Chapter 7: The Parents Who Remembered
Morning sunlight slowly filled the hospital room.
Lina Carter stirred slightly, her neck aching from sleeping in the chair all night. She blinked slowly, adjusting to the light, and realized she was covered with a blanket.
She froze.
She didn't remember covering herself.
Her eyes slowly moved toward the bed.
Adrian was still asleep.
Her heart skipped slightly.
Did he…?
No.
It couldn't be.
But the thought alone warmed her chest.
Lina stood slowly, stretching her stiff shoulders. She quietly walked to the restroom, washed her face, and fixed her hair.
She didn't want Adrian to see her looking weak.
Not anymore.
When she stepped back into the room, Adrian was already awake.
Their eyes met.
"Good morning," Lina said softly.
Adrian nodded.
"Morning."
There was an awkward silence.
Lina hesitated before speaking.
"I'll get breakfast."
"You don't have to," Adrian replied.
Lina smiled faintly.
"I want to."
She left before he could say anything else.
Adrian watched her leave quietly.
His eyes shifted toward the chair where she slept.
The blanket.
He frowned slightly.
For some reason…
Seeing her sleeping like that last night bothered him.
She looked fragile.
Yet stubborn.
He didn't understand why she was trying so hard.
He didn't understand why…
He didn't want her to look hurt.
—
Half an hour later, Lina returned with breakfast.
She placed the tray carefully.
"You should eat while it's warm."
Adrian nodded slightly.
She poured coffee.
Just as she handed it to him—
The door suddenly opened.
Two middle-aged figures rushed in.
"Lina!"
Lina froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Mom… Dad…"
Adrian's parents had arrived.
Mrs. Blake immediately walked toward Lina and grabbed her hands.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
Her voice was filled with worry.
Lina smiled softly.
"I'm fine…"
Mr. Blake looked at Adrian.
"How are you feeling?"
Adrian nodded politely.
"I'm fine."
Mrs. Blake turned to Adrian.
Her eyes filled with relief.
"You scared us."
Then she suddenly hugged Lina again.
"Thank you for staying with him."
Adrian watched the scene quietly.
His brows furrowed slightly.
They seemed…
Close.
Very close.
Mrs. Blake then looked at Adrian.
"Do you remember anything?"
Adrian hesitated.
"Most things."
Mrs. Blake looked hopeful.
"And Lina?"
Silence filled the room.
Lina lowered her gaze.
Adrian spoke calmly.
"I don't remember her."
Mrs. Blake froze.
"What?"
Mr. Blake frowned.
"You forgot your wife?"
Adrian nodded slowly.
Mrs. Blake's face turned pale.
"Lina has been by your side for three years…"
Her voice trembled slightly.
"She loves you so much…"
Lina gently squeezed her hand.
"It's okay…"
Mrs. Blake shook her head.
"No… it's not okay…"
She turned to Adrian.
"You chased Lina for two years before she agreed to marry you."
Adrian froze slightly.
"I… did?"
Mrs. Blake nodded.
"You were crazy about her."
Lina looked surprised.
She didn't expect Mrs. Blake to say that.
Adrian frowned.
"That doesn't sound like me."
Mr. Blake spoke firmly.
"It is."
He looked serious.
"You changed after marrying her."
Adrian remained silent.
Sophia's words echoed in his mind.
"You never loved her."
But his parents were saying the opposite.
Confusion slowly filled his mind.
Mrs. Blake continued gently.
"You even fought with us to marry her."
Adrian's brows tightened.
"Really?"
Mrs. Blake nodded.
"You said… she was the only woman you wanted."
Lina's heart trembled.
She looked down quietly.
Adrian stared at Lina.
She stood silently.
Her eyes slightly red.
She didn't say anything.
She didn't try to defend herself.
For some reason…
That made Adrian feel uneasy.
Just then—
The door opened again.
Sophia walked in.
"Adrian—"
She stopped when she saw Adrian's parents.
"Oh… Mr. and Mrs. Blake…"
Mrs. Blake's expression changed instantly.
"Sophia."
Her tone turned cold.
Sophia smiled politely.
"I heard Adrian woke up, so I came."
Mrs. Blake crossed her arms slightly.
"You came early."
Sophia ignored the tone.
She walked toward Adrian.
"How are you feeling?"
Adrian nodded.
"Better."
Sophia smiled gently.
Mrs. Blake frowned slightly.
She didn't like this.
Not at all.
She looked at Lina.
Lina stood quietly.
Her face calm but pale.
Mrs. Blake's heart hurt.
She turned to Adrian.
"You should rest."
Then she pulled Lina gently.
"Come with me."
Lina hesitated.
"I…"
"It's okay."
They stepped outside.
Once outside, Mrs. Blake held Lina's hands tightly.
"Lina… don't give up."
Her voice was serious.
Lina forced a small smile.
"I won't."
Mrs. Blake looked worried.
"Sophia is dangerous."
Lina nodded slowly.
"I know."
Mrs. Blake sighed.
"Adrian loved you so much… he'll remember."
Lina's eyes softened.
"I hope so…"
Inside the room…
Sophia sat beside Adrian.
"Your parents seem tense."
Adrian nodded.
"They said… I loved Lina."
Sophia's smile stiffened slightly.
"Parents tend to exaggerate."
Adrian looked at her.
"You think so?"
Sophia nodded.
"You were kind to her… but love is different."
Adrian stayed silent.
Sophia leaned closer.
"You loved me for years."
Her voice softened.
"That doesn't disappear easily."
Adrian stared at her.
Her words sounded convincing.
But…
For some reason…
He remembered Lina sleeping beside his bed.
Holding his hand.
Crying quietly.
His chest tightened again.
He frowned.
Sophia noticed.
"What's wrong?"
Adrian shook his head.
"Nothing."
But inside…
Something was changing.
Because for the first time—
Two different truths were fighting inside his mind.
And Adrian Blake…
Didn't know which one to believe.