Chapter 8: The Woman He Once Loved
The tension inside the hospital room lingered long after Lina stepped outside with Mrs. Blake.
Adrian sat quietly, his mind tangled in conflicting thoughts.
His parents said he loved Lina.
Sophia said he didn't.
Both couldn't be right.
Sophia noticed his silence and gently touched his arm.
"Are you tired?"
Adrian shook his head.
"I'm just… thinking."
Sophia gave a soft smile.
"You don't need to think too much. Your memory will return eventually."
Adrian nodded slightly.
But deep inside, something felt off.
Something didn't feel complete.
Sophia leaned closer.
"Do you remember anything about me?"
Adrian looked at her.
He paused.
"I remember… we dated."
Sophia smiled gently.
"You used to bring me coffee every morning."
Adrian tried to remember.
A faint image flashed.
A girl laughing.
But her face… blurred.
His brows tightened.
Sophia noticed his discomfort.
"It's okay," she said softly. "Don't force yourself."
Just then, the door opened again.
Lina walked back inside, followed by Mrs. Blake.
Sophia's expression subtly hardened.
Mrs. Blake walked to Adrian's side.
"We'll stay here for a while."
Adrian nodded.
Lina quietly moved toward the sofa, trying to make herself small.
She didn't want to create tension.
But Sophia's presence made her uncomfortable.
The silence stretched.
Finally, Sophia stood up.
"I'll go get some coffee."
Mrs. Blake nodded politely.
"Thank you."
Sophia smiled and walked out.
The moment she left, Mrs. Blake sighed softly.
"I don't like her."
Lina looked surprised.
"Mom…"
Mrs. Blake shook her head.
"I know what I see."
Adrian frowned slightly.
"She's just worried."
Mrs. Blake looked at him seriously.
"She wasn't there when you needed her before."
Adrian blinked.
"What do you mean?"
Mrs. Blake hesitated.
She looked at Lina.
Lina gently shook her head.
She didn't want Adrian to know.
Mrs. Blake sighed.
"Nothing."
But Adrian noticed the exchange.
Suspicion slowly formed.
Why were they hiding something?
—
Meanwhile, outside the hospital…
Sophia stood near the window, her expression cold.
Her smile disappeared completely.
She took out her phone and dialed a number.
"Hello?"
"Yes… he woke up."
She paused.
"He forgot Lina… but not everything."
Her voice lowered.
"No… his parents are interfering."
She frowned.
"I need more time."
After hanging up, Sophia looked toward the hospital room.
Her eyes darkened.
She whispered softly.
"Lina Carter… you won't win this time."
—
Back inside the room…
Lina was helping Adrian drink water.
Their fingers accidentally touched.
Lina froze.
Adrian also paused.
A strange sensation passed between them.
Quickly, Lina pulled her hand away.
"Sorry."
Adrian shook his head.
"It's fine."
Mrs. Blake noticed the moment.
Her eyes softened.
She remembered how Adrian used to look at Lina.
Full of warmth.
Full of love.
But now…
There was only confusion.
Suddenly, Adrian spoke.
"How did we meet?"
Lina froze.
She didn't expect that.
Mrs. Blake smiled slightly.
"You should tell him."
Lina hesitated.
Her heart beat faster.
"We met… at a bookstore."
Adrian listened quietly.
"You were looking for a book… but couldn't find it."
She smiled faintly.
"I helped you."
Adrian tilted his head.
"That's it?"
Lina nodded softly.
"You came back the next day."
"And the next."
Mrs. Blake chuckled.
"He was chasing you."
Adrian looked surprised.
"I chased her?"
Mrs. Blake nodded.
"You even bought the whole bookstore once."
Lina's eyes widened.
"Mom…"
Mrs. Blake laughed.
"What? It's true."
Adrian blinked.
He didn't know whether to believe it.
He looked at Lina.
She looked embarrassed.
For some reason…
Seeing her like that felt… familiar.
Suddenly—
Sophia returned.
She stopped at the door.
Her smile faded slightly when she saw them talking.
"I brought coffee."
Mrs. Blake nodded.
"Thank you."
Sophia handed Adrian the cup.
But Lina noticed something.
Sophia's fingers lingered longer than necessary.
Lina lowered her gaze.
She didn't want to feel jealous.
She had no right.
But her heart still hurt.
Adrian noticed Lina's expression.
A strange discomfort filled his chest.
He didn't understand why.
—
Later that afternoon…
The doctor arrived.
"Mr. Blake, your recovery is going well."
Adrian nodded.
"When can I leave?"
"Probably in a few days."
Lina looked relieved.
Sophia smiled.
"That's good."
Mrs. Blake nodded.
"Home is better for recovery."
But Adrian frowned slightly.
"Home?"
He looked confused.
"Which home?"
Silence filled the room.
Mrs. Blake answered.
"Your house… with Lina."
Sophia's smile froze.
Adrian looked uncertain.
"I… don't remember living with her."
Lina felt her heart tighten.
Mrs. Blake spoke gently.
"You should still go home."
Sophia suddenly spoke.
"Maybe he should stay with me for a while."
Everyone looked at her.
She smiled calmly.
"I can take care of him."
Mrs. Blake's expression hardened.
"No."
Sophia looked surprised.
"I'm just suggesting."
Mrs. Blake shook her head.
"He belongs with his wife."
Sophia clenched her fingers.
But she kept smiling.
"Of course."
Lina remained silent.
She didn't want to force Adrian.
Adrian noticed her silence.
For some reason…
He didn't like it.
He suddenly spoke.
"I'll go home."
Everyone looked at him.
Mrs. Blake smiled.
"Good."
Sophia's eyes darkened slightly.
Lina looked surprised.
"Are you sure?"
Adrian nodded.
"I think… it's better."
He didn't know why.
But something inside him told him—
That was where he belonged.
Even if he didn't remember why.
—
That evening…
Lina stepped outside to get some air.
Her mind felt heavy.
Everything was moving too fast.
Suddenly—
A voice called her.
"Lina."
She turned.
A tall man stood behind her.
Her eyes widened.
"Ethan?"
Ethan Walker.
Her college friend.
He smiled warmly.
"I heard about the accident."
Lina felt relieved.
"I'm fine."
Ethan looked concerned.
"And Adrian?"
Lina hesitated.
"He lost his memory."
Ethan frowned.
"That's rough."
He gently touched her shoulder.
"You okay?"
Lina forced a smile.
"I'll be fine."
But Ethan saw through her.
"You don't have to pretend with me."
Lina's eyes softened.
At that moment—
Adrian stood near the hallway.
He had come looking for Lina.
But what he saw…
Made him stop.
A man standing close to her.
Touching her shoulder.
His chest tightened unexpectedly.
A strange feeling rose inside him.
Something sharp.
Something uncomfortable.
He didn't understand it.
But he didn't like it.
Not at all.
And for the first time—
Adrian Blake felt something he couldn't explain.
Jealousy.