The Abandoned Wife's Second Chance (Scarlett and Jasper) novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148

(Scarlett’s POV)

A soft knock interrupts us again. This time, Dr. Martin peeks his head in.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need to check on Mr. Blake.”

I start to pull away, but Jasper’s grip tightens.

“You don’t need to leave.”

“I’ll be right outside,” I promise. “Just let the doctor do his job.”

425 Pointa

Reluctantly, he releases me. I slip out of his arms and off the bed, my body immediately missing his warmth.

In the hallway, I lean against the wall and try to pull myself together. Blair approaches with two cups of coffee, offering me one.

“How is he?” she asks.

“Confused.” And gentle.

Very gentle. I frown at the question of his changed attitude. “Do people change when they get amnesia?”

“Some do.” Blair says, taking a sip of her coffee. “Think about it. A 25 year old is different from a 30 year old in both maturity and mindset. Not to mention, one’s experiences also shape their personality. So if those experiences no longer exist or if their memories stop at a specific incident…” she shrugs, and she doesn’t have to say the rest for me to understand her meaning.

Jasper’s memory is frozen at the storm incident five years ago, the day we were supposed to go on our Hawaii honeymoon.

If his last memory is of us almost dying in the storm…it makes sense why he’s so clingy. “Scarlett.” Blair’s voice is gentle but firm. “I know this is hard, but you can’t let yourself get pulled back into the past. You have a future with Dorian now.”

“I know.” The words feel hollow. “I just… seeing him like this, the way he used to be before everything went wrong…”

“He’s not the same person anymore. And neither are you. Don’t forget that.”

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Chapter 148

Before I can respond, my phone buzzes. Dorian’s name flashes on the screen.

My stomach drops. How am I supposed to explain any of this to him?

I think about the way Jasper held me, his fingers on my cheek, nearly touching my lips, and shame burns through me.

“Take it,” Blair says softly. “He deserves to know what’s happening.”

I answer on the fourth ring, my voice barely steady.

“Hi.”

“Scarlett? You sound upset. How’s Lily handling everything?”

Lily. I’d almost forgotten she was here, that she’d seen her father fail to recognize her.

“She’s… it’s complicated, Dorian. Jasper’s condition is worse than we thought.”

“What do you mean?”

I take a shaky breath. “He has amnesia. His memories are frozen at five years ago. He thinks we’re still married.”

The silence on the other end stretches so long I wonder if the call dropped.

“Dorian?”

“I’m here. Is it confirmed that he truly has amnesia?”

“What do you mean? The doctors won’t fake his illness…”

I hear a sigh pass through the line, and could almost see him rubbing the space between his brows. I feel bad. When he proposed to me, this wasn’t what he signed up for.

Dorian wants to build a future with me, and yet…I’m shackled to my past, bringing my mess into his life.

“What does that mean for us?”

“I don’t know,” I admit. “The doctors say I need to stay close to keep him stable. If he gets upset, it could make his condition worse.”

“How long?”

“They don’t know. Could be days, could be months.”

Another pause. When Dorian speaks again, his voice is carefully controlled.

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<Chapter 148

“I see. And you’re okay with this? Playing house with your ex–husband?”

+25 Points

The accusation in his tone stings. “It’s not playing house. He’s injured. He needs medical

care.”

“He needs medical care from trained professionals, not from his ex–wife who happens to be engaged to someone else.”

“Dorian, please. This isn’t easy for me either.”

“Isn’t it?” His voice turns cold. “Because from where I’m sitting, it sounds like you just got the perfect excuse to go back to the man who broke your heart.”

“That’s not fair.”

“Fair? What’s not fair is me finding out my fiancée is moving back in with her ex–husband.”

“I never said I was moving back in with him.”

“Oh, yeah? Then tell me. How exactly do you plan to stay close, without living together? I’m sure, the doctor must’ve also prevented you from mentioning the past. Doesn’t this mean Jasper still believes you’re his wife, that you two are still together? How do you plan to explain to him why you two don’t live together anymore without mentioning your separation?”

“I…” I turn my head.

Through the window, I see Jasper talking to the doctor, his face animated as he asks question after question. He looks so young, so spirited. So much like the man I fell in love with all those years ago.

He got hurt because of me. He’s in this condition because of me. So how can I just walk away?

“I have to go,” I say quietly.

“Scarlett, wait—”

I hang up and turn off my phone. I can’t deal with Dorian’s hurt and anger right now. I can barely deal with my own.

Dr. Martin emerges from Jasper’s room, his expression thoughtful.

“How is he?” I ask.

“Physically, he’s recovering well. The amnesia, however, is more complex than I initially thought.”

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