Page 50 of Awakening

“No,” he says. “You said it wasn’t necessary. I happen to disagree.”

I’m a little irritated that he basically ignored what I said, but because I know he’s doing this out of concern, I nod and follow him to see Chloe already greeting her dad by the time we get downstairs. “Olivia. My dear, it is so good to see you again,” he says, giving me a big hug.

“It’s great to see you too, Max.”

He pulls back to look at me. “How are you, sweetheart?”

“I’m doing okay, though, I think it’s safe to say I’ve been better.”

Max shakes his head, looking at the ground. “I feel sick about what happened to you, Olivia. You couldn’t be in more loving hands than right here with your fiancé.”

“You’ve got that right,” Ethan says with an easy smile.

Max proceeds to do a physical examination while Chloe chats about all the things in Pinewood she and I love to do together, which helps to put me at ease. “So,” Max says, “in light of what we think happened when Olivia was taken, I think we should do some bloodwork.”

“Agreed,” Ethan says without hesitation.

“What do you think happened? Is there more?” I ask.

“We think you were probably drugged. It’s Ian’s preferred method of control,” Ethan says.

“Oh, my God. That’s terrifying. Why would he drug me?”

“To make you forget me.”

“Wait, so you think that could be responsible for my amnesia?”

“We don’t really know. It could have been the impact of the accident alone, but it’s possible,” Ethan says.

“Olivia, I’d like you to come to the hospital for some imaging of your head in the next couple of days. I’d like to be sure everything is healing properly, and that no new problems arise,” Max says as he finishes with my blood draw.

“Absolutely. I’ll get her there,” Ethan answers for me, and I instantly feel irritation stirring in my chest.

“I do believe he was actually talking to me, and I do think I’m capable of answering for myself,” I say with a sigh.

“I was just?—”

“I know what you—were just. You just thought you’d take over. I’m only here to visit today anyway.”

Chloe and Nick watch our interaction while Ethan frowns. “I’m sorry, Olivia. I’m just trying to help.”

“Helping is not making my decisions for me. Who do you think you are, anyway?”

Nick stifles a laugh as Ethan shoots him a glare, and then he takes a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “I’m your fiancé, and I’m just looking out for you.”

Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’m just being a bitch. I’m feeling a little all over the place being here, knowing I’m in our shared home, but still not remembering anything. I’m sure we had a pattern and a way of doing things before I was taken, but right now it feels like he’s trying to take control of me and everything around me.

“You know, I think maybe it would be a good idea to let Ethan and Olivia have some time alone,” Max says. “Time together doing the things you love is really going to be the best medicine for you right now.” I feel my forehead tensing in a frown as Ethan raises his eyebrows, giving me an ‘I told you so’ look.

“Okay,” Chloe says, coming to give me a hug. “Just let me know how long you plan to stay when you figure it out.”

“I will. Thanks, Chloe.”

“Enjoy your time at home, Liv,” Nick says, hugging me as well.

Once everyone is gone and we’re alone, Ethan releases a deep breath and says, “I’m sorry, Olivia. I don’t mean to be pushy. It’s just that we’re usually on the same page. I guess I’m just used to you trusting me.”

My heart sinks when I see the pain in his eyes. “No, it’s okay. I’m sorry too. It’s strange being here, knowing this is where you and I lived together every day, and yet I feel like this is the first time I’ve ever been here. It has me feeling more emotional than I expected.”

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