Tempted by the ESTRANGED HUSBAND

/Prolog/

пролог (PROLOGUE)

        If there was one thing she hated the most it was the ambiance of hospitals.

        There were too much uniformed white walls. The constant smell of antiseptic. The contradictory hushed and screaming voices echoing in the background. The kaleidoscope of emotions on unfamiliar faces.

        Anne really disliked going to hospitals.

        However, she figured that if there was any chance of regaining her memories. She needed to retrace her steps. Thus, she had to endure the agony.

        She took a deep breath and sat on one comfy chair. She held her head and closed her eyes. Bile was slowly rising on her stomach as remembered the time she was hospitalized.

        She recalled the nauseating times she woke up groggy and weak. The days when the pain was so excruciating, she wanted to die. The moments when people came to visit her but she could never recollect their names. In addition, she thought of waking up with Gavriil by her side.

        His face shone with so much happiness as he held onto her hand. Then his face fell with despair as she couldn't remember his name or even recall who he was in her life.

        She stood up and walked towards the elevator. She pressed the top floor and decided to have some fresh air. She glanced at herself in the mirror. Suddenly, she had a flashback of her first perception of herself after her accident.

        She was bandaged all over. Her eyes looked too gloomy. Her hair and skin looked dull. She looked like an old and patched-up teddy bear. Yet, Gavriil looked at her like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Her heart warmed at the memories.

        Then as she suddenly recollected her misdeeds, her insides turned upside-down and ice-cold.

        She stepped out of the elevator and embraced the squall of frigid air. She hugged herself as she strode towards the bench. She leaned back and looked at the sky.

        The sun had already set and dusk was spreading over the horizon. It had already been a few hours since she left the manor. She assumed that Gavriil was frantically searching the city all over for her.

        She felt a drop of water in her cheek. She checked if it was raining but there were no dark clouds. She touched her cheeks and realized it was coming down from her eyes. She allowed them to fall and sighed.

        How long had Gavriil known of her misdemeanors? Had it been the reason why he felt so aloof and detached towards her? Did he marry her in order for him to guard her actions? Were they even married for the last five years?

        The rings on her finger suddenly became too heavy.

        She tried to reminiscence their first meeting. The way his eyes turned gloomy when she had forgotten everything. No, there were no sadness in his stormy blue eyes. There was only pity and a bit of relief.

        It was the same set of emotions she saw in his eyes today. Not only his but to everyone in the mansion.

        Her hands felt numb and her mind in a haze. The cool atmosphere lulling her to sleep. Her body felt hefty. She relaxed in her seat and slouched on the bench. Her head felt like it was being hammered. She hoped her migraine wasn't starting. Yet again, babying herself never got her anywhere nor allowed her recall anyone.

        She only hoped that if she did recover from her amnesia, everything would make sense. She could clarify her reasons and earn their forgiveness.

        She was tired of feeling lost and left out.

        She fluttered her eyes open and saw a couple of black shoes in front of her. It was followed by a few men in dark suits. She tried to block the dulling ache in her head and concentrate in figuring his face. He looked very familiar yet unknown.

        "Gavriil?"

        The man scowled and shook his head. "Sorry baby-doll but I am not your husband."

        Fear engulf her voice and her heart started rampaging in her chest. He looked oddly familiar yet she couldn't give a name to his face. Her instincts screamed for her to run. Unfortunately, her body refused to listen. She didn't have any strength to even lift a finger.

        "Don't try to fight it, Anne." His voice laced with humor. "Surprisingly, you have been negligent and a too easy prey. You need to be aware of your surroundings." He touched his chin with a chortle. "I let them give you the strongest tranquilizers to numb your senses and weaken your body." He walked towards her slowly. "It's been a long time. I hope you have been well, dear sister."

        The men around her stared to pick her up. She groaned in protest as they rudely grabbed her. Panic rose from the pit of her consciousness. Suddenly, flashes of memories came abruptly in her head. Nausea soon followed after along with the splintering pain.

        "It was tiring to wait for your husband to leave you alone." Her said-brother grumbled. Then he grabbed her head and grinned. "Father would be pleased knowing you'll be back." She winced with ache as he tortured her. She saw the elation in his face at her suffering. He let go of her hair and signaled the men to escort her out of the building.

        Before she could even try to scream for help, he covered her mouth with a cloth. Then everything went black and her mind went blank.

*****

A/N: Sorry for the wait everyone. Sigh. I have rewritten and rearranged this storyline for a hundredth time before I finally found the right plot for this couple. Yeah, i know. Clichéd start but hey, expect more twist and turns along the way. *evil grin* Stay tuned for the next chapter.

Xoxo, Mitsuki-chi.