Ava Monroe stood in the corner of the hospital room, dressed in the plain white uniform of a private nurse. Her hands trembled, but not from fear, rather, from the weight of the moment she had been dreading for months.
Lucien Blackwell, the man who had once been her husband, the man who had kissed her like she was the only air he'd ever need, was finally waking up.
Machines beeped rhythmically. The morning sun filtered in through the tall glass windows of the private VIP ward, casting golden light across Lucien's sharp features. He looked exactly the same, dangerously handsome, commanding even while unconscious. But the man lying in that bed wasn't the same man who had whispered "I'll protect you forever" just months ago.
Because Lucien had no idea who she was now.
Ava's heart clenched as his eyes fluttered open, revealing storm-gray irises that once softened only for her. He blinked, squinting at the light, groaning lowly as he stirred.
The doctor stepped forward. "Mr. Blackwell? Can you hear me?"
Lucien winced, his voice hoarse. "Where... am I?"
"You're in Blackwell Medical Tower," the doctor said gently. "You've been in a coma for three months after the car crash. Do you remember anything?"
Lucien's eyes darkened, confusion replacing clarity. "Crash?"
The doctor exchanged a look with Ava, but said nothing. Ava dropped her gaze quickly, pretending to be just another staff member.
"Do you remember your name?" the doctor pressed.
Lucien nodded slowly. "Lucien... Blackwell."
"Good. That's good," the doctor said, glancing at his chart. "We'll run further evaluations, but it appears your long-term memory may be affected. There might be gaps."
Gaps? Ava swallowed hard. The gap wasn't small. It was everything.
Lucien's gaze drifted around the room, pausing briefly on Ava.
His brows furrowed.
There it was, the moment she'd feared.
Recognition... and then nothing.
"Who's she?" he asked.
Ava felt the sting like a slap. She quickly bowed her head. "I'm just part of the care team, sir."
Lucien studied her a beat longer, his lips parting as if to say more. But he didn't. He turned away.
The doctor smiled reassuringly. "She's been by your side every day, Mr. Blackwell. You're lucky to have such attentive staff."
Ava clenched her fists behind her back, her nails biting into her palms.
Not staff.
Wife.