Chapter 12: The Memory That Hurt
The afternoon sun softened the garden with warm light.
Lina and Adrian slowly walked back inside the house.
Neither of them spoke.
But the silence between them felt different now.
It wasn't awkward anymore.
It felt… comfortable.
As if they had always walked side by side like this.
Inside the house, Sophia was sitting on the sofa, casually flipping through a magazine.
But the moment she saw them enter together—
Her smile stiffened.
"You finished your walk?"
Adrian nodded.
"Yes."
Lina quietly moved toward the kitchen.
"I'll prepare lunch."
Mrs. Blake followed her.
Sophia watched them go.
Then she turned to Adrian.
"You look better."
Adrian nodded.
"I feel better."
Sophia smiled gently.
"That's good."
She leaned slightly closer.
"You should still take it easy."
Adrian nodded again.
But something about her closeness made him slightly uncomfortable.
He didn't understand why.
Just then—
A phone rang.
Sophia looked at her phone.
"I need to take this."
She stood up and walked outside.
Adrian leaned back on the sofa.
His eyes moved around the house again.
The more he looked…
The more familiar it felt.
The walls.
The furniture.
Even the scent.
Something tugged at his heart.
He stood slowly and walked toward the staircase.
His feet seemed to move on their own.
He reached the second floor.
Then stopped in front of another door.
He didn't know why—
But he opened it.
Inside…
It was a study room.
Bookshelves filled the walls.
A desk.
And—
A small couch.
Adrian stepped inside.
His fingers brushed the desk.
Suddenly—
A flash appeared.
Lina sleeping on the couch.
Adrian placing a blanket over her.
Her smiling sleepily.
"You work too hard…"
The image disappeared.
Adrian's head throbbed.
He grabbed the desk tightly.
His breathing became uneven.
Fragments.
More fragments.
They felt real.
Very real.
Suddenly—
A photo frame caught his attention.
He picked it up.
It showed Lina sitting at the desk.
Smiling.
Holding a cup of coffee.
Adrian's chest tightened.
Why…
Did this hurt?
He didn't understand.
But his heart felt heavy.
Downstairs—
Lina finished preparing lunch.
She noticed Adrian wasn't in the living room.
"Where's Adrian?"
Mrs. Blake looked around.
"He was just here."
Lina felt uneasy.
"I'll check upstairs."
She walked quickly upstairs.
She found him in the study.
"Adrian?"
He turned slowly.
His expression looked pale.
"Are you okay?"
Lina rushed closer.
He pressed his temples.
"My head… hurts."
Lina's heart tightened.
"Did you remember something?"
Adrian hesitated.
"I… saw something."
"What?"
"You… sleeping here."
Lina froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You remember that?"
Adrian shook his head slowly.
"Just fragments."
Lina smiled softly.
"You used to work late… I stayed with you."
Adrian looked at her.
"Why?"
Lina smiled faintly.
"I didn't want you to be alone."
Adrian's chest tightened again.
He didn't know why—
But hearing that hurt.
Suddenly—
Sophia's voice came from behind.
"Adrian?"
They both turned.
Sophia stood at the door.
Her expression changed when she saw them together.
"What happened?"
Lina answered softly.
"He got a headache."
Sophia walked quickly to Adrian.
"Sit down."
She gently held his arm.
Adrian stiffened slightly.
Lina noticed.
But she stayed silent.
Sophia looked concerned.
"You shouldn't push yourself."
Adrian nodded.
Sophia turned to Lina.
"I'll take care of him."
Lina hesitated.
"Okay…"
She stepped back.
But her heart felt uneasy.
Sophia helped Adrian sit down.
She spoke softly.
"Don't force your memories."
Adrian nodded.
Sophia gently held his hand.
But Adrian slowly pulled his hand away.
Sophia froze.
Her eyes darkened briefly.
"Thank you… I'm okay."
Sophia forced a smile.
"Of course."
Lina watched quietly.
Her heart warmed slightly.
Adrian was slowly creating distance.
Even if he didn't realize it.
After a few minutes, Adrian stood.
"I'm okay now."
Sophia nodded.
"You should eat lunch."
They walked downstairs together.
Lunch felt quieter than usual.
Sophia tried to talk.
But Adrian mostly listened.
Lina sat quietly beside him.
Suddenly—
Adrian spoke.
"Did we… fight often?"
Lina blinked.
"No."
Sophia suddenly spoke.
"You did sometimes."
Lina looked surprised.
Sophia smiled calmly.
"Every couple fights."
Adrian nodded slightly.
"What did we fight about?"
Sophia answered before Lina could.
"You were busy… she wanted more time."
Lina lowered her gaze.
It wasn't entirely wrong.
But…
It wasn't the whole truth either.
Adrian looked at Lina.
"Is that true?"
Lina nodded softly.
"Sometimes."
Adrian stayed silent.
His heart felt heavy again.
Why…
Did he feel guilty?
He didn't even remember.
After lunch…
Adrian went to rest.
Lina cleaned quietly.
Sophia watched her.
Then she spoke softly.
"You're trying hard."
Lina looked at her.
"Yes."
Sophia smiled faintly.
"But memories don't come back easily."
Lina nodded.
"I know."
Sophia leaned slightly closer.
"And if they don't… will you still stay?"
Lina answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
Sophia's smile faded slightly.
"You're stubborn."
Lina didn't reply.
She just smiled softly.
Because she knew—
No matter what happened…
She wouldn't give up.
Upstairs—
Adrian lay on the bed.
His mind replayed the fragments again.
Lina sleeping.
Lina smiling.
Lina waiting.
His chest tightened.
He whispered softly—
"Lina…"
Even without memories…
Her name…
Already felt important.
And slowly—
Very slowly—
Adrian Blake's heart…
Was beginning to remember.