His Wife, Her Stranger

The doctor urged Fernandez to call for a nurse while he checked on her. Michael and his mother stood frozen, their thoughts consumed not by fear, but by the wealth they would gain once she signed the documents.

Two nurses rushed into the room to assist the doctor. Thankfully, they managed to stabilize her, and the machine finally stopped beeping as her heart rate returned to normal.

Moments later, her eyelids fluttered. They squinted briefly before finally opening, her gaze fixed blankly on the ceiling. Her head was wrapped in a bandage, stained with dried blood.

“She’s awake,” one of the nurses announced.

Fernandez hurried forward, leaning over his daughter, his voice trembling.

“Ms. Charlotte, can you hear me?” the doctor asked, waving a hand gently in front of her eyes.

She blinked, her gaze shifting from the doctor to the unfamiliar faces around her.

“Where… where is this place?” Her voice was weak, barely audible.

“You’re at the hospital,” the doctor replied calmly.

“No,” she whispered, frowning. “I mean… how did I get here?”

Before the doctor could answer, her father stepped in, his voice soft but strained.

“You collapsed, sweetheart. That’s why we’re here.”

She stared at his face, then slowly turned to the doctor.

“Who’s he?” she asked.

A cold silence fell over the room.

Fernandez’s jaw dropped. The worst had just happened. He was her father, yet she couldn’t recognize him.

How bad is the damage? He wondered, panic clawing at his chest.

“Nurses,” the doctor said firmly, “we need to run some tests; I’ll need everyone to step outside.”

They all filed out, including Fernandez. He didn’t even care whether Maria remained behind or not; his mind was entirely on his daughter. He paced the hallway restlessly, his hands clasped together as he prayed under his breath.

Please don’t let her lose her memory… please.

It had happened so suddenly. Too suddenly.

For the next thirty minutes, nurses moved in and out of the room. Every second felt like an hour. Just when he thought he could no longer take it, the door finally opened and the doctor stepped out, followed by a nurse.

Fernandez rushed forward and blocked his path.

“How is she?” he asked urgently. “Please don’t tell me she doesn’t remember me.”

The doctor sighed, giving his shoulder a brief, reassuring pat.

“She’ll be fine. It appears to be temporary; she’s still in shock. Just give her time.” Then his tone hardened slightly. “And you’ll need to resolve whatever differences exist between you and them. We don’t allow chaos in the hospital.”

Before Fernandez could respond, Michael stepped forward.

“Hello, doctor,” he said quickly. “I’m her husband, and this is my mother.” Michael introduced himself, even though the doctor is familiar with him.

The doctor glanced at her father, who had already covered part of her bills when she was admitted. If she had a husband, where was he when Fernandez was asked to make a part payment to the hospital?

“Nice to meet you. I didn’t know she was married into your family. But please, if you encounter any problems, you can sort them outside the hospital.”

“There’s no problem. He’s just mad because we didn’t show up until now.” he lied.

“Can you hear yourself? You’re the reason she’s in such a mess. You both ruined her life, and now you’re here acting innocent,” he retorted, tears rolling down his cheeks.

He had gone back to the mansion on the day they left the hospital. When he arrived, the security refused to let him in until he said he had come for his daughter. That was when he was told that Maria had thrown her out and that none of them were allowed to come near the house.

That was how he found out that Michael wasn’t the only one who had maltreated her; his mother had supported everything they did to her.

After searching for her, he went home, only for her to return later and collapse right in front of the house. If the taxi man hadn’t drawn his attention and rushed them to the hospital, he would probably have lost her.

“Mr. Fernandez, you need to calm down. I’ll see them in my office. You can stay with your daughter for the moment.”

The doctor gestured for them to follow him, while her father returned to the room and broke down in tears.

The nurse who was in the room helped him up from the floor and guided him to the couch.

“She’s trying to get some sleep. You can’t wake her up,” she cautioned quietly.

Fernandez nodded and made his way out of the room. He sat at the entrance, engulfed in his thoughts, when Michael and his mother returned, interrupting him.

“You’re here.” She diverted his attention.

He stood up, already striding toward her room.

“You don’t have to do that. We won’t be staying. We’re leaving, but we’ll be back the next day.”

“We both know you’re not welcome here. I would rather not see you anywhere near my daughter.”

Maria and her son burst out in laughter. Standing in front of them, he looks pathetic to them.

“Fernandez, you’re forgetting she’s still my wife. We’re both are legally married.”

“Then you must be forced to announce your divorce on the news, exclusively,” he retorted, hitting Michael’s weak point.

“You think anyone will believe you?” Maria scoffed, urging her son to come with her. And just like a mother’s boy, he willingly turned on his heels while she headed back to the car.

As soon as they settled into the car, Molly spoke up.

“How did it go?”

“Not so well. I don’t think we can get her back,” Michael responded.

“And why is that?” Maria inquired.

“Because she’s lost her memory of everyone. She doesn’t even recognize her father.”

“What the fuck are you talking about? What do we do now?”

Maria cast her son a condescending stare.

“Listen to me. You can’t mess this up. Now that she’s lost her memory, it’s the perfect time to strike. Her father can’t do anything, he has no evidence to prove himself.”

Both adults stared at her confused. If she had lost her memory, there was no way they would be able to get her to even sign the papers.

“You just follow my lead. We’ll be back during the day. You heard the doctor—it’s a huge amount of money to clear her bills, and he only paid a small part of it. He needs us more than we need his daughter.”

“Damn it, that’s why you’re my mother. I can’t believe you think this fast,” Molly praised her, finding what she had just said amusing. With her memory lost, it would work in their favor on both sides, leaving her at a complete loss.

“I still don’t comprehend how this will help us,” Michael said, but he was ignored.

“Let’s go home. We’ll talk more later,” she said, relaxing back on the couch and smiling sheepishly.