"Dad," I whine as he holds a spoonful of soup close to my mouth. He is determined to continue feeding me even though it's been a month since the kidnapping, and I am almost fully healed.
Dad had arrived the morning after I broke Beau's heart. It was a surprise since I hadn’t had a chance to contact him yet, but I knew Beau must have. I saw my dad shed tears for the first time in my life that day. My injuries coupled with the news about the loss of his grandchild hit him hard. But he didn't try to speak to me about it when I avoided discussing the details. I’m grateful for that. I know I need to speak to someone about it. And once I’m ready, I will, but I’m not ready yet.
"I know you’re doing better,” Dad says. “But I still want to feed you. The doctor says you need rest, which means no straining yourself."
"How could I strain myself by eating? Please let me feed myself." I put my hand forward to collect the spoon, but he
Later that night, I wake up to the feeling of something wet and soft on my forehead. I don't open my eyes because I know who it is. Beau is here for his nightly visit. I don't know how he gets in this late, but he’s come to see me every single night even though I asked him to stay away. I won't lie; a part of me is happy he didn't listen, because I look forward to this nighttime ritual. I lay as still as possible, pretending to be asleep."How are you doing today, my love?" Beau whispers. "I’m here to visit like I promised I would. I hope you’re doing better."I want to answer, and say yes, I am doing better and tell him there’s nothing to worry about, but I don’t. His voice tells me how concerned he is, and I wish I could ease his worries, but I can't. He’ll stop coming once I acknowledge his visits, and I don't want that. I need this time with him.Tears sting the back of my eyes. Knowing these are the only moments I’l
I wake up to the sound of someone calling my name. The first thing I see as I open my eyes is a dark brown ceiling. Someone touches my arm, and I turn."Thank God, you woke up. I was worried sick." Tamara gets up from the chair she’d been sitting in and pulls me into her arms."Tamara?" I don't return her embrace, confused about where we are and what happened. "What’s going on?" I ask as she pulls away from me."You don't remember?" Tamara's eyes widen.Closing my eyes, I try to force my brain to recall what happened. Tears flow down my cheeks as I remember. It wasn't just a horrible nightmare. It's true. I open my eyes and face Tamara, just as Harvey walks in."Harvey, please tell me Jenny was lying," I plead, begging him to tell me the words I wish to hear."Lilah…" His eyes are filled with sadness."Please say it." More tears stream down my face. Tamara grabs my hand and gives it a small squeeze.
BEAUI jolt awake, thrashing in the chair I am tied to as ice-cold water is thrown on me."I thought you were dead for a minute." The man holding the bucket taps my face, trying to wake me up."Delilah," I whisper, blood dripping from my mouth as my head drops forward. There’s not even enough energy left in my body to hold my head up. The fact that I’m still breathing is a surprise. I can’t remember much, just the pain from the beating."What did you say?" The man brings his ear closer to my busted lips."Delilah," I repeat, wincing as my broken jaw twinges from the effort of speaking."You fucking asshole," the man growls, punching me in the side. I groan, squeezing my eyes shut as my ribs crack in two. I pull my hand into a tight fist and try to absorb the pain. I plan to kill the motherfucker who just punched me. I’m just waiting for the right time to act. "You’re still calling her name?"h
DELILAHI bite my nails and pace the room, waiting for news of Beau’s rescue. Harvey came an hour ago and told me they were able to figure out where the gang was holding him, and that they were going to get him back. I have barely eaten or slept since I found out Beau had been taken. I can’t even think straight. The thought of losing Beau and how much that will destroy me is all I can think about.The Williamses didn’t report Beau missing to the authorities. They feared the gang would have harmed him more in retaliation if they did. Instead, Edward hired a mercenary group to find him. But I also suspect Edward didn’t want to get the cops involved, so the gang members wouldn’t tell them about the kidnapping he had hired them for. I disagreed with their decision to not to go to the cops, but I honestly don’t care as long as they find Beau. Someone bursts into the room, snapping me out of my thoughts. I look at Tamara, wondering why the
He scans the area around him and looks confused, but I’m sure that’s totally normal. It also took me a minute to recognize where I was when I woke up after Beau had saved me."Where am I?" He rasps out."You’re in the hospital; Harvey found you." I sit on the bed and try to take his hand, but he pulls away. I stare at him, confused.Beau looks around the room nervously before turning back to me. "Who are you?""My love, it's me.""You?" He looks at me expectantly, like he’s waiting for me to explain further."Delilah…it's Delilah,” I say. What is going on?"Sorry, do I know you?""You don't know who I am?" I ask, wide-eyed. He shakes his head. My hand moves to my mouth as it hangs open. "Oh my God…" I breathe out."Beau, honey, do you recognize me?" Jenny asks, pushing me out of the way.He looks at her. "No, I don't. Is Beau my name?""Bro, if this is some kind o
Throwing the blanket off my body, I sit up and drop my feet over the side of the bed. Glancing at my phone, I see there’s a few important messages that I’ll need to reply to while at work. At first, it was hard going back into the office after everything that happened, but as the days have passed, I’ve been grateful for the distraction.It's been months since my child was taken from me. I can't believe how time flies. A part of me is grateful for how quickly it’s passed because it makes it less painful that it's been a month since I last saw Beau. His mother made sure the day we found out about his amnesia was the last time I stepped foot in that hospital. Not even Yennefer could help me.Not being able to be there for him at such a critical point in his life breaks my heart. I bet he still doesn't even know who I am. I’m certain his mother has made sure of that.Tears sting the back of my eyes, and I throw my head back, trying to blink them away. My heart breaks every time I think ab
I stare at Beau and watch as he listens to one of my employees explain why we had to put a hold on the projects his investment had funded. I’m still as confused as I was yesterday. He says he remembers me, but then says he doesn’t know why I put the projects on hold. It doesn’t make any sense.I tried speaking to him again yesterday after he left to ask what was going on, but he refused to allow me to see him at his office or give me his new number. My new plan is to try and talk to him today once the meeting is over. I want to apologize and fix things between us. I believe I made a mistake that day in the hospital. At the time, I had thought I was doing us both a favor, but I know now that I should have never broken up with him.I continue to stare at him and take in his appearance. He looks as he did yesterday—healthy. I’m thrilled to see him well. It warms my heart to know he’s fully recovered and free of any wounds or scars that might have damaged his handsome face. Beau stands, a
The rest of the week is spent thinking about Beau and how he came to the absurd conclusion that I’m a gold digger. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’m sure I will soon. I even contacted Harvey to find out if he knows what’s going on. Unfortunately, he doesn’t, but he agreed to help me find out.Now, I’m in my room trying to focus on getting ready for a dinner party I’m attending with Dad. He said it would be a good distraction for me, and I agree. Lately, I’ve been spending all my free time thinking about Beau. A party will be good for me after all the heartbreak I’ve dealt with this week. A knock sounds on my door and I go to answer it.“Why aren’t you dressed?” I ask Camila once I open the door and see her. She’s supposed to be attending the party with us.“I’m not going.”“Why?”She blushes. “Axel just flew into Texas and is on his way here now.”He and Camila had made things official a few weeks ago, which was great. But unfortunately, around the same time Axel also took a posit
One Year LaterI stare at Beau’s handsome face as he sleeps soundly beside me. Sometimes I still find it hard to believe that we’re finally together. I softly peck his lips before slipping out of bed, making sure to be as quiet as possible so as not to wake him. I pick up my purse and walk to the bathroom with it. Opening my handbag, I take out the object I’ve been hiding from Beau since I bought it yesterday.How wonderful will it be if the result comes back positive?I take the pregnancy test, then set the timer on my phone and wait impatiently in the bathroom. Beau will be so happy if I’m pregnant. We haven’t been trying to have a baby, but I know he’ll be pleased regardless. We’ve spoken about starting a family one day, so I know it’s something we both want.After what feels like an eternity, the timer on my phone goes off. I pick up the test and see two lines. I’m pregnant.“Two lines!” I scream. I can’t believe it. It feels like a dream come true. I know this isn’t the first tim
I walk out of the elevator once it reaches Axel’s floor. After we landed in Chicago, Tamara and I immediately came to Axel’s apartment complex, while Beau went to the hotel with our bags. The plan is to meet him there later. Speaking to Axel couldn’t wait. His mom even texted me to say she’s worried about him.He hasn’t shown up to work the past few days and is shutting everyone out. His mom, my Aunt Caroline, tried talking some sense into him but it didn’t work. She’s hoping Tamara and I will have better luck. So much so that she even met us in the lobby to give us her set of keys to his apartment in case Axel wouldn’t let us in.Just as we’re about reach his door, I stop in my tracks. “Camila?” I say, shocked to see her standing there. She didn’t tell me she was coming.“Hi Lilah, Tamara,” she says, her voice low. She doesn’t look good. There are bags under her eyes, and her nose is red. She’s obviously been crying. If I hadn’t seen her without makeup before, I don’t think I would e
Thirty minutes later, we’re flying to Chicago in Beau’s jet. I had planned to come check on Axel even before Beau and I worked things out, and once I explained to Beau what was going on with Camila and Axel, he agreed that we should go. Axel has refused to answer any of my calls the past three days, and Camila has been worried sick about him.I would be a lot more upset about the situation if I didn’t have Beau’s support. I still can’t believe we’re here together. It’s like a dream. I touch his face to make sure it’s real.“I’m sorry again for everything I did while I was pretending to have lost my memory.” Beau says, placing his hand over mine.“There is nothing to be sorry for. I know you didn’t want to hurt me. I’m sure it must have pained you to do it.” I run my other hand through his soft curls. I’ve missed doing that.“You can’t imagine, my love. My heart was pierced every time I hurt you. I am truly sorry.” He stares into my eyes, and I can tell he means every word.I smile sof
DELILAHI stare at myself in the mirror and blow out my cheeks. Beau’s getting married today. I don’t know what I thought would happen, but I didn’t think it would ever get to this point. Looking at my dress in the mirror, tears fill my eyes as it’s not the dress I had hoped to wear on Beau’s wedding day. It was foolish for me to have agreed to stay when he asked me. I must have been possessed because only a fool would stay and watch the love of their life marry someone else.Using my hands, I fan myself and take deep breaths to calm down. I don’t want to ruin my makeup. Since I already agreed to stay, I might as well see this to the end. I’m picking up my purse to leave when someone knocks on my door. I go to open it, wondering if Tamara changed her mind about meeting me downstairs and needs something before we go. But Tamara isn’t who’s standing in the hall.“Beau?” I say, shocked.“Can I come in?” he asks, smiling.Why is he smiling? And most importantly what the hell is he doing h
I play with my glass as I watch Hannah rub herself against Beau, who doesn’t seem to be enjoying her company very much, but that doesn’t matter. He’s still marrying her. I’m going to have a drinking problem by the time this wedding is over. The rehearsal dinner is tonight, and it’s going horribly for me.Everyone keeps talking about how they’re such a good match for each other. I’m already imagining how awful tomorrow will be. I can’t believe I agreed to stay. What the hell was I thinking?The only reason I decided to come tonight was because I was hoping to get a chance to talk Beau out of getting married, but all I’ve done is drink.I finish my fifth glass of wine and call the server over for a refill. My alcohol tolerance has increased recently, and I don’t want to think about how much drinking I must have been doing lately for that to happen. After my glass is refilled, I go to take a sip, but someone grabs it from my hand.“I think you’ve had enough for tonight,” Beau says, holdi
“Gin and tonic,” I say to the bartender as I take a seat. The dive bar I found close to the airport seems as good a place as any to wait to check in for my flight.I try not to think about Beau as I down my drink but it’s hard. The last time I was out drinking because of him was the night we created our baby. Our poor child, they never got to see the world.I throw back the rest of my drink and ask for another. It wouldn’t be a good idea to get drunk and miss my flight, but one more won’t hurt.While on my second glass, I’m surprised to see Beau walk into the bar. He takes a seat at one of the booths, joining a man I haven’t seen before. What is he doing here? Even if he wanted a late-night drink, there are bars closer to the estate.I’ll have to get closer to them to figure out what’s going on. Taking a seat in the boot opposite theirs, I drop my head and use my hair to cover my face. It’s wrong to eavesdrop, but I can’t help it. Beau shouldn’t be here, and I know if I were to walk o
Blindly, I stare at the ceiling and ponder Jenny’s words. I still can’t believe she threatened to kill my father. I have never felt more hopeless in my life.I can’t bear to watch Beau marry someone else and not do anything to stop it, but I also can’t risk my father’s life. There is no debate, I won’t risk my dad, but the price to keep him safe is a hefty one. I will have to live the rest of my days without Beau. My life is incomplete without him. I don’t even know how I’m going to function.Fresh tears escape my eyes and stain the pillow. I just wish there was a way I could be with Beau without losing my father in the process.My head turns when I hear the door opening. I was too shaken to move after speaking to Jenny, so I’m still in the room where Hannah’s wedding dress is. I wipe my cheeks and sit up to see who’s coming inside.“Yennefer,” I say, surprised. How did she know I was here?“Found you at last.” She smiles and closes the door behind her.“You were looking for me?” I as
The following morning, I sneak onto the Williams’ estate to see Nana. Harvey says her bad days have been outnumbering her good, and she might be gone any day now. That’s why, even though Edward and Jenny will have my ass the moment they see me, I’m risking it. I don’t want to miss what might be my last chance to see her. She means a lot to Beau and has always been nice to me. I don’t even want to think about how he’s faring with her diagnosis, but he might not be struggling that much since he doesn’t have his memories. I hope he gets them back before it’s too late. I can’t imagine how torn he would be if he doesn’t get them back before she’s gone. He’d be devastated.I spent all night thinking of ways I could help Beau recover his memories. I wondered which memory we shared would be most important to him. We’ve made many memories together, but I think the shared loss of our child is the most significant. Unfortunately, I had already told him about that one, and it didn't do the trick.
“What are you reading over there?” Charles asks. It’s been a few hours since we took off. Charles apparently doesn’t care that I’m his sister’s enemy and has been talking to me for most of the flight. I think it’s because he has an interest in me, but I might be wrong.“A romance novel,” I reply, switching off my phone screen and turning to face him.“You’re a romance fan?”“Yes, I am.”“So, you must be waiting for your prince charming to rescue you then?”“No, I’m not.”“But you’re a romance fan?”“Yes.”“I’m confused,” he chuckles.I laugh before speaking. “I love romance novels, but not the typical kind you might be familiar with.”“Hmm, let me guess, you’re into dark romance,” Charles says, smirking.“Yes, I am.” I smile. “How did you know?”“Once you said it’s not the typical type of romance, dark romance was the next thing that came to my head. So, tell me your favorite book and why it’s your favorite.”“I don’t have just one favorite. I love too many.”“What if you had to choos