Chapter 2
Tina held the phone, memories flooding back.
In her last life, the moment she heard the news, she had rushed out without even changing her shoes.
By the time she reached the hospital, Grayson was already gone. She searched the entire city for him for three days.
Three days later, they found him at Alma's apartment.
He had lost his memory.
The doctor said it might be temporary amnesia caused by the accident. It would come back with time.
During that period, Alma stayed by his side day and night.
When his memory returned, Alma killed herself.
Tina later saw her suicide note. It only had one line. [I'm giving him back to you.]
From that day on, Grayson's heart had been split in two.
"Tina? Are you listening?" Wanda's voice pulled her back.
Tina closed her eyes. "I'm not feeling well. Let his father go."
There was a short silence on the other end. "Tina, did you and Grayson fight?"
"No," Tina said. "I really don't feel well."
After she hung up, she sat on the edge of the bed and looked out the window.
In her last life, she had been so worried about him. But not this time.
At three in the afternoon, Wanda called again.
"Tina, Grayson really has amnesia," she said, her voice shaking. "The doctor says it's selective amnesia. It might be related to the minor head injury. He doesn't recognize anyone. He refuses to come back with us."
Tina stayed silent.
Wanda started crying. "Tina, can you please come? He used to listen to you the most. Maybe if he sees you, he'll remember."
Tina remembered being called to the hospital just like this in her previous life and the three long months that followed.
During those three months, Grayson always looked at her with distant, unfamiliar eyes, as if she were a stranger.
Then, one day, Alma showed up at the hospital entrance.
The moment Grayson saw her, something in his expression changed.
It was not the look of someone getting their memory back. It was something else.
Later, Tina found out the truth. He had never lost his memory.
He had just used it as an excuse to stay with Alma openly.
Tina finally spoke, her voice soft. "How long did the doctor say it would take for him to recover?"
"They said it should be quick," Wanda replied. "We're arranging for a top specialist. He should recover in about a week."
"Then you don't need me," Tina said. "Once he remembers, he'll come back on his own."
Wanda broke down on the other end. "Tina, tell me the truth. What happened between you two?"
Tina looked at the potted plant on the windowsill. In her last life, the plant was still alive when she died. She never knew if Grayson had ever watered it.
"My brother helped me apply for permanent residency overseas," she said. "I'll leave once the paperwork is done."
On the other end, Grayson's father, Calvert Hersey, let out a startled cry. Then there was a rustling sound.
"Tina, you can't leave," Wanda said, her voice turning urgent. "You and Grayson have only been married for three years. Is there really nothing you can talk through? I'll scold him. I'll make him apologize to you—"
"There's nothing," Tina cut in.
She paused for a second. "I'm just tired."
In the end, Tina still went to the hospital.
It was not because of Wanda's pleading. It was because of something Calvert said. "Tina, I know you've been wronged all these years. But Wanda has a weak heart. She can't take the stress.
"Just come this once. Just this once. Get him to go home with you. After that, whatever you decide, I won't stop you."
In her last life, Calvert had said the exact same thing.
Back then, she'd believed him.
This time, she didn't. But Wanda had been gasping for breath on the phone.
So Tina changed her clothes and left.
The moment she stepped into the hospital hallway, Wanda rushed toward her, eyes red. "Tina, you're finally here."
She grabbed Tina's hand and pulled her toward the room.
At the doorway, Tina saw him. Grayson was sitting on the edge of the bed in a hospital gown. His hair was slightly messy. He stared out the window, his eyes unfocused.
Hearing the noise, he turned his head.
His gaze fell on Tina. There was no change in his expression.
"Grayson, look who's here," Wanda said, pushing him gently. "This is Tina. Your wife."
Grayson looked at her. He frowned slightly. Then he shook his head. "I don't know her."
Tina stood there, looking at him.
She had known this face for ten years, from age sixteen to twenty-six, from their time in school to their wedding.