Will forever love you

CHAPTER5

The comforting maternal warmth in Mrs. Brown's voice caused Makky to lean forward. She had always dreamed of becoming Mark's fiancée. This could be her chance.

Makky took a long breath and nodded. "All right. I'll do it."

A smile of satisfaction spread across Mrs. Brown's face. "All right. I'll let the staff members deliver the paperwork to you.

As Mrs. Brown left the room, her heart heaved at the notion of their plan. Makky took a seat next to Mark.

The nurse asked, "Miss Makky, please sign this document." Makky followed her instructions and signed.

Makky was standing at Mark's bedside, stroking the soft hospital blankets with her fingertips. His eyes were still closed, his face motionless, his chest rising and falling in a steady beat. Three days had passed since the mishap and three days since he had lost consciousness.

She forced herself to look like the distraught fiancée and swallowed hard. She had rehearsed the look in the mirror—the faintly distressed face, the loving but aloof stare, the little shaking of her hands. She needed to be flawless. When Mark woke up, Mrs. Brown had made it obvious that he could only see her.

However, she felt a nagging sense of guilt on her back. She had already banished Anna from her thoughts, not because of her. The chapter was closed. The ambiguity was what tormented her.

Would Mark recall her?

Was he going to wake up and grab Anna instead?

She had been reassured by Mrs. Brown that Mark's injuries were severe enough to impair his recall. They had the power to change his past if they were lucky. Makky would be more than simply a friend from his youth this time; she would be his future.

"Mark, wake up soon," she whispered as she reached down and smoothed the blanket over his chest. Here I am—your Makky.

Her phone vibrated in her purse just as she was ready to relax. After hesitating, she took it out. The identical number she had dialed two nights prior when she was still in a desperate attempt to locate Anna, showed on the screen.

She felt her tummy tighten.

She looked at Mrs. Brown, who was sitting on the couch, looking through a magazine as though she didn't care about any of this. Makky left the hospital room without saying anything and held her phone close to her chest. She looked over her shoulder to be sure no one was listening, her heart racing. Except for the distant beeps of medical equipment and the whispered voices of nurses walking past, the corridor was eerily still.

The phone was pushed against her ear. "Hello?"

At the other end came a rough voice. "You requested my assistance in locating Anna Jones. You were looking for answers. I'm phoning to discuss my progress.

Makky paused. I thought I told you not to bother looking for her. When Mark's future was uncertain, she had been frantic to see Anna, but now everything was different. She had been persuaded by Mrs. Brown that this was her chance, the time she had been waiting for all her life.

She might be engaged to Mark. She would become his fiancée, no.

She took a deep breath. She added, "I repeat, forget I ever called you," in a tone that was colder than she had anticipated. "Anna is no longer important to me. Put an end to your search.

A pause. Then a sour laugh. "So you finally got what you wanted?"

Makky's jaw tightened. "Just follow my instructions. Ignore this chat that occurred.

She hung up the phone and leaned against the wall without waiting for a response. Her fingers trembled a little and her breathing was erratic. She had just removed Anna from her life as if she had never been there. What about the scary part? It was... freeing.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. No more glancing behind her. No more letting Anna take precedence. She was in charge for once.

Mrs. Brown was still sitting close to Mark's bedside, watching him with an enigmatic expression, when she returned to the hospital room.

"Everything alright?" Mrs. Brown looked at her and questioned.

Makky grinned, having made up her mind. "Yes," she answered without effort. "Everything is just perfect."

A Few Days Later

Makky repositioned the diamond ring on her finger so that the light could shine on it. Mrs. Brown had already presented her as Mark's fiancée to the hospital staff, even though it wasn't yet legally hers. The part was both thrilling and weird.

Mrs. Brown had not been slow. She made a call to the media to make sure that they covered Mark Brown's loyal fiancée supporting him as he recovered.

Now there was no going back.

Makky was getting ready for another hospital visit, so she smoothed down her expensive dress. She froze when she walked into Mark's room.

He was conscious.

His bewildered, dark brown eyes fixed themselves on her.

She exclaimed, "Mark!" and hurried to his bedside. "You're conscious! "Thank God!" She took his hand and squeezed it firmly. "I was so worried about you!"

As though her voice was strange, Mark flinched, his brows furrowing. He blinked carefully, scanning the room before returning his attention to her.

"Who... are you?"

Makky's stomach dropped.

Mrs. Brown replaced him with grace. "Mark, you've been unconscious for days, sweetheart. You were involved in a horrible accident. She touched Makky on the shoulder. "This is your fiancée, Makky. She has supported you during everything.

Holding her breath, Makky looked for signs of recognition on Mark's face. However, there were none.

His face was expressionless.

His voice was scratchy as he repeated, "My fiancée?"

Makky attempted a cheerful grin. "Yes, Mark. It's me.

Mark didn't pull away even though his fingers jerked a little in her hold. He appeared to be deep in contemplation, attempting to piece together bits and pieces of a life he was unable to recall.

After entering, the doctor checked Mark's vitals. He remarked, "It's a miracle he woke up." "But as we suspected, Mr. Brown is suffering from memory loss."

Makky let out a slow breath. Even though she was aware that this was possible, it felt more real to have it confirmed.

Mrs. Brown squeezed her comfortingly. It's okay. We'll assist him in remembering."

Mark's perplexity grew as he glanced between them. "I... have no recollection. Not even my name.

Makky spoke softly and persuasively as she leaned closer. "Don't worry, Mark. I'll help you keep everything in mind. I will always be there for you because I love you."

She had prevailed. She was in the exact place she had always imagined herself to be, Anna was gone, and Mark had no recollection of her.

Everything was flawless.

Or so she believed.