RETURN OF THE FORGOTTEN BRIDE

ChapterSix

NATALIE’S POV

The sharp scent of antiseptic filled my nose as I sat at Richard’s bedside, clutching his hand. It felt so familiar, so solid, yet the connection we once shared was painfully absent. His eyes, once filled with warmth and recognition when they looked at me, now carried only polite confusion.

“I’ve been thinking,” I said, forcing a smile that I hoped masked my desperation. “Maybe we could go through some pictures together. I could show you the time we went to Paris—remember the Eiffel Tower? You said it was just a glorified metal triangle until we got to the top, and then you wouldn’t stop talking about the view.” the memories of our time together brought a warmth that i haven't felt since his accident

Richard tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing. “I… don’t think I remember that,” he said carefully, his voice tinged with guilt. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” I said quickly, though my throat tightened with each word. “We can start small. How about our favorite restaurant? You always ordered the—”

“Natalie,” he interrupted gently, his gaze dropping to the bed. “I’m trying, but… I can’t force what isn’t there.”

The words hit like a punch to my gut. I released his hand, my fingers trembling. “I know. I just… I thought something might spark.” i had become desperate and was ready to grasp at anything he could remember regardless of how little

His mom, Lana, appeared at the doorway. She gave me a soft, knowing look, as if she could sense my frustration. “Why don’t you take a break, Natalie? You’ve been at this all morning.”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, though my voice betrayed me.

Before Lana could reply, the door opened, and Amaya stepped in. She smiled softly, her presence. comforting.

“Natalie,” she said gently, “why don’t I take you out for some air? You’ve been pushing yourself too hard.”

“f**k! I said I’m fine,” I snapped, more sharply than I intended.

Her calm demeanor didn’t waver. “You’re not,” she said simply. “Come on. Let’s go for coffee.”

I glanced at Richard, who avoided my gaze, then back at Amaya. Her persistence wore me down, and I finally gave a curt nod, standing and brushing my hair back with a shaky hand.

Outside the hospital cafeteria, Amaya handed me a steaming cup of coffee. I stared at it, my fingers tracing the rim but not drinking. “It’s just so hard,” I admitted finally. “He’s right there, but it’s like he’s a stranger.”

Amaya nodded, her expression empathetic. “I can’t imagine how painful this must be. But Natalie, take a look at yourself you’re running ragged. Pushing him too hard might not be the way.”

I glared at her, the resentment bubbling up. “You think I don’t know that? You think I don’t see the strain in his face every time I try to remind him of us? But I have to do something. I can’t just sit back and wait for him to forget me completely.”

Amaya’s presence served as an outlet for all the hurt I had bottled up. I knew she was right and was just trying to comfort me.

Amaya sighed, her calm exterior cracking just slightly. “I’m not saying give up. I’m saying give yourself a chance to breathe. You can’t help him if you’re falling apart.” her voice began to shake as she pulled me in for an embrace.

Before I could respond, the sound of familiar voices reached us. I turned and saw Natalya and Jenna entering the cafeteria, their heels clicking against the tile floor. My stomach tightened at the sight of them.

“s**t!” the expression on Amaya’s face changes drastically at the sight of Natalya

Natalya, dressed in a sleek black suit that screamed expensive, spotted me first. Her lips curled into a smirk as she approached, Jenna trailing behind her like a dutiful shadow.

“Well, well,” Natalya drawled, her voice dripping with condescension. “Natalie. Still playing nursemaid, I see.”

“Not now, Natalya,” I said, my voice low and firm.

“Oh, come on,” she continued, ignoring my warning. “It’s admirable, really, how devoted you are. But let’s be honest—do you even know if he’d want you here if he remembered?”

Anger flared in my chest.

Amaya’s attempt to calm me down had gone down the drain the moment I saw Natalya

I stood, squaring my shoulders. “What are you even doing here? You have no business being involved in Richard’s life.”

“Unlike you, I don’t need permission,” Natalya shot back. She crossed her arms, her smirk widening. “I’ve known Richard a lot longer than you have. Who knows? Maybe I’m the one who could jog his memory.”

“Over my dead body,” I snapped, my voice rising. I was beginning to draw unwanted attention in our direction

Jenna stepped forward, her expression uncertain as she glanced between us. “Maybe we should all calm down—”

“No,” I cut her off, my gaze locked on Natalya. “You’ve always been jealous, always looking for a way to worm your way into Richard’s life. But he chose me, Natalya. Me. And no amount of snide remarks or petty games will change that.”

Natalya’s smirk faltered for just a moment, but she quickly recovered, tilting her head mockingly. “We’ll see, won’t we? After all, it’s not like he remembers choosing you.”

Before I could respond, Lana’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.

“Natalya?”

We all turned to see Richard’s mom standing in the doorway, her expression one of shocked recognition. Natalya’s confident demeanor wavered, and for the first time since I’d known her, she looked genuinely caught off guard.

“Mrs. Temple,” she said, her voice softer now. “It’s… been a long time.”

“You know her?” I asked, disbelief thick in my voice.

Lana nodded slowly, her gaze never leaving Natalya. “Yes, I do. Natalya’s father and I worked together years ago. I had no idea you were still in touch with Richard.”

Natalya shifted uncomfortably, her usual composure slipping. “We’ve crossed paths here and there.”

Lana’s eyes narrowed slightly, her expression unreadable. “I see. Well, I think it’s best if we focus on what’s important right now—Richard’s recovery.”

The tension in the air was palpable, but Natalya didn’t push further. Instead, she gave a tight nod and gestured for Jenna to follow her. “We’ll leave you to it,” she said coolly, though the edge in her voice betrayed her irritation.

As they left, I turned to Lana, still reeling from the revelation. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew her?”

Lana sighed, her shoulders slumping. “It wasn’t relevant. Natalya’s father was a colleague, nothing more. I didn’t think she’d ever show up here.”

I shook my head, the weight of the day pressing down on me. “This is all too much.”

Lana placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “I know this is difficult, Natalie. But don’t let people like Natalya shake you. Richard needs you to be strong, even if he doesn’t realize it yet.”

Her words settled over me, a reminder of why I was fighting so hard to bring him back. I nodded, drawing strength from her presence.

“I won’t give up on him,” I said quietly. “No matter what.”

Lana’s lips curved into a small, sad smile. “I know you won’t.”

And as I stood there, the echoes of Natalya’s parting words lingering in my mind, I resolved to hold on. Because Richard wasn’t just my past—he was my future. And no matter how hard it got, I would fight for us.