Switched

Chapter 32 - Stormy Beginnings

Kayden's POV

Hazel nestled against my chest, perched on the simple picnic blanket, her gaze fixed on the rhythmic dance of the waves at the beach. I encircled her with my arms, the warmth of her presence filling me with a sense of peace and contentment. I stole soft kisses on her hair as I savored every precious moment of this idyllic day with her by my side.

As for my regained memories from amnesia, I kept them tightly guarded, a secret I hadn't shared with anyone. The fear lingered that if Hazel discovered the truth, we might regress to a time when she harbored resentment toward me, reluctant to welcome me back into her life.

Yet, I knew keep this secret forever. Eventually, I would confide in her. But first, I needed assurance that she had fully forgiven me, and that her presence by my side was a genuine expression of her feelings, untainted by the shadow of my past amnesia.

"Have you given any thought to our daughter's name?" I inquired gently, my fingers tracing circles over Hazel's baby bump.

"I tried searching online, but nothing really spoke to me. And then, after your accident, I just didn't have the chance to continue searching. Plus, I wanted us to choose our daughter's name together," she responded softly, turning slightly in my embrace.

I offered her a tender smile, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "What about Daisy? It's your favorite flower," I suggested, my hand still resting on her belly.

"Yes, it is beautiful... Hold on! How did you know I like daisies?" she asked, her confusion evident as she turned towards me, a flicker of surprise dancing in her eyes, her curiosity piqued by my unexpected suggestion.

Crap!

"Umm... You told me. How else would I know?" I mumbled, nervously rubbing the back of my neck.

Her eyebrows knit together in a frown, her gaze piercing as she searched my eyes for any sign of deception. "You've regained your memory. That's why you started giving me daisies again. Up until our dinner in your penthouse, you'd been giving me red roses," she stated firmly, her voice tinged with frustration, fixing me with a death glare that sent a chill down my spine.

"What?! No," I denied anxiously, forcing a smile as a cold shiver ran down my spine.

Hazel gritted her teeth in frustration, attempting to stand. When I moved to help her, she jerked her arm away.

"Don't touch me!" she snapped furiously, rising to her feet, her anger radiating off her in waves. "You deceitful jerk! You lied to me again!" she spat angrily, landing blows on my chest.

"No, Haze. Please, just listen..."

"Shut up!" Hazel shouted, hastily gathering her belongings.

I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of my guilt pressing down on me like a leaden cloak, suffocating me as I struggled to find the right words. Running a hand through my hair, I gathered my courage and confessed, "I regained my memory a week ago, back in my penthouse. I was planning to tell you. Please, believe me."

"But instead, you chose to keep up the act," she retorted mockingly, her tone dripping with bitterness, her eyes cold and accusing as they bore into mine.

"Because I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I needed to be certain that you truly forgave me," I snapped, frustration creeping into my voice.

"By deceiving me," she jeered, angrily stowing her phone and sunglasses in her bag.

I sighed, a pang of sadness washing over me as I pleaded desperately, "I'm sorry. I was afraid that if you found out, you'd leave me again."

"You're right. I want nothing to do with you," she declared firmly before turning on her heel and striding away.