“If she encounters those people again… she might not recognize them. But subconsciously—there could still be a response. Fear. Discomfort. Even avoidance.”
Rafael’s gaze drifted back to the glass window. To Amara.
She was sitting there quietly. Her fingers twisting the bedsheet slightly as she looked around, curiosity laced with unease.
Just a month ago… she was his wife. And now, she was nothing. A stranger nonetheless. Wasn’t this what he wanted? For her to forget him? To erase the forced marriage? To walk away clean?
Then why did it feel like something inside him was being ripped apart.
“So when will she recover?” His voice came quieter now. He watched Amara looking down at the bandages. “Is there a chance her memory will return?”
The doctor hesitated again. “That’s unpredictable. The brain doesn’t follow timelines when it comes to trauma. It could take weeks… months… or…”
Rafael’s lips parted slightly. “…or never.”
The doctor said nothing.
Rafael nodded faintly, though nothing about him felt steady.
“So…” He exhaled shakily. “She’s a blank canvas now?”
The doctor adjusted his glasses. “It depends on what her mind chooses to hold on to.”
It felt like her mind had chosen a world… without him in it.
Doctor hesitated for a second before speaking again. “There’s something else too.”
Rafael raised his brow. Doctor looked down at the file, adjusted his glasses and motioned Rafael to follow him out. Unable to take this new information, Rafael stepped out the room. Running his hand through his hair.
“What is wrong with her?”
The doctor inhaled deeply.
“There are… things I didn’t disclose earlier. We were waiting for her to regain consciousness first.”
He motioned for a nurse. A blue file was placed into his hands. Rafael watched. Every second stretching thinner. Until it snapped.
“I’ll be direct, Mr. Luca.” The doctor opened the file. “The condition in which she was brought in… was critical. You’re aware of that.”
“But aside from the physical injuries…there were indications of repeated sexual assault.”
Rafael thought he misheard. “…What?”
The doctor swallowed. “The injuries weren’t just recent. There were older signs as well. And based on examination… the most recent assault likely occurred within twenty-four hours before you brought her here.”
His fist clenched. Then tightened further. Until his knuckles turned white.
“Say that again.” His voice was dangerously quiet.
“You’re her husband. I assumed—”
“I NEVER TOUCHED HER!”
The roar tore out of him before he could stop it.
Before the doctor could react, Rafael had him by the collar. Slamming him against the wall.
“Are you fucking with me?” His grip tightened. “I willkill youif you are.”
