Chapter 3: The Woman From His Past
The hospital corridor felt unusually cold.
Lina Carter sat quietly on the chair outside Adrian's room, her fingers clenched tightly together. Her eyes were still red, but she had stopped crying. Perhaps she had cried too much already.
Or maybe…
She was too numb to cry anymore.
Her husband had forgotten her.
Forgotten their marriage.
Forgotten their love.
But remembered his ex-girlfriend.
The thought alone felt like a knife twisting in her heart.
The door behind her suddenly opened.
She turned.
The doctor stepped out, followed by a nurse.
"Mrs. Blake, Mr. Blake is resting now," the doctor said gently.
Lina nodded slowly.
"Can I go inside later?"
"Yes, but try not to stress him."
Lina gave a weak smile.
"I won't."
The doctor left.
Lina leaned back against the chair, closing her eyes for a moment.
Her mind replayed Adrian's words again.
"I don't remember you."
Her chest tightened.
Suddenly—
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Lina opened her eyes.
A woman appeared at the end of the hallway.
She was beautiful.
Tall, elegant, and dressed in a stylish cream coat. Her long brown hair flowed over her shoulders, and her makeup was flawless.
Lina's heart sank instantly.
She recognized her.
Sophia Grant.
Adrian's ex-girlfriend.
Sophia walked quickly toward the room, her heels clicking sharply on the floor.
When she noticed Lina sitting outside, she paused slightly.
A faint smirk appeared on her lips.
"You're still here?"
Her voice was calm… but carried a hint of mockery.
Lina stood slowly.
"He just woke up…"
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
She stepped closer.
"And?"
Lina hesitated.
Her lips trembled slightly.
"He… lost his memory."
Sophia's eyes widened—though the surprise seemed a bit too quick.
"Memory loss?"
She looked interested now.
"What kind?"
Lina forced herself to speak.
"He forgot… our marriage."
Sophia's lips curved subtly.
"And…?"
Lina swallowed hard.
"He remembers you."
Silence filled the air.
Then—
Sophia smiled.
A slow, satisfied smile.
"Really?"
Lina's heart dropped.
Sophia brushed her hair back casually.
"That's… unfortunate."
Her tone, however, didn't sound unfortunate at all.
Lina clenched her hands.
"He's still my husband."
Sophia chuckled softly.
"Is he?"
Lina stiffened.
Sophia leaned closer.
"If he doesn't remember you… does that marriage still mean anything?"
Lina felt anger rising.
"He will remember."
Sophia shrugged.
"Maybe."
She then walked past Lina and pushed the door open.
Lina stood frozen.
Her heart pounded heavily.
She didn't want Sophia near Adrian.
But she had no right to stop her.
Not anymore.
—
Inside the room…
Adrian opened his eyes as he heard the door.
Sophia walked in slowly.
"Adrian."
Her voice softened instantly.
Adrian looked at her.
For the first time since waking up—
His expression relaxed.
"Sophia."
She smiled gently.
"You're finally awake."
She walked to his bedside and sat down.
"I was so worried."
Adrian studied her face.
"You look the same."
Sophia laughed softly.
"And you look terrible."
Adrian smirked faintly.
"Probably."
Sophia reached out and touched his hand.
"I'm glad you're okay."
Adrian didn't pull away.
For some reason…
Her touch didn't feel strange.
It felt familiar.
Comfortable.
Outside the room…
Lina watched through the small glass window.
Her heart shattered again.
Sophia looked like she belonged there.
Like she was the rightful person by Adrian's side.
Lina slowly lowered her gaze.
She turned away.
Her chest hurt too much to keep watching.
Inside—
Sophia leaned closer.
"Do you remember everything?"
Adrian nodded.
"Mostly."
"And… us?"
Adrian looked at her.
"Yes."
Sophia's smile deepened.
"That's good."
She hesitated slightly.
"Do you remember… why we broke up?"
Adrian frowned.
His head suddenly throbbed.
Fragments of memories flashed—
Arguments.
Distance.
Cold silence.
Adrian winced slightly.
"I… don't remember clearly."
Sophia quickly spoke.
"It's okay."
Her voice was gentle.
"We just… drifted apart."
Adrian nodded slowly.
"I see."
Sophia glanced toward the door.
"That woman outside…"
Adrian looked at her.
"She says she's my wife."
Sophia sighed softly.
"Yes…"
Adrian frowned.
"Is that true?"
Sophia paused.
Then she nodded slowly.
"Yes… you married her…"
Adrian stayed silent.
Sophia continued.
"But…"
Adrian looked at her.
"You never loved her."
The words hung heavily in the air.
Adrian's brows furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
Sophia lowered her gaze slightly.
"You married her… after we broke up."
She forced a small smile.
"I guess… you were lonely."
Adrian remained quiet.
Something about her words felt… strange.
But he couldn't pinpoint why.
Sophia squeezed his hand gently.
"But it's okay."
Her voice softened.
"I'm here now."
Adrian looked at her.
Sophia smiled warmly.
"You don't have to worry anymore."
Outside—
Lina stood by the window at the end of the corridor.
Tears rolled silently down her face.
She didn't know what Sophia was saying.
But she could guess.
And the fear inside her heart…
Was growing stronger.
Because she knew—
Sophia had always been good at one thing.
Manipulation.
And Adrian…
Had just lost the only memory that could protect their love.