"The Husband I Never Knew I Had..."

"Uncertain..."

"We're what!!!"

I heard the birds cry before flying from the trees above. I'm pretty sure Adonis' voice was heard till the next hill over yonder.

"Married?" I squeaked.

"Why?" He looked like he couldn't believe he ever fell for me.

It hurt.

That rejected feeling. The last time I felt this miserable was four years ago, when my first and only boyfriend suddenly left me for someone more good-looking. I thought I've gotten over that feeling... but the way Adonis looked at me right now made me want to die in shame.

Before I could stop myself, I turned and walked out of the hut we shared together. My feet carried me away, quicker than I could stop the first few tears from falling. I left him there, gently calling out to me. I was deaf to his voice, and was numb to his apology.

Some time later, about an hour or so, I came back to our hut.

I've made my decision. I was going home. Home to Bubba and my dad. I was going to leave him here, safe in the woods, then ask Bubba to come back for him when everything was safe and taken cared of.

Before I could open the thin worn out wood that served as our door I heard voices... Adella was talking to Adonis. He sounded so lost, so miserable, that I couldn't help but eavesdrop.

"Cas loves you. He never left your side the entire time. He stayed with you from when you were unconscious, till now when you've regained consciousness."

"Why would he marry me?" Adonis asked pacing the small room.

"Because of love?"

"How? Why?"

"I don't understand child."

"What made him want to marry me? What kind of a person was I? Did I have a family that he got along with? Was I a good person? Loving, and kind? Did I always put him first before everything, enough for him to take such good care of me when I got shot? What made him want to stay with me through all the hardships? Did I love him enough?" He stopped pacing to suddenly hold his forehead. "I'm so lost! Too many questions, and my mind is a blank canvass."

"Anorexia."

"What?" Adonis looked confused.

"I think that's what it's called. When someone loses their memory."

"Isn't it amnesia?"

"How should I know. I've never had that." Adella shrugged her rounded shoulders.

"He left me. His face... I hurt him! It made me feel... so bad. I never want to see him look that way again. Ever."

"Even with your memory lost... you still feel for him. That's a start! Build your memories from there. Love. It's a good place to start."

I interrupted their conversation by slowly opening the door to let my presence be known to them.

"Hey." Adonis tried to approach me, but I moved out of his reach.

"Adella, I am going home to my dad. Adonis will remain here. Please see to it that he's well taken cared of. I will send someone to fetch him once I'm sure that he's out of danger. I will leave money with you before I set off tomorrow morning."

"You're leaving me? But I thought you love me?" Adonis looked forlorn and uncertain.

"I did. I do. But I respect your feelings too. If you're not comfortable with me being around, then I respect your need for personal space, and for some much needed time... to think."

"But we're married! You can't just leave me behind!" His voice rose an octave, I felt it shatter my resolve.

"Yes. We are. But I do not own you. You are not a property that I can control, command, or parade around to satisfy my selfish reasons. I set you free."

This is it, this was my way out. It was the perfect set up for me to leave. Adonis will be safe here, he can be returned to his family once Bubba has resolved his issues with Contreras.

I can return home to take care of my dad, but most of all... this will end my feelings of guilt. My conscience has taken a beating for all the wrong things I've done these past few days.

"No!" It was almost a command.

"What?" I stood frozen.

"You will not leave me. Ever! Where you go, I will follow. I am your better half. I belong to you... as much as you belong to me. And I say no! We stay together, until we're old and gray."

"You can't decide for me..."

"I can! I just did." He was arrogant. He was controlling. And he was sexy.

His eyes burned of fury, and passion. The same eyes that stared at me blankly before, now had purpose, and depth to them... and I could not help but shiver under their intense scrutiny.

"I guess that settles it then. I shall have Anselmo bring you both your dinner." Adella made to exit our hut when Adonis stopped her.

"Adella, thank you for all that you've done for me and my utterly beautiful husband, but from tomorrow onwards I would like it very much if you'd teach me how to cook, and where to buy ingredients so I can provide for my Cassie."

"I would be delighted. And Adonis?" I turned to look at Adella as well.

"Welcome back." She winked at me as the door slowly closed behind her.