Unbreakable Duty

Room at the End of the Hallway

After dinner and an intense discussion that followed, Dr. Thananusak insisted that Fahlada take some rest for the night. "You've been running on adrenaline all day," he said firmly, carefully re-wrapping a clean bandage over her wound after re-checking it. "You need to recharge if you're going to protect Earn effectively."

Fahlada hesitated, her eyes drifting toward Earn, who stood nearby with worry etched on her face. "I'm fine, Dad," she said, but the fatigue in her voice betrayed her words.

Rossami stepped in, gently placing a hand on Fahlada's shoulder. "Captain, let's go. You've done enough for today. I'll drive you home."

Earn, though reluctant, nodded. "He's right, Lada. You need to rest. But don't think we're done talking," she added, her voice firm yet tinged with concern.

Fahlada gave a small, weary smile, sidestepping the topic as she turned to leave. "We'll talk later, Earn. For now, focus on your safety."

Tan and Bow were quickly assigned to stay with Earn overnight, ensuring her protection while Fahlada and Rossami took the opportunity to recover.

"Captain, don't worry. We've got this," Bow said, giving a cheeky salute as Fahlada prepared to leave.

Fahlada's sharp gaze lingered on them for a moment. "Stay vigilant," she instructed.

"Always," Tan replied, his tone resolute.

Earn followed Fahlada to the doorway, her worry still visible. "Take care of yourself, Lada," she said softly, watching as her bodyguard and Rossami stepped into the cool night.

Fahlada glanced back briefly, her expression softening. "I will," she said, her tone reassuring despite her fatigue.

As Fahlada stepped out of the Phongphipat residence, the crisp air hit her, offering a brief moment of solace. Rossami walked alongside her, their pace steady as they made their way to the car. For the first time that day, she allowed herself to relax slightly, knowing that Earn was in capable hands.

===================

As Fahlada sat beside Rossami in the car through the cool night air, a wave of weariness settled over her. She allowed herself a rare moment of vulnerability, her mind drifted back to the day her world shifted—the day when she learned that Earn's memories of their life together had been selectively erased.

Flashback

It was at a quiet hospital office, the sterile scent of antiseptics lingering in the air. Fahlada just recovered after a month of therapy and being in a coma. Dr. Niran, Earn's attending neurologist, sat across from her with a mix of empathy and caution.

"Selective amnesia," Dr. Niran began, his voice measured, "acts as a shield, protecting the mind from overwhelming pain or stress. It's the brain's way of compartmentalizing trauma."

Fahlada clenched her fists in her lap, her knuckles white as she tried to process the words.

"Are you saying... she chose to forget?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet it trembled with restrained emotion. Still questioning why her wife wasn't on her side when she woke up from her coma.

"Not consciously," the doctor clarified. "Her mind created this barrier as a form of self-preservation. If we try to shatter that shield forcefully, we risk doing more harm than good. Emotional distress, re-traumatization, or even a deeper psychological breakdown are all possibilities."

The implications hit Fahlada like a freight train. She wanted Earn to remember their shared laughter, their quiet mornings, and their promises of forever. But at what cost?