One Night With Her Forgotten Husband

Aurora’s POV Five Years Ago I woke up with a smile on my face. For the first time in weeks, I didn’t feel afraid of what tomorrow would bring. Today, I was leaving New York with my husband. My husband. I still couldn’t believe I could call Liam that. It had been exactly one week since we stood inside a small courthouse and exchanged our wedding vows. There were no expensive flowers, no hundreds of guests, and certainly no members of the Kingsley family. Just the two of us. And it was perfect. I rolled onto my side and looked at the wedding ring on my finger. Mrs. Aurora Kingsley. I smiled again. My phone started ringing on the bedside table. The moment I saw Liam’s name, I answered. “Good morning, husband.” His laughter filled my ear. “Good morning, Mrs. Kingsley. Did you sleep well?” “Not really.” “Why?” “Because someone promised to take me away from this city, and I’m worried he might change his mind.” “That someone sounds like a very handsome man.” I rolled my eyes. “He’s also very full of himself.” “Well, you married him.” “Unfortunately.” He laughed again. God, I loved that sound. “Have you finished packing?” he asked. “Almost. I’m trying to decide whether I need six pairs of shoes.” “Aurora.” “What?” “We’re moving, not going on a weekend trip. Bring everything.” “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one struggling to close this suitcase.” “I’ll buy you another suitcase.” “That’s not the point.” “Then what’s the point?” I smiled. “You’re supposed to tell me I don’t need six pairs of shoes.” “You don’t need six pairs of shoes.” “Thank you.” “But bring them anyway.” I laughed. For a few seconds, everything felt normal. Then I remembered his father. “Liam, have you spoken to Charles?” There was a short silence. “I’m going to see him this afternoon.” My smile disappeared. “Why?” “There’s one last thing I need to settle before we leave.” “Liam, please.” “Aurora—” “No. Listen to me. Every time you meet your father, you come back angry. Sometimes you don’t even sleep afterward.” “I know.” “Then why can’t you just leave things alone?” “Because I don’t want him coming after us once we’re gone.” I sat up. “What does that mean?” “It means I need to make a few things clear.” I pressed my fingers against my forehead. “Please don’t fight with him.” “I won’t.” “You always say that.” “And you always worry too much.” “Because I know your father.” Liam sighed. “Baby, listen. I’ll meet you at Grand Central by six. Our train leaves at six thirty. We’ll get on it, and by tonight, we’ll be far away from all this.” “Promise?” “I promise.” “Nothing is going to stop you?” “Nothing.” I closed my eyes. “Okay.” “I love you, Aurora.” “I love you too.” “And don’t forget your passport.” “We’re not leaving the country, Liam.” “I know. I just wanted to hear you complain.” I laughed before ending the call. If only I had known that would be the last time I heard his voice like that. By five thirty, I was standing inside Grand Central Terminal with my suitcase beside me. I had arrived early. Very early. I bought a bottle of water and found somewhere to sit. At exactly six, I checked my phone. No message. I called Liam. It rang until voicemail. I wasn’t worried yet. He was probably driving. At six fifteen, I called again. Nothing. I sent him a message. I’m here. Where are you? Six thirty came. Our train left without us. I stood near the departure board, watching the information change. Maybe he’d gotten stuck in traffic. Maybe his meeting with Charles had taken longer than expected. At seven, I called his assistant, Daniel. “Hello, Miss Lane.” “Daniel, is Liam with you?” There was a pause. “Mr. Kingsley left the office earlier.” “Earlier? What time?” “Around four, I believe.” “Was he going to see his father?” “I’m not certain, ma’am.” I frowned. “Can you call him? He’s not answering me.” “I’ll try to reach him.” “Please tell him I’m waiting at the station.” “Of course.” I ended the call. Another thirty minutes passed. Daniel didn’t call back. When I called him again, his answer was different. “Miss Lane, I believe Mr. Kingsley is still occupied with a family matter.” I stood up. “But you said he left the office.” “Yes, ma’am.” “Then where is he?” “I’m sorry. I don’t have that information.” “Daniel, please. Is something wrong?” “No, ma’am. I’m sure everything is fine.” But he didn’t sound sure. By eight, my hands were shaking. I had called Liam more than twenty times. I left another message. “Liam, please call me. I’m getting scared.” At nine, I finally left the station. I took a taxi back to our apartment, dragging the same suitcase I had packed so happily that morning. I didn’t sleep. Every time a car stopped outside, I rushed to the window. Every time my phone made a sound, I grabbed it. But Liam never called. The news came the following morning. I was sitting on the couch when a breaking news report appeared on television. KINGSLEY HEIR IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER TERRIBLE CAR ACCIDENT. For a moment, I couldn’t understand what I was reading. Then Liam’s photograph appeared. My water glass slipped from my hand. It shattered on the floor. “No.” The reporter mentioned a highway crash, emergency surgery, and a private hospital. I didn’t wait to hear the rest. I grabbed my bag and ran out of the apartment. I barely remembered the journey. All I knew was that my husband was hurt, and I needed to see him. When I reached the hospital, I hurried toward the reception desk. “I’m here to see Liam Kingsley.” The receptionist looked at me. “Are you family?” “Yes. I’m his wife.” She checked her computer. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Your name isn’t on the approved visitors’ list.” “There must be a mistake.” “I’m afraid I can’t let you through.” I pulled out my phone. “Look, we got married last week. I have pictures. I can show you.” “Ma’am—” “Please. I just need to know if he’s okay.” Two security guards approached. “Is there a problem?” one asked. The receptionist explained the situation. The taller guard turned to me. “Miss, you’ll have to leave.” “I’m not leaving! My husband is in there!” “Lower your voice, please.” “Then let me see him!” People were staring now. I didn’t care. I had spent the entire night wondering where Liam was. Now I knew he had been lying in a hospital, fighting for his life. And they wouldn’t even let me hold his hand. “What’s going on here?” I turned. Charles Kingsley stood a few feet away, dressed in an expensive dark suit. For the first time in my life, I was relieved to see him. “Mr. Kingsley! Please, tell them who I am.” His expression didn’t change. “What are you doing here?” I stared at him. “Liam was in an accident. I need to see him.” “You need to leave.” “What?” “You heard me.” I stepped closer. “Please. I know you don’t like me, but Liam is my husband.” His eyes hardened. “Don’t say that here.” “But it’s true!” “Whatever ceremony you and my son arranged behind my back means nothing to this family.” My chest tightened. “We’re legally married.” “And you think that gives you the right to come here and cause a scene?” “I’m not causing a scene. I’m trying to see my husband!” Charles moved closer and lowered his voice. “Listen carefully, young lady. That marriage will never be recognized by this family. You will not enter his room, and you will not make any more claims about being his wife.” Tears filled my eyes. “You can’t do this.” “I already have.” “Liam would never allow you to treat me this way.” For the first time, Charles looked angry. “Unfortunately for you, Liam isn’t in a position to make that decision.” I felt sick. “What does that mean? Is he dying?” Charles said nothing. “Please,” I whispered. “Just tell me if he’s alive.” He turned toward the guards. “Escort her out.” “No!” One of the guards gently took my arm. “Miss, please come with us.” I pulled away. “Mr. Kingsley, please! I love him!” Charles was already walking away. I was still begging when a doctor approached him near the corridor. “Mr. Kingsley, we need to speak privately.” Charles stopped. “Is my son awake?” “Yes. He regained consciousness a short while ago.” My heart jumped. Liam was awake. He was alive. I tried to move toward them, but the guard blocked my path. Then I heard the doctor’s next words. “However, there’s something concerning about his condition.” Charles frowned. “What is it?” The doctor lowered his voice, but I was close enough to hear. “Your son is experiencing memory loss. He remembers who he is, but certain parts of his recent life appear to be missing.” I stopped struggling. Memory loss? “What exactly has he forgotten?” Charles asked. “We’re still assessing the extent of it. But when we asked him about recent events and the people close to him, there were significant gaps.” My stomach dropped. No. Please, no. The doctor continued. “There’s a possibility he may not remember some of the relationships he formed before the accident.” I stared at them, unable to breathe. One week ago, Liam had stood before me and promised to love me for the rest of his life. Yesterday morning, he had called me his wife. And now— Now there was a chance he wouldn’t even remember my name.