He could only stay here for three days… Winifred felt melancholy but kept a smile on her face.
She should have felt content; after all, Garrison had returned.
“Aren’t you tired from all these round trips? t Am I putting too much pressure on you?” she asked.
Garrison emphasized, “It’s not pressure, it’s motivation. Besides, I’m not the one driving.”
“Have you finished your work in Peachshire Town?”
“I’ve completed part of it for now. The rest is delegated to my team. If I had to do everything myself, why would I hire them?”
Winifred thought that made sense.
Unfortunately, Garrison couldn’t stay long; he would leave again after three days.
Winifred wanted to go with him. Her condition had improved enough for her to be discharged months ago. She was tired of the hospital, feeling like she exuded the smell of medicine and disinfectant.
She dared not mention it, fearing she would burden Garrison and disrupt his work.
When would these brief visits come to an end?
Sometimes Winifred felt like mold in a dark corner, wishing Garrison would take her away.
She couldn’t tell if she depended on him or loved him deeply. Sometimes, a man’s image appeared in her mind.
The man was tall and upright, holding a camellia flower. When he turned around, she couldn’t see his face, only a mark at the end of his eyebrow that matched a mole on Garrison. She thought the man in her mind must be Garrison.
She tried to connect Garrison with that figure, and it seemed to fit more and more. But for some reason, she felt an emptiness inside. It was as if she had forgotten something significant, someone who had deeply influenced her; those memories were completely blank.
Whenever she tried to recall those memories, she felt panicked.
But she quickly calmed herself down, thinking that if those memories brought her harm, there was no need to remember them.
“Garrison, I’m sorry I forgot you.”
“Why are you suddenly apologizing? You have nothing to apologize for. Don’t say those words to me again.”
Winifred nodded. “I just think you’ve been so good to me, and I’m your fiancee. How could I forget someone so important?”
The atmosphere grew quiet. Garrison explained, “You forgot me because you were ill and lost all your memories. It wasn’t intentional. Besides, we’re together now just like before. If you feel there’s a difference, I’ll pursue you all over again until you’re my girlfriend and then my fiancee.”
Hearing this, Winifred felt even more guilty but subconsciously believed him.
Garrison was the first person she saw when she woke up and the first person who treated her well. He was patient and gentle, teaching her many things and helping her live more like a person.
She clung to him as if he were a lifeline; besides him, she trusted no one else.
Half an hour passed as they talked. Garrison didn’t sleep in the same bed as Winifred; the hospital beds were too small. There were two beds; he always waited until Winifred fell asleep before going to bed himself. He was more attentive and patient with her than anyone else.
“It’s late; lie down and sleep. Is your head hurting today? Let me massage it.” After massaging her head briefly, he tucked her into bed and told her not to overthink.
Seeing the red veins in Garrison’s eyes and his tired expression, Winifred quickly nodded. “You should rest too.”
Garrison pinched her sensitive earlobe lightly. Her face had undergone surgery and was still stiff and unnatural after months of recovery. The plastic surgeon said it was normal due to the extensive procedures; adjustments would make it look natural over time.
Garrison had gotten used to this new face; only her eyes remained unchanged from the past Winifred.
Her face had changed, and so had her personality.
This new Winifred was unrecognizable even to him at first glance, let alone Leland.
Garrison erased everything related to “Winifred.” She was still Winifred but only his Winifred.
Her eyes were too beautiful to alter; they were the most crucial feature of the face. Surgery could easily damage nerves and leave irreparable defects.
Garrison loved looking into her eyes because they reminded him of the old Winifred.
He leaned closer bit by bit until his face almost touched hers.
Winifred’s heart raced as she felt his warm breath approaching. Just as he was about to kiss her, she instinctively turned her head away.
The action was reflexive; even she couldn’t control it.
A soft sigh escaped Garrison’ lips. Winifred felt embarrassed and heavy-hearted as she hurriedly tried to explain herself: “Garrison, I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to… I don’t know what’s wrong with me…”
“Didn’t I just remind you not to apologize? You did nothing wrong. Follow your heart; whether you want it or not is fine. I won’t force you into anything you’re uncomfortable with.” Garrison forced a smile and patted her hair gently: “Sleep now; I won’t disturb you anymore.”
Watching him get into the other bed, Winifred felt awful inside. She hated her indecisiveness. Why did she avoid him? Didn’t she like Garrison? And he was her fiance who treated her so well. Wanting to kiss her was perfectly normal.
In these past few months with Garrison, their most intimate moments were sleeping together and hugging under the covers but never anything beyond that.
She resisted internally but feared that constant rejection would make him stop liking her. Yet she couldn’t overcome that inner barrier.
Fortunately, Garrison never forced her.