Prologue

The moment I opened my blurry and heavy eyes, I was greeted by a pale white ceiling and surroundings that were somewhat serene.

‘Where am I?’ The first question popped up in my head as I slowly wandered my eyes around.

It did not last a few more seconds. All I could do was shut my eyes once more to relieve the pain. My eyes hurt from the intense light coming from the ceiling. Adjustments were still being made. My body felt heavy, and I was barely moving, but I knew that I was still alive.

When I attempted to open it once more, I saw a small boy who appeared to be between four and five years old. He is standing next to my bed. Holding one of my hands and gradually pulling my fingernails, one by one. He is obviously bored, and he finds amusement in this.

Who is he?

For a moment, I'll keep watching him. From my view, I could tell that his eyes were filled with sadness. He threw some glances at my needle-studded hand. His round eyes glance up at me when I slowly press his little palm to let him know I can notice him. The previous feeling of melancholy, entombed in his cute set of eyes, disappeared almost instantly when our eyes met.

“Mommy? You're awake!" the tone of his voice was so delighted that he almost shed tears.

My forehead wrinkled when he stated that. I was shocked. He instantly embraced me and climbed up on my lap before I could react. My tongue seemed to stiffen inside my mouth. I couldn't move my body as if I had become a statue.

What does this mean?

He called me Mommy. He was my son?

Hang on, who I am?

Hurriedly I sat down and wandered my eyes. I could tell I was in a hospital. When the boy began his relentless kissing on my cheeks, I cringed as I did not expect it. I gave him a cold stare but that child didn't care even a bit.

”You know how much how happy I am? I am so glad that you are already awake, Mommy!”

His voice sounded in pain at the same time delighted while he continued to embrace me. He even hooked his little hands around my neck. Pressing his body towards mine. For several minutes, I stared at his face. He is now sobbing. I must admit it, while staring at his tiny face I couldn't feel any emotions from within.

“Daddy will surely be glad too if he discovers that you're awake now, Mommy!”

Before I could speak, a tall, handsome but without emotion man entered the room. Both hands were inside the pocket of his pants.

Who is he?

The child happily glances at him.

“Look at her—”

“Let's go out, Luke, to call the doctor.”

Even his whole baritone voice is cold.

The boy tried to reason out, “But Mommy is—”

“I can see that.”

He swiftly scooped him using one of his hands to hold him. The cold-blooded man took significant steps towards the door. I hoped he threw another glance at me but I was disappointed. He just left and recklessly closed the door.

He must be someone else. For sure he is not my husband. If it was him, he would embrace me too. He is cold, and he appears to be furious.

I reluctantly helped myself move a bit. After a few minutes, a doctor came rushing in. Her eyes twinkled the moment she saw me awake.

“It's a miracle! I am glad that you are awake now. How are you feeling? Is something hurting you now, Mrs. Romanov? Be honest with me.”

I slowly shook my head. Still confused about my identity and what had happened to me.

“Are you sure? Let me check with you.”

The doctor closed the gap between us, removed the earpiece from the stethoscope, and placed it against my chest. I was too distracted to pay attention to what she was saying or doing. While staring at my reflection in the mirror, I couldn't help but touch my face. It felt like something appeared to be wrong. This face was unfamiliar to me. I see a different person. The feeling of my soul was in another body.

"You appear to be well. Your wounded face will be flawlessly repaired and polished.

When I heard her voice herself, my deep suspicion was validated. I turned to look at her.

"Doc, was everything I heard accurate? My face was completely destroyed?"

I touched my face involuntarily as I glanced in the mirror once more. Is this my true self?

The doctor nods her head.

“Yeah, thanks to the incredible surgeons of this hospital. They succeeded in replacing it."

What she replied confused me even more.

How did my actions lead to this mishap?

Why would I want my face to be ruined out of all the other parts of my body? It is an important one. How about my legs? Have I also broken them?

The elderly couple showed up at the door right away, before I could say anything else. Their expressions were filled with concern. They practically screamed as they rushed to get to my bed.

“Oh my goodness! We are grateful that you heard our prayers, Lord. As soon as possible, you allow our daughter to wake up. Adeline, you will feel better soon!"

When they gave me an embrace as though it was our first time together, I was shocked. I had the same feelings toward them as I had the boy earlier. They are unfamiliar to me. I just stared at them, as though I was trying to recall something from my past. My reaction gave them more puzzlement.

“Adeline?” the old man called me with a strange name. “Why you are staring at us weirdly?”

”Right, Adeline.” second the motion by the old lady, “Is there something wrong with you? Don't you recognize us? It's me, your mother. And this is your father.” she tried to explain, pointing her hand to the old man beside her.

My eyes remained emotionless. No matter how hard I attempted to recall them, I couldn't find them. I felt empty and fumbled like this was our first time meeting each other. It made them speechless for a few seconds.

“What is the meaning of this? What's wrong with our daughter, Doctor?” the old lady reacted hysterically as she loosened her grip.

The broad smile of the doctor earlier gradually disappeared as I gently jerked my head at her.

”What do you mean, Mrs. Parker?” the doctor asked the old lady who was now looking pale. The Doctor faces me. ”Mrs. Romanov–”

“I-I can't remember who they are.”

“What? Don't make fun of us. Be honest.”

“Who are you people?”

My eyes scrutinized them blankly. Surely, I don't know any one of them in the room. There is no pigment in my mind and heart that I have seen them before. This is the first time.

“Is Adeline having an amnesia right now, Doc?”

“That can't be, but it was possible.” the Doctor replied, “The accident can result in her mind losing some of her memory and—”

This assumption causes them to cover their mouth. Their impression still couldn't believe it.

“Hold on a second. Where is her husband?”

“Husband?” I asked which made their attention return to me, “I have a husband?” with these unexpected words they looked at me with pity.

Oh? The child earlier was my real son?

“Adeline, please don't make fun of us.” the old lady begged me, “Isn't it enough that your father and I almost had a heart attack when the news reached us that you had an accident?” her voice sounded now shaking, “Stop this nonsense! I can't take any alarming news!”

“Mrs. Parker, please relax. It looks like your daughter isn't fooling us either.”

I swallowed in a problematic manner. I was more dazed by what was going on. The feeling of my throat being parched added some distress.

Do I look like to them that I am making funny stories? Why should I tell lies? Now I realize that I don't even remember my real name.

“I'm not joking.” I expressed using my shaky voice, I was tense. What is going on with me?

I stared directly into my mother's eyes. I wanted her to know that I was honest about what I spoke out.

“I don't know everyone here including myself.”

They cast emotionless glances at one another. A stifling silence fell over the space. Something about it felt unsettling and terrifying. My mother would have fallen to the ground if my father had not grabbed her body to support her.

"How come? Why this is happening to our daughter?!”