I want you to wear it. Please, I need you to feel your best tonight.” I smiled and nodded. I wasn't going to say something that could probably ruin his joy. I wondered how long he had been waiting for me to visit him. Impressed by his actions, “Well, I'm not sure you would get my size but I'm happy you thought to get me a dress.” I said and made my way up the stairs. I haven't felt that much love being poured into me in a while. Henry seemed like my father made a good choice after all. I don't know why I felt confused and co