Page 14 of Awakening

“Are you okay?” he asks. “What a stupid question. Of course you’re not okay.” He holds my hand and I take comfort in the warmth of his familiarity. “You’re not alone, Olivia. I’m here for you. Okay?”

I nod, looking into his deep green eyes. I can see now that he does look a little older, more mature. He’s still as handsome as ever with his dark hair and olive complexion. While his lab coat may hide it now, I can see he’s even more physically fit than he was a few years ago.

“How can I not remember being pregnant, Anthony? What kind of woman doesn’t remember having a baby inside her body?”

“Stop that right now. You are one of the kindest, most loving, and compassionate women I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing.”

“You must think I’m crazy.”

“You’re not crazy, Olivia. You’re suffering from head trauma.”

“This can’t be real. I don’t understand how this is happening to me right now.”

“I know,” he says, squeezing my hand. “I’m sorry.”

“What happens now?”

“Well, that’s what I was going to talk to you about next. You’ve recovered extremely well for the kind of trauma you’ve endured…too well,” he says, with the last part under his breath. “You only had minor lacerations and bruising when you came in, which seem to be healing…quite well,” he says, his eyebrows drawing together as he looks over my visible injuries. “The hospital considers you some kind of miracle after what you went through, but they want you to stay another night for observation. They’ll probably release you tomorrow.”

Panic rises in my chest. “Release me? But, where will I go? I don’t even know where I live.”

“I think you should come home with me.”

“What?” I ask, looking into his kind eyes. “Anthony, you just said we broke up years ago. Why would you want to take me in?”

“Because I care about you, and I can help you.”

“What about Chloe?”

“Are the two of you still friends?”

“Oh. We were so close. I would assume we’re still friends, but I…I don’t know.”

“I have an apartment with an extra room and I want you to stay with me while you recover. With the memory loss, you really need to be with someone you know.”

“I can’t ask that of you.”

“You’re not. I’m insisting,” he says, flashing me his charming smile.

“You really don’t mind?”

“Not at all. I want to help you.”

“Okay,” I say with a nod. “Thank you.”

“Good. It’s settled. You’ll stay with me,” he says. “Listen, it’s late and you need to rest. I’m going to check on the arrangements for you to be released tomorrow. I’ll let them know you’ll be staying at my address. Oh, and the police have been asking questions, but I’ve held them off. They may want to speak with you soon.”

“What am I supposed to tell them?” I ask with a shrug. “I don’t remember anything.”

“I’ll update them on your condition. I’ll ask them to give you some time.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course. I’ll be back first thing in the morning to check on you, but for now, you need to rest. We can start figuring out everything else tomorrow.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Liv,” he says, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

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