chapter 1

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“Mommy Mommy look what Daddy built me! It’s a skyscraper?” my son was so excited while admiring the foolish bulk of plastic blocks. “ you have the best daddy don’t you honey!” I asked him while batting his hair and felt his little-self nuzzle into my lap. I looked up at my husband’s Pouty lips and feel Butterflies in my heart. Looking at how my husband and son are so alike it makes me wonder how life would be like if what happened five years ago never happened. Where would I be? Where would he be? Will we be as happy as we are now?
Five year ago.
“Hailey honey can you hear me?” I can hear voices. They seem so far away. Who are you? Where are you? I am trying to scream but my voice is not coming out. Help me! Can you hear me?
I’m trying to run towards The voice but it’s so hard. Everything is hallow and black. I kept running until my legs betray me and I fall on my knees. I was crying and shouting but nothing was coming out, no tears, no sound. Until a hand stroked my wet face and I felt nothing afterwards.
The next day:
“Doctor she is waking up” I heard a voice calling while I was trying to open my eyes amidst the bling light
Where am I? It seems like l still can’t talk! Everything is white and strange. I tried talking again but all that came out was some raspy coughs and whimpers. I felt a man assisting me to sit up and I another handed me a glass of water to which I gulped in one take. “Easy honey let the doctor check on you” Honey? “Who are you?” I asked the old man and saw his expression change “Doctor what is wrong with her? Why can’t she recognize me?” the old man asked a man in a white coat. “Miss can you tell me your name?” my name? What is my name? “what is my name?”

Three months later.
It seems like my name is Hailey. I am 25. My parents both passed in a plane crash. The old man is my grandfather from my Father’s side. His name is Gary Harold. And he is the only relative alive in my family. I was about to get married when I got into an accident. At first, I thought that I had a boyfriend or something but George, grandfather’s secretary has told me that it is an arrangement.
They also told me that I was disfigured because of the accident and I have been through many surgeries to fix my face. I think I look beautiful now but grandfather is very sad.
I have been going through rehabilitation ever since I woke up from the coma and now I am more or less like any normal person in this world.
My wedding is one month away and I still haven’t met my husband to be Jonah Dawson. Our first meeting is set next week. Grandfather said that it is not our first meeting and that I have met him a few times before the accident.
I have no friends what so ever. George said that people were jealous and that is why no one befriended me. “Being rich is something to be hated for” those were his words and how I wish things were different.
Later George also told me that my accident was not really an accident and that I need to be extra careful on whom to trust and believe.
“Young lady we are here” I heard George calling me “Hailey, George, my name is Hailey. I am not a young lady” we have this conversation every time he drives me back from rehabilitation courses. I have been learning every single thing. From how to talk and walk to how to handle the family’s business plus some piano lessons, violin lessons, swimming classes And other light stuff that I can handle with my not so weak body. Apparently, they are trying to help me get my memories back as soon as possible.
The doctors said that I am physically healthy and that my memories are gone because of a psychological factor. Because of those words, I have been visiting the Psychologist once a week.
I am home! I shouted mentally. I can’t shout because I am a lady. That is what I have been told in my second Etiquette lesson a few months earlier.
“Hailey honey you’re home. Come here, please welcome your in-laws” my what? It was the last thing I thought about before everything became black ad I passed out.

One week later.
Today I am going to meet my husband to be. I am nervous and it is not good. The doctor said that I pass out because of stress. It is why I have embarrassed myself in front of Jonah’s parents.
George has been annoying the hell out of me the whole week. As I have to do perfect today and not shame the family all over again.
I am in a knee long pink lace dress with a v-neck that shows very little. George said that showing less would make men want more. Trust me it is not something you want to hear from your grandfather’s hot secretary.
I am meeting him in our house at dinnertime. Grandfather thinks that it is safer here. Not my safety no. It is the family’s reputation safety. “You look breath taking” George word brought me back to reality. “It’s the first time you ever complimented me” he smirked and Bend over me. I was surprised and almost fell but his strong arm supported my back saving me from the coming pain. He came closer and I felt his lips almost touching mine “it’s not a compliment” I felt his hot minty breath on my face and shivers ran down my spine “Young lady” he completed as he straitened me to my feet.
My now hot face must be very red and that is the reason of the big smirk I wish I could slap of his face. I gripped his tie and bulled him very close that our lips almost touched again and whispered “Hailey George. I am Hailey” I saw his Adam's apple as he swallowed the nervousness. When I was satisfies I let go of him and looked back into the mirror
I had my hair and makeup done by a professional person. My nails are polished, and I smell of expensive perfume. “I am scared.” I admitted out load. “What kind of a person is he?” I felt George’s arms wrap around me and felt his chin on my shoulder. This is weird! George has never been this intimate with me. Or was he before I lost my memories. Is he my friend? “You can handle him” his words surprised me. “He is not anything you can’t deal with” his hot breaths soothed the lump of nervousness that formed in my throat. His warm hands calmed me down as they went up and down my bare arms. It felt good to be with him. It felt safe. I need safe.
“Mr. Jonah is here” the maid called from behind the door and the feeling of George’s arms around me was immediately gone. “You can do it” he encouraged me before he left the room. I needed ten minutes to summon some courage and go to the guests’ room in the ground floor of grandpa’s mansion.
The moment I walked into the room his green eyes pierced into my soul. As if he can see me bare. Like he can see my thoughts, feelings, past and future. I took a deep breath and his eyes watched the movement of my chest as it went up and down.
“Hi” I started this is awkward. “You really lost your memories.” he said in a board tone “let’s get this over with. I am going to say this one more time get it into this stupid head of yours” his tone is scary “I am not marring you. You either stop this marriage or I swear to god I’ll make your life a living hell” what do I say. My heat is bounding hard in my chest and it physically hurts. A ringing in my ears blocked all other sound. I could only see George’s lips moving as he tried to shake me back to consciousness but I need to surrender to the darkness. Resisting is too painful and all I really want is for the pain to go away.

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