Chapter 3

The room was hazy when I first opened my eyes. The bright lights hurt my eyes, forcing me to squint. My mind felt sluggish, like it was struggling through fog. Slowly, I realized I wasn’t in the cramped cell where I last remembered being. No, this place was much cleaner, sterile. The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the air, and when I glanced down, I saw I was in a hospital bed.

Panic took over me for a moment as the memories of jail flooded back—cold nights, harsh words, fear pulling at the edges of my mind. But... I wasn’t there anymore. I was here, in this bed, feeling safe. How? Why? The questions swirled in my head, but before I could even process them, the door opened.

That was when I saw him.

For a second, I thought I must still be dreaming, or maybe I had died and gone to heaven. The man who walked in was nothing short of breathtaking. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and undeniably gorgeous. He looked like a god. His suit fit his muscular frame perfectly. His jaw was sharp, his skin smooth and sun-kissed like he spent his time on private beaches. But it was his eyes that captivated me, locking me in place.

They were a deep, piercing blue—almost unnatural, the kind of blue that seemed to see right through me, stripping me down to my very soul. I couldn’t look away. Everything around us blurred into the background as his gaze held mine, and for a moment, it felt like nothing else existed.

He stopped at the edge of my bed, and I realized I was staring. Heat rushed to my cheeks, but I couldn’t stop.

"Who... who are you?" My voice came out hoarse.

He opened his mouth to answer. His lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile that made my heart stutter. His presence was magnetic, and every nerve in my body was acutely aware of how close he was. I felt a strong pull towards him, a connection I couldn’t explain. I wanted to know his name. I needed to know.

But just as he was about to speak, the door burst open again.

“Tamera!” Daniella's voice filled the room, and suddenly, I was pulled back to reality. My parents rushed to my side, wrapping me in their arms before I could fully process what was happening.

“Oh, honey, are you alright? We were so worried,” Daniella said, her hands cradling my face as she checked for any signs of injury.

I blinked, still disoriented, and glanced over her shoulder. The man was gone. He had slipped out so quietly I hadn’t even noticed. My heart sank a little that he was gone, and I had no idea why. I didn’t even know him.

“I’m... I’m fine,” I managed to say, though my voice felt distant.

I was still trying to wrap my head around everything—waking up in a hospital, my so-called parents being there, him. I wanted to ask them about the man, but something stopped me. Maybe it was the way Daniella's face was so full of relief, or the way the two of them wouldn’t stop fussing over me. There were too many questions swirling in my head, and I didn’t know where to begin.

So, I kept quiet, letting my parents take me back home, wherever that was.

---

When the car pulled up to what my parents called "home," I was speechless.

The mansion towered ahead, sprawling across acres of perfectly manicured land. Massive pillars framed the front, giving it a royal, almost palace-like appearance. A large fountain gushed in the center of the driveway, surrounded by sleek, expensive cars. The sun glinted off their polished surfaces.

"Welcome back, darling," my father said proudly, gesturing to the estate like it was the most normal thing in the world.

But it wasn’t. I had never seen this place before in my life—or at least I didn’t remember seeing it. It felt familiar, yes, like a long-forgotten memory scratching at the edges of my mind, but I couldn’t fully place it.

“Do you like it?” my mother asked.

I nodded, unable to form words. My mind was still reeling. How was this my life? How had I gone from a cold, concrete cell to this? Was I dreaming? None of it made sense, yet somehow, deep down, something about it felt right.

As we walked inside, the luxury only increased. Marble floors, chandeliers, and walls lined with gold plates adorned the space. Every detail screamed wealth and power. And then I saw the photos. My photos.

There were pictures of me—smiling, happy, alongside my parents. Memories I didn’t recall. It hit me like a punch to the gut. This was real. I really was their daughter. I belonged here.

My parents talked excitedly, but their voices faded as I lost myself in the photographs.

Who was I before? How could I have forgotten all of this? Nothing was making sense at all, not at that very moment but I decided the best thing to do for now was go with the flow.

—-----

Days passed quickly, and I slowly adapted to my surroundings. Maids and servers catered to my every need, but I still felt like an outsider in my own life. Something was missing. There was a gap in my memory, a piece of me that was lost. But I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the present. Then, one afternoon, everything changed.

A maid came to my room, bowing her head slightly. "Miss Tamera, your parents wish to see you in the living room."

I followed her down the staircase, wondering what they had called me for. When I entered the living room, I stopped dead in my tracks.

It was him.

The man from the hospital stood there, just as devastatingly handsome as I remembered. His presence filled the room, and my breath caught in my throat. Those same piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and once again, it felt like the world faded away. My heart pounded in my chest.

My parents were beside him. Their faces were neutral, but there was something in their eyes—something they weren’t telling me.

“Tamera,” my father began, “There’s something we need to discuss.”

I tore my gaze away from the man, forcing myself to focus on my father. “What is it?”

“This is Richard Garrison,” my mother said, gesturing to the man. “We’ve known his family for years, and... well, we’ve made arrangements.”

I frowned. “Arrangements?”

My mother glanced at my father before continuing. “We’ve arranged for you to marry him, darling. The wedding is in a few weeks.”

The words hit me, knocking the air out of my lungs, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

“What?” I whispered.

“We believe this is the best decision for you, for the family,” my father added, as if that explained everything.

“No!” The word burst out of me before I could stop it. “No, I can’t marry him. I’m already married!” My hands trembled, and I clenched them into fists. “You can’t just arrange my marriage like that!”

Richard, standing silently this whole time, stepped forward.

“Tamera,” he said softly. His voice was deep and soothing, sending shivers down my spine. “I understand this is a shock, but—”

“I don’t even know you,” I cut him off, my eyes wide as I stared at him. “I can’t just—”

But then, something happened. Our eyes met, and the connection from the hospital returned, even stronger this time. It was like electricity buzzing between us, and for a moment, I couldn’t speak. Everything around us faded, and all I could feel was him—his presence, his energy, the way his gaze held mine.

There was something between us, something undeniable. I didn’t know what it was, but it terrified me.

“Please,” my mother pleaded. “Just... consider it.”

I shook my head, pulling myself out of the haze. “No,” I said firmly, backing away. “I’m still married. I can’t... I can’t marry someone else.”

My parents exchanged a look, and Richard watched me carefully, his blue eyes filled with something I couldn’t quite read.

But I knew one thing for sure. This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.