RYAN POV
Just like a flash of light, reality dawned on me. I was extremely tense, as I paced to and fro the hospital waiting room.
My muscles were unable to release, and goosebumps clouded my body. It was as if I had seen a ghost.
If this is a dream, please wake me up.
I kept tapping myself to be certain I was in reality and not a dream world. It was difficult to think straight.
My phone rang for the umpteenth time as I groaned out of frustration. My frustration only grew into anger when I saw that familiar number.
"Mr. Martin, the fake investigator. I am sure you got my message.” I seethed, my right hand in a fist, in an attempt to calm my angry self, but it didn't seem to be working.
“I swear that I made a thorough investigation about Miss Evelyn. Even the remains of her body found were tested and confirmed to be hers. Maybe the person you saw was a doppelgänger.” He explained, but I was not buying that.
It was Evelyn…. Evelyn, my wife.
"I will let this slide for a temporary moment, but keep in mind that if I find something fishy, I promise not to let go of you easily. Meanwhile, you are temporarily dismissed as my investigator until further notice.”
I could hear his heavy breathing at the other end. I wasted no time in cutting off the call. I was confused.
I sat down, as I raked my hand through my hair, feeling frustrated. I was confused and lost.
It was currently I felt overwhelmed with millions of thoughts approaching my mind.
How could I be so careless? Now, I seem to be in a big mess. Evelyn, my first wife, was probably still unconscious on the bed as we speak. Ariel, on the other hand, will be anticipating my return. How do I explain to her that my first wife was not dead?
She loved me. She would be so disappointed. I have to keep this a secret. Until then, I needed to focus on Evelyn. I needed to be certain she was fine. And hopefully, she would be able to bring me out of this trance I was in with an explanation.
For the past two years of my life, I was grieving because I thought she was dead. I never wanted to marry someone else because she was still in my memory.
Even though Ariel made me forget her for a while. The moments we had shared began flashing back like streams of water. It kept gushing out.
This is not happening.
My million thoughts were interrupted by my phone, as I weakly held it, Ariel's picture coming to face me.
She was calling. I ended the call as I decided to send a message.
"Milady, I won't be able to receive your call now. I will call you as soon as I can. Take care.” I hit the sent button, before letting out a sigh.
The door to Evelyn's room opened as a doctor came out. I stood up instantly.
"Doctor, how is she?” I asked.
"She is fine. She will be up in the next few minutes. Meanwhile, she was just shocked and fainted.” I nodded, as I shook his hand.
He left as I made way inside her room. Every step I took close to her bed brought out string of emotions.
She looked quite lean, her blonde hair cut short. She was no longer covered with a veil, neither was she in her previous clothing. She was in a hospital gown.
I exhaled, trying to stop myself from giving way to tears.
The door opened revealing a short chubby woman who was probably in her fifties.
"Who are you?” Her eyes scrutinized me from head to toe.
I was slightly speechless, as I cleared my throat to speak.
"I'm Ryan, her husband.” I replied.
“No way. You mean you are Loretta's husband?”
My face slowly creased.
Loretta? Her name is Evelyn.
I felt like shouting that to her ear.
"She is Evelyn, my long-lost wife.” I felt I would scream.
I actually did, as the woman flinched back. I wasn't exactly balanced with my thoughts and actions.
I took out my phone, showing her our marriage certificate as well as the pictures we took together.
She clamped her mouth as she glanced at Evelyn.
"I am her guardian. Some years ago, I saw her in front of my door. She doesn't remember anything. Ever since then, we have been living together.”
My head hurts from the brief summary that I got from the woman. I needed more answers.
"How did she get to Italy? Who kidnapped her? And how the hell did she lose her memory.”
"Why didn't you make a report ? She was lost.” I inquired as she sighed.
"I tried to, but she convinced me not to. Apparently, she thought someone might be after her life. Living in the less remote part of the country kept us hidden for as long as possible.” She stated, her face wearing a sober look.
I suddenly felt guilty for asking questions. Still trying, I still felt my stomach churn with unsettling emotion.
I was still lost for now. And the most triggering part was how to explain everything to Ariel. I am literally confused.
I glanced at Evelyn as her eyes were opened. I felt my heart throb with excitement, as I rushed to her side.
I held her hand, as she sat up. Meeting my eyes, she jeered her hand off me.
"Who are you?” She asked, her eyes squinting with auspiciousness.
"He is your husband. He found you.” The guardian stated, as her eyes widened.
She looked intently at me, probably looking for something to assure I was really the one. I gave her my phone, as she began going through the pictures of our marriage.
Suddenly, she screamed, as my phone fell off her hand, her right hand resting on her forehead.
Oh, no! I shouldn't have shown her the pictures. It must have triggered her memory.
“Hey, be calm.” I held her shoulders, as she hissed, tears brimming down her face.
"I will leave you two to catch up. I will visit the doctor.” I nodded, as I sat gently close to Evelyn.
"Is that really me?” She asked, her lips trembling.
I nodded, locking eyes with her.
She cupped my face, as I felt a cold sensation jingling down my body.
"Wow, I… I am surprised. I the... ought, I was all alone in this world.” She stammered, her voice low.
I held her hands, slowly removing it from my face, as I smiled warmly at her.
I don't know if setting boundaries with my first wife was something good, but I suddenly felt guilty being in close contact with another woman apart from Ariel.
Even in the midst of this chaos, I can't stop thinking about her.
"Why did you leave me? Those pictures?” She paused, as I began thinking of a better way to explain to her, without forcing her to remember anything of her past.
It was very difficult to come forth with words. I was still shocked.
"We were married? I thought someone was after my life. What is your name? Can you believe I kept staying hidden?” She kept rambling, as I breathed out.
"It's fine. Calm down okay.” She nodded, sniffing.
"I'm Ryan Ackers, and you are Evelyn Armstrong. We got married over two years ago. On the night of our marriage….” I paused, as it felt difficult to spew those words out.
I felt a sharp pain in my heart.
"Tell me more, please.”
I breathe in and out, as my stare cut to hers.
"We had a disagreement and I left the house to clear my mind. When I got home, the house was already on fire. I thought you were burnt because only a few remains of you were seen.”
"I searched everywhere, but it seemed you were dead. That was what I concluded, especially after the autopsy carried out, that was your remains.” I stated.
"What if I am not Evelyn? I am Loretta according to my guardian. What if I am your wife's doppelgänger or twin sister.” She spoke, before laughing for the first time.
Her smile and laughter never changed. There were enough reasons to believe she was the one.
I took a quick peek at her, as I was more than confident it was Evelyn. There is someone in the secret who decided to hurt me by keeping me out of Evelyn's life.
"You have a mole under your armpit and at the back of your neck.” Her eyes widened, as her brows furrowed.
I could still remember that it was during one of our make—out sessions, I discovered this. When it was leading to us almost having sex, Evelyn stopped me, and showed me the mole under her armpit to distract me.
How could I forget that?
She raised her left hand, as her armpit came to view, the mole appearing there.
"Wow, you are really my husband."She flung at me, embracing me tightly.
I couldn't reciprocate. I was just there like a log of wood, my mind flashing to how Ariel would feel jealous if she saw me this way with another lady.
She released herself as her eyes went to my fingers. Her hand lifted my palm, as she stared at the ring in my hand.
Oh no! I groaned inwardly.
With an excited glint on her face, she stared at me.
"Is this our marriage ring?"
With our eyes locked, I suddenly felt speechless.
It was as if cold air passed through me.
I was lost......