Chapter 1

After the Ferguson family went bankrupt, I spent money to secure a marriage agreement with Simon, the former heir of the family whom I had secretly admired for years.

"Marry me, and I can help your family regain its former glory," I said.

Two years into marriage, Simon went from being grudgingly accepting to gradually falling in love with me.

I had thought we could build a happy life together, but not long after, he was involved in a car accident and fell into a vegetative state.

Though grief-stricken, I never left his side and took care of him tirelessly.

Four years later, the doctor informed me that he had finally come to consciousness.

But when I rushed into the ward excitedly, I saw Simon holding Hadley, his childhood sweetheart, and calling her name affectionately.

*****

When Simon saw me burst into the room, he frowned, his eyes full of contempt.

"Who are you? Dressed like a slob. Do you really think you belong here?" Simon snapped.

"Why are you still standing there? Get out!" Simon barked.

What did he say?

I felt like I had been hit with a freeze spell, staring at him. How could this be the same Simon who used to look at me with such tenderness four years ago?

How could he wake up after four years and be like a total stranger?

"What's wrong with you? I'm—" I blurted out, confusion and urgency in my voice.

But before I could finish, Hadley, clinging to Simon's side, jumped in eagerly to interrupt me.

"Simon, she's one of the hospital staff. You just woke up; you shouldn't be overstimulated. Don't worry, I'll kick her out right now," Hadley said.

Hadley stood up and walked over to me, head held high and eyes full of contempt. "You, come with me," she said coldly.

She didn't even wait for me and walked out of the room ahead.

Without thinking, I looked over at Simon, catching his gaze.

But he frowned again, clearly annoyed. "What are you still standing there for? Didn't you hear what she said?"

As soon as I heard those words, my eyes filled with tears. I lost it and yelled, "Simon, what the hell is wrong with you? I'm not a hospital worker. I'm your wife!"

"I've been the one looking after you these past four years," I said, voice shaking.

But before I could finish, Simon cut me off.

"I was in a coma, not brain-dead. Hadley's the one who's been here for me," Simon shot back.

"And look at you. You really think I'd ever go for someone like you? Is this hospital so desperate they'll hire anyone off the street?" Simon sneered.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the man who once treated me with such tenderness could hurt me like this.

Hadley grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room. She leaned in, voice low but practically bursting with smugness.

"Estelle, let me be real with you. Simon's got amnesia. His memory's stuck back when he and I were together," Hadley said.

"So what if you've been looking after him these past four years? He only has eyes for me now. He doesn't even remember you," Hadley said.

"And don't even think about trying to make him remember you. I won't let you get your way. Besides, look at you. You're a total mess. Simon would never go for someone like you." Hadley scoffed.

I glanced down at myself. My clothes were wrinkled, and there was still that lingering smell from not having time to wash up. Honestly, I looked like a total wreck.

But who was I running myself ragged for? All of this was for Simon.

Suddenly, a sour ache welled up in my chest.

Four years ago, Simon took on a job out of town, so I could have a better life.

It was the dead of winter, and he didn't even have time to throw on a warm coat before rushing out of the garage and driving off.

But not long after, I got the devastating news that he had been in a car accident.

Heart pounding, I raced to the hospital, only to find him lying there. He was covered head to toe in bandages, looking deathly pale.

In that moment, it felt like my whole world was falling apart.

The doctor told me that Simon had suffered a serious head injury and might never wake up.

Knowing he got hurt trying to give us a better life, I swore I'd never leave him, no matter what happened.

For the last four years, I had been commuting between work and the hospital, day in and day out.

Every single day, I'd help him turn over, give him massages, and talk to him, even if I knew he probably couldn't hear a word.

My family kept telling me to get a divorce, saying I was throwing away my best years on a guy stuck in a coma.

But before the accident, Simon treated me like I was his whole world. His folks had passed away ages ago. If I didn't stick by him, he'd have nobody left at all.