Chapter 2: A Stranger in His Eyes
The steady sound of machines filled the hospital room.
Beep… Beep… Beep…
Lina Carter sat beside the bed, her fingers tightly wrapped around Adrian Blake's hand. Her eyes were red, swollen from hours of crying, yet she refused to leave his side.
He had been unconscious for nearly twelve hours.
Twelve hours that felt like a lifetime.
She watched his pale face, her heart aching at the sight of the bandage wrapped around his forehead. His usually composed expression looked fragile, almost vulnerable.
"Please wake up…" she whispered softly.
Her voice trembled.
"You promised me dinner tonight… remember?"
Her thumb gently brushed his hand.
"I'm still waiting…"
Silence answered her.
The door opened quietly.
The doctor walked in, followed by a nurse.
"Mrs. Blake," the doctor said gently, "you should get some rest."
Lina shook her head.
"I'm fine."
"You've been here all night."
"I'll stay."
The doctor sighed but didn't argue.
Suddenly—
Adrian's fingers twitched.
Lina froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Adrian…?"
His fingers moved again.
Lina leaned closer.
"Adrian… can you hear me?"
Slowly… Adrian's eyelashes fluttered.
Then—
His eyes opened.
Lina's heart jumped.
"Adrian!"
She leaned forward, her voice filled with relief.
"You're awake… thank God…"
Adrian frowned slightly, his eyes unfocused.
The bright hospital lights seemed to bother him.
He blinked slowly, trying to adjust.
Then his gaze shifted…
And landed on Lina.
Their eyes met.
Lina smiled, tears falling freely.
"You scared me…"
She squeezed his hand.
"I thought… I thought I lost you…"
Adrian stared at her.
Confusion flickered in his eyes.
His brows furrowed.
"Who… are you?"
The words hit like a thunderbolt.
Lina froze.
Her smile faded instantly.
"W-what…?"
Adrian pulled his hand away slightly.
His gaze sharpened.
"Who are you?"
Lina's heart dropped.
"Adrian… it's me…"
She forced a small smile.
"Lina… your wife…"
Silence filled the room.
Adrian looked at her again.
His expression remained blank.
"I don't… remember you."
Lina felt the world collapse.
"No…"
Her voice broke.
"You're joking… right?"
Adrian frowned slightly.
"I don't joke."
The doctor stepped forward quickly.
"Mr. Blake, do you know where you are?"
Adrian looked around.
"Hospital."
"Do you remember your name?"
"Adrian Blake."
"Your company?"
"Blake Corporation."
The doctor nodded slowly.
"Do you remember what happened?"
Adrian touched his forehead slightly.
"Car accident."
Lina held her breath.
The doctor hesitated.
"Do you remember your wife?"
Adrian looked at Lina again.
His eyes were calm.
Cold.
"No."
Lina's hands trembled.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"No… no…"
She shook her head repeatedly.
"You can't forget me… Adrian…"
Her voice cracked.
"We've been married for three years…"
Still… no reaction.
Adrian looked at her like she was a stranger.
The distance in his eyes was unbearable.
Lina stepped closer.
"Adrian… please… look at me…"
She grabbed his hand.
"You remember… don't you?"
Adrian gently pulled his hand away.
His voice was calm.
"I'm sorry."
Those two words shattered her heart.
"I don't remember you."
Lina felt tears streaming down her face.
Her chest tightened painfully.
"No… this can't be happening…"
The doctor spoke gently.
"Mrs. Blake… please calm down…"
Lina shook her head.
"No… he remembers everything…"
Her voice trembled.
"His company… his name… everything…"
"Why… why only me…?"
The doctor sighed.
"It's selective amnesia."
"Selective…?"
"He remembers most things… but lost certain memories."
Lina's lips trembled.
"And… he forgot me…?"
The doctor nodded slowly.
Lina felt like she couldn't breathe.
Adrian watched her quietly.
For some reason…
Seeing her cry made his chest tighten slightly.
But he ignored it.
The feeling disappeared quickly.
"Doctor," Adrian spoke.
"Yes?"
"Where is Sophia?"
The room fell silent.
Lina froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Sophia…?"
Adrian looked confused.
"My girlfriend…"
Lina's heart stopped.
"What…?"
The doctor hesitated.
"Mr. Blake… you are married…"
Adrian frowned.
"No…"
His gaze turned firm.
"Sophia is my girlfriend."
Lina felt the world spinning.
Her legs weakened.
"No… Adrian…"
Her voice trembled.
"You… broke up with her… years ago…"
Adrian looked at her calmly.
"I don't remember that."
Lina staggered slightly.
The nurse quickly helped her.
Adrian continued.
"Call Sophia."
Lina's heart shattered completely.
He forgot his wife…
But remembered his ex.
Tears streamed down her face.
The pain was unbearable.
Adrian noticed her crying again.
For a brief moment…
Something flickered in his eyes.
But he looked away.
"I need some rest."
The doctor nodded.
"Of course."
The nurse guided Lina outside gently.
As soon as the door closed…
Lina collapsed into the chair.
Her tears wouldn't stop.
"Why…?"
She whispered.
"Why did you forget me…?"
Inside the room…
Adrian closed his eyes.
But for some reason…
The image of Lina crying lingered in his mind.
Her trembling voice.
Her tear-filled eyes.
His chest tightened slightly again.
Adrian frowned.
He placed a hand over his chest.
Strange.
Why did he feel this way…
About a stranger?
He opened his eyes slowly.
Something inside him…
Was beginning to change.
But he didn't know yet—
The woman he forgot…
Was the one he could never truly lose.