The Billionaire's Dead Wife

The First Withness

*Aurelia's POV*

I slept terribly.

I kept thinking about what I had seen last night. I wanted to remember everything this instant but nothing came. I knew I was connected to Celeste somehow. I mean I was her best friend so why wouldn't I remember her?

The problem was that every time I closed my eyes, my brain immediately replayed every stupid decision I had made over the last twenty four hours.

Kissing Kael. Avoiding Kael. Telling Kael it meant nothing. Then feeling guilty about telling Kael it meant nothing.

It was exhausting.

I was already annoyed. I got dressed and decided the best solution was to spend the day as far away from everyone as possible.

I had been confined to this house for so long. Maybe that was why I had been losing my mind.

The mansion was so quiet. It felt like I was the only one in here.

I had barely made it downstairs when I heard a voice from the study. It was Marcus. Curiosity immediately won. I slowed my steps. The study door wasn't completely closed, just enough for the voices to slip through.

It was Marcus.

Curiosity immediately won, I slowed my steps.

“...No.”

His tone was patient, but only barely.

“I've already told you, I'm not asking for confidential records.”

Silence. He sighed. “I understand hospital policy.”

Hospital? I stepped closer.

“But if she really remembers that night…”

A pause followed. I couldn't hear the response only at the other end.

Marcus rubbed a tired hand over his face before speaking again.

“No. I'm not accusing anyone.”

Another pause.

“I'm asking whether the nurse from Saint Gabriel is finally willing to speak.”

Saint Gabriel. The name settled somewhere inside me.

Marcus continued. “I'll come by this afternoon.”

Another pause. “No.” A short laugh escaped him. “I don't need anyone meeting me outside.”

There was a brief silence. “Fine. I'll see you then.”

The call ended. My heart immediately started racing. I stepped backwards just as the study door opened. Marcus walked out carrying a thick brown envelope beneath one arm.

He looked so distracted that he barely noticed me. “Morning.” He continued down the hallway without another word.

I watched him disappear before looking back toward the study. Saint Gabriel hospital sounded really familiar.

I walked into the now empty study. Marcus had already cleared the desk, my eyes landed on a small white business card lying beside the lamp.

It had probably slipped out of the envelope without him noticing. I hesitated then picked it up, it had the address and some other details which made me certain that Marcus was thoroughly investigating.

I slowly placed the card back exactly where I'd found it. My pulse wouldn't settle. I had spent weeks inside this house waiting, watching, trying to remember meanwhile Marcus had been investigating the entire time.

If he found the truth first then it wouldn't be good.

No. I won't let that happen. I quietly left the study before anyone noticed I'd been inside. The hallway was empty again.

I wonder where everyone was but that was none of my business right now. Back upstairs, I opened the wardrobe. I changed into simpler clothes. Nothing that would immediately draw attention.

Then I stopped, there was a problem. Money. I checked the bedside drawer. Nothing, of course.

I almost laughed. I searched again, this time inside the handbag that Hannah had bought me a few days ago.

My fingers brushed against something. A small wallet, and inside… some cash. Probably emergency money Hannah had left there without mentioning it.

I slipped the money into my pocket before taking one last look around the room. I had become too comfortable in this house, not anymore.

Quietly, I opened the bedroom door. I made my way downstairs one careful step at a time.

The mansion had a lot of guards and cameras but I didn't care. I was determined to go outside today.

This wasn't some kind of prison that I'd need permission to leave. Fortunately I didn't go through much trouble like I thought I would.

Ten minutes later, I was outside the gates. For the first time in weeks, I felt myself breathing properly.

The city was loud, busy, chaotic and somehow that felt comforting.

I walked without a destination but with the hospital address in mind.

Twenty minutes later I stood outside the hospital. It was older than I expected. The building looked worn, quiet, almost forgotten.

I walked inside. The smell hit me first. Disinfectant,medicine, clean sheets.

Something tightened inside my chest. The reception desk was empty, I wandered through the corridors aimlessly.

Nothing looked familiar, nothing triggered anything, maybe I'd made a mistake coming here.

I turned a corner then stopped. An elderly nurse was staring directly at me like she'd seen a ghost.

Her clipboard slipped from her hands. It hit the floor with a loud crack. Neither of us moved, she slowly walked toward me. Every step made my heart beat faster then she stopped right in front of me.

Her lips trembled. Then she whispered “...You're alive.”

Everything inside me froze. “What?”

The nurse looked horrified as if she hadn't meant to say it out aloud.

“I…” she shook her head quickly. “I'm sorry. You look exactly like someone I used to know.”

I didn't blink. My voice came out quieter than I expected. “Who?”

Before she could answer. “Nurse Ada!” Someone called from the opposite hallway. The nurse jumped. “I have to go.”

“No, wait…”

“I'm sorry.” She hurried away quickly.

I stood there unable to move. But I was confused so I followed her slowly. She moved surprisingly fast for someone her age, weaving through nurses, patients and hospital staff until she disappeared around another corner.

By the time I caught up, she was already standing outside one of the offices. I slowed immediately, the door wasn't completely closed.

Nurse Ada took one deep breath before quietly stepping inside. Something told me not to follow.

Instead, I stayed where I was. Hidden just beside the doorway.

“...I saw her.” It was Nurse Ada. Her voice was shaky.

Then another voice answered. It was Marcus. “What?”

My heart stopped. Marcus? I carefully leaned closer.

“I've already told the police everything I remember,” Nurse Ada whispered.

“That was five years ago.” Marcus' voice remained calm. “I'm asking what you remember now?”

A long silence followed. Then… “I remember…” Nurse Ada's voice trembled. “...because she's alive.”

My heart dropped. Alive? She was talking about me. My breathing became shallow. I should leave, I knew I should but my feet refused to move.

Then Marcus spoke again. “What do you mean?”

Nurse Ada hesitated. “I saw her today.” Everything inside me froze.

“...she was here.” My heart slammed against my ribs.

If Marcus turned around, if he stepped outside, if Nurse Ada pointed toward the door then everything would be over.

I slowly took one step backwards, then another, without making a sound, before either of them could open that office door, I turned and ran.