The present.
At the hospital.
The beeping of the hospital machines was as loud as usual. Lina, who had been lying on the hospital bed for almost two days now, after her blackout suddenly moved her fingers.
“Sister in law?” She heard a soft feminine voice. Her eyes were so heavy she couldn’t open them. Tears spilled out of her eyes at the memories she just recovered. Now, she understood many things that happened a decade ago.
Sister-in-law, why are you crying? Are you awake?” The distinct voice sounded again. Lina, who couldn’t wait to open her eyes to face reality, finally fought the grogginess in her eyes. She opened her eyes slowly. She closed them back at the sudden brightness, before opening them back slowly after getting used to the brightness. She was greeted by the white ceiling that was facing her.
As Lina got used to the light, her gaze fell on an unfamiliar face. The girl looked eighteen with her blonde hair that was beautifully draped on her shoulders. Her big green eyes make her look innocent.
Her skin was so fair that if she didn’t have a few faint pimples on her cheeks, she would have looked like a porcelain doll. The girl’s expression was etched with concern, and her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
Lina’s gaze lingered on the girl’s face, trying to place her. But she couldn’t remember ever seeing her before. Who was this girl, and why was she calling her “sister-in-law?”
The girl’s voice broke into Lina’s thoughts. “Sister-in-law, can you hear me? Please, say something.”
Lina tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse from disuse. She cleared her throat, trying again. “W-who are you?” she stammered.
The girl’s face lit up with a warm smile. “I’m Annabelle, your husband’s sister,” she replied, her voice filled with kindness.
Lina’s eyes widened in shock. Husband? Wouldn’t that be Raymond? Her ears turned red remembering his handsome face. She had wished he would be the first person she would see after she woke up. She remembered hearing his voice before her blackout. Her gaze moved around the room looking for his familiar figure. Her eyes fell as she didn’t see him.
“Are you looking for my brother? Don’t worry, he is with Dylan. He has been with you since you were transferred into the ward. He hadn’t stepped out until Dylan told him he had urgent information for him.” Annabelle, who had been studying Lina’s expression, says after understanding her sadness.
Lina nodded slowly, her eyes still adjusting to the light. She tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse from disuse.
Annabelle quickly grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table and helped Lina take a sip after helping her sit up. Lina’s throat felt parched, and the water was a welcome relief.
As she drank, Lina’s mind was racing with memories and emotions. She had finally remembered the truth about her mother’s death, and the role her father and stepmother had played in it. She wouldn’t rest until she saw they were punished. She can’t believe her father would go to that length just to take down her mother because of her property.
Her father and stepmother were still out there. She had no idea what they would do if they found out she had regained her memories. She can’t take the risk. She would have to tread carefully.
As her mind wandered off to how she would take back all her father’s care, which was her mother’s property, the wooden door of the ward was gently pushed open with a creaking sound. Lina’s gaze snapped to the door, her heart in her throat.
What first entered her sight was a shiny black leather shoe. A pair of long legs that were wrapped in black pants. Her gaze moved upward. She then saw the man who had unknowingly taken a place in her heart. Her breath hitched at his handsome face. His blue eyes were looking dull, but that didn’t take any credit from his handsomeness. He had a slight stubble on his chin.
“Raymond,” Lina’s voice was barely above a whisper as she called his name. Raymond, who was in low spirits when he entered earlier, lit up. His gaze snapped to the bed, where Lina’s beautiful face was locked to his. He couldn’t believe she woke up so soon. After she didn’t wake up after twenty-four hours,
Dylan had told him to prepare himself. She might fall into a long coma, and he doesn’t know when she will wake up. It all depends on her strong will. Raymond didn’t waste time sprinting to the bed. His arms were wide open as he pulled her into his warm embrace. His eyes were tearing up.
“Lina, you are finally awake. I thought you didn’t want me anymore, that was why you wanted to bind yourself to bed forever. I was so scared I would lose you. Why are you torturing me so much?” His eyes were tightly closed as he breathed in her familiar vanilla scent, which had almost been covered up by the hospital disinfectant.
“Is it because I wasn’t treating you well?” Raymond’s words tumbled out of his mouth hurriedly, not caring about his image. His eyes were still spilling out tears as he hugged her more tightly wishing he could fuse their bodies.
Lina’s eyes widened in surprise at Raymond’s emotional outburst. She hadn’t expected him to be so relieved and happy to see her awake. She felt a warmth in her heart at his words, and her arms slowly wrapped around him, returning his hug.
“Raymond, I…” she started to say, but her voice was still hoarse from disuse. She cleared her throat, trying again. “I’m sorry if I scared you. I didn’t mean to.”
Raymond pulled back, his eyes searching hers. Her eyes were welled up in tears. Raymond’s heart felt like it was being squeezed by invisible hands at those tears. He would do anything not to see tears in her eyes. If she wants his life he can give it to her.
Raymond’s index fingers traced her eyes. His touch was so gentle that Lina felt cherished under it. Raymond bent his face, his lips touching her eyes as he kissed her tears away. Lina closed her eyes, the touch of his lips on her ears making butterflies dance in her stomach. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer.
They didn’t seem to notice the shocked Annabelle, who was standing rooted in a corner, her eyes wide in shock. She hasn’t seen this side of her brother before. She always thought her brother was emotionless just like a piece of wood. Who knew it was because he hadn’t met the right person yet? She hasn’t seen Raymond cry before, except the day their dad passed.
When Grandpa Walton told her earlier about her brother’s marriage, she was so shocked that she was in disbelief. She and her mother wanted to quickly rush to the hospital to confirm the news, but her mother had to keep her grandpa company. She can only come here alone.
When she saw her beautiful sister-in-law for the first time, she complimented her brother for having good eyes. She didn’t know her brother was so into her that he would cry and complain just because she was sick. My eyes wouldn’t see this alone. She thought before bringing out her phone.
She secretly took pictures of the couple who didn’t seem to notice. Her brother’s loving gaze was well captured. She immediately sends those pictures to the family group so her mom and grandfather can see them.
Lina’s stomach growled loudly breaking the romantic silence they were sharing as they hugged each other. Her face flushed in embarrassment making Raymond chuckle as he kissed her cheeks. “It’s normal for your stomach to growl. You haven’t eaten for almost two days.” Raymond said, trying to make Lina not too embarrassed, but Lina blushed even more.
“Don’t say that.” Her small fist hit his chest gently, making Raymond chuckle.
“Um-um,” A soft cough broke their playful banter. That was when they realized Raymond’s sister was still in the ward. Lina was so embarrassed that she buried her face in Raymond’s chest. Raymond patted her back gently. His cold gaze snapped to his sister.
“Raymond, don’t look at me that way. I didn’t do anything.” Annabelle was jealous that her brother’s gaze on his wife and her was different. She sighed, at least he knew how to cherish his wife. She couldn’t help giving Lina a thumbs up for capturing her brother’s heart.
“What are you standing there for? Go get Lina what she would eat, and make sure Dylan comes back with you.” Raymond said to her. Though his voice wasn’t as gentle as when he spoke to Lina, it wasn’t as cold as when he spoke to his subordinate either. There is still a slight doting etched in his voice.
“Fine,” Annabelle said before turning to the door. She couldn’t help smiling at the thought of going to Dylan’s office.