BACK AT THE ALTAR

Chapter 2: Awakening confusion

As I slowly opened my eyes, Everything was blurry. I tried to sit up, but my head hurts. I looked around but I didn’t know where I was. I don’t even remember my name.

A man stood up and smiled at me “Hey, you’re awake, how are you feeling?” he asked

“Who…who are you?” I stuttered.

“I’m Eric, your husband” he replied

"My husband?” I repeat, confused.

“ Yeah, we’ve been married for more than five months now,” he said

“ I… I don’t remember you, I admitted.

“That’s okay, you’ve been sick for a long time,” he explains. You’ve been in a coma for two months.”

I looked at him, scared. “Two month” I repeated

Eric nods “Yes, you’re awake now, and that’s all that matters.”

I tried to progress this information, but my head was spinning

I looked around the room, feeling overwhelmed. “I…I need to get out of here, I stuttered

John tried to calm me down. “Hey, it’s okay, just relax. I know you’re confused but just relax”

But I was too scared. I tried to stand up, but my legs were weak. I stumbled and fell

Eric tried to catch me, but I pushed him away. “N-no…don’t touch me!” I stuttered.

Eric looked worried, but he backs off. “ Okay, I won’t touch you. Just calm down.”

I tried to run, but I didn’t know where I was going. I just knew that I needed to get out of there

I held the wall for support as I left the ward

As I quickly exited the room,John desperately yells for help” Emily, come back!” But I didn’t listen to his calls, Instead I took a sharp turn to the opposite direction, ultimately colliding with an arrogant stranger, John

The man's eyes narrowed, and his expression turned cold as he gazed at me. He was taken back by the sudden collision, and his drink spilled all over his expensive-looking black suit.

"Watch where you're going!" he barked, his voice dripping with radiating disgust.

I was still disoriented and struggling to stay upright, I looked up at the man with a mixture of fear and confusion. I took in his arrogant expression and felt a surge of anxiety.

"I...I'm sorry," I stuttered, trying to apologize.

But the man just scoffed, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. "You should be sorry," he muttered, clearly unimpressed

The man's eyes narrowed, and his expression turned cold as he gazed at Emily

I looked up at the man, as my eyes pleading for answers. "Where is this place?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly.

The man raised an eyebrow, his expression looked astonished. “You don't even know where you are? Are you alright? You need to see a psychiatrist or something. You're clearly not okay."

Emily's face flushed with anger. "I'm fine, thank you very much. I just...I don't remember anything."

The man chuckled . "Save it, sweetheart. You're clearly a few screws loose."

Just as it seemed like the argument was escalating, an older man appeared in the corridor, his eyes fixed on the arrogant man.

"John, what's going on here?" he asked, his voice firm but curious.

The arrogant man, John , turned to his grandfather. "Just dealing with a crazy person, grandfather. No need to worry”

The older man’s eyes turned to me, and his expression softened “And who is this young lady?”he asked

John snorted. “No idea, grandfather. But she clearly not right in the head.”

The man

The older man's eyes turned to Emily, and his expression softened. "And who might this young lady be?" he asked, his voice gentle.

John snorted. "No idea, grandfather. But she's clearly not right in the head."

The older man's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on John. "That's not the right oway to speak to someone, John. Apologize."

John's face darkened, but he muttered a reluctant apology.

The older man turned to me as he stretched his hand. "I apologize for my son's behavior. My name is Mr. Smith, And you are

I gazed at Mr Smith outstretched hand, my mind racing with uncertainty.

*What does he want from me? Why is he being so kind? I looked up at him, searching for answers in his warm, gentle eyes.

Before I could react, John intervened, his voice laced with despise. "Grandfather, what are you doing? You can't seriously be offering her a handshake?" He scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "She doesn't even know where she is, let alone know you. Does she deserve your respect?"

John crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Emily. His body language screamed superiority, as if he was better than her simply because he knew his own name.

Grandfather smith expression softened as he looked at Emily. "Do you have anywhere to go, child? Somewhere to spend the night?" He asked gently, his voice filled with concern.

John snorted, his eyes flashing with disgust . "Seriously, grandfather? You're offering her shelter? She's a complete stranger, and we know nothing about her."

Emily's eyes widened, feeling a sting from John’s harsh words. She took another step back, her heart racing with uncertainty.

Grandfather smith held up a hand, his voice firm. "That's enough, Marcus. We'll not turn her away. She's clearly in need of help."

John’s face reddened, his voice rising. "Fine, but don't expect me to welcome her with open arms."

The air was thick with tension, and I felt like an outsider, unsure of what to do next.