04
1104 Words
04
Hannah’s POV
“We have your location. Her husband would pick her up in a few hours. Thank you, Nolan. You will be heavily compensated for this kind act.” And the line went dead.
I stared at the blank screen. Speechless. My heart thundered in my chest. The silence was so thick, you could cut it with a knife.
“Married.” Nolan scoffed. He backed away from me.
I was married. I had a husband. Did I have kids? Had I just cheated? What about Nolan?
Slowly, I rose to my feet. Almost robotic. “Nolan, I’m sorry. I didn’t–” I reached for him but he jerked out of my grip.
That triggered the tears. I let them fall.
“You’re married.” His gaze pinned me. I wanted to crumple. He gave me the look that I’d been dreading ever since we got close.
The look that I was a stranger. Because I was. He didn’t know me. Heck, I didn’t know me either. And this only confirmed it.
Hurt lined his features. Thick and raw. The whites of his eyes were red from the tears he was holding back.
We just stared at each other. Lost for words to say. What could even be said?
“f**k!” He yelled suddenly, kicking the chair. I flinched. It toppled over.
A sob broke through my lips. “I’m sorry, Nolan. I’m so sorry.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. Then he roughly dragged a hand through his hair and down his face. “Can’t say I didn’t expect this. But I hoped.” His voice broke and he sank to his knees. His hands pulled on his hair.
“I f*****g hoped,” he cried. It was the first time I ever heard him curse.
My heart squeezed painfully in my chest. Hot tears ran down my cheeks freely. It blurred everything in my vision.
I tried again. I reached out, and this time he dragged me to his chest. He held me in a tight embrace as he sobbed into my hair.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so so sorry,” I chanted. Over and over again. Those were the only words I could say.
I’m sorry I didn’t know. I’m sorry I lost my memory. I’m sorry that I’ll be ripped away from you in a few hours. I’m sorry that I’m married.
“I just got you,” he said brokenly.
I just got you, too.
Somehow, I’d hoped that my life from my memories wasn’t much of a big deal. I’d hope I could easily adjust to both lives if it ever came to that.
But it was obvious, I couldn’t. Not when I had a husband. A husband who I was supposed to love, and cherish… yet, had no recollection of.
What did it say about me that I’d rather be in Portugal with Nolan, than in New York with a guy I didn’t know… but was supposed to love?
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered again. My lungs greedily took in his scent and my brain committed it to memory.
He sniffed. “It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself.”
And I wanted to kiss him.
I wanted to kiss him because he was the sweetest man I’d ever known in the three months of my new life. I wanted to kiss him because he didn’t blame me for the amnesia. And, I wanted to kiss him, because if I didn’t, I’d leave without doing it.
So I did.
***
It was just barely past midnight when the doorbell rang.
None of us moved.
Nolan and I had packed up what little clothes I had. And then we cuddled into the couch, as we spoke in hushed voices.
This was the end. The fairytale had its sad ending. And now, it was back to reality… my reality
Nolan’s eyes flicked between the door and me, and without a warning, he kissed me.
Unlike the other one, this kiss wasn’t filled with apology, and regret. No, this was a desperate kiss filled with longing. Yearning. And worst of all… it was a goodbye kiss.
It was over before it even began. The tears came again. It hurt. It hurt so bad.
The doorbell rang again, and this time we stood. Nolan headed for the door while I gripped the handle of my suitcase tightly.
Nolan opened the door to reveal a dark haired man. He was tall, and had a rugged look to him. He was dressed like a New Yorker. Brown trench coat over charcoal colored suit. By this time of the night.
The man let out a breath of relief when he saw me. He took a step forward, but stopped. He glanced between Nolan and I, and his lips pulled into a deep frown.
His gaze hardened, jaw tight.
I flicked my eyes to Nolan, and my lips wobbled. Ignoring the man who probably knew me more than Nolan or I did, and also who probably loved me too, I walked towards Nolan.
With a broken sob, I hugged him. Squeezing him as tight as I could, praying I didn’t have to let go.
“Thank you,” I whispered into his ear. “Thank you, Nolan. I’m so grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I will call you.” I promised.
Nolan squeezed me back. “There’s nothing to thank me for. Go on home.”
He pulled away, taking my heart with him.
A clearing of a throat pulled us from the stare we gave each other. My eyes cut to my supposed husband.
In his hands, he held my suitcase. He took Nolan’s hand in a firm handshake. “Thank you for looking out for her. You will be highly compensated.”
“Can you all stop saying that?” Nolan snapped, yanking his hand away. His eye twitched, that familiar sign of when he was pissed.
I shot him a watery smile.
The man gently nudged me toward the door. And with one last look at Nolan, I mouthed; “Goodbye.”
I caught the tear that rolled down his cheek as the door shut behind us. I swallowed thickly. My chest burned with the need to scream. Wail. Anything.
We got into a sleek black car that sat at the curb. Then we sped off. With every distance, Nolan’s house got smaller and smaller… until I couldn’t see it anymore.
And here I sat. Beside the man.
This was my husband. And I didn’t even know his name.
- Writer
