"Nothing is perfect." That's what people always say. Relationships don't last, and everything is fleeting. In this imperfect world, I've come to understand that truth. Even in my relationship with Caleb, a man who always puts me first and makes me feel like I could never ask for more. He's loving, thoughtful, and everything I could want-but as I've said, not everything is perfect. Caleb is a billionaire, someone admired, respected, and recognized for his name and stature. Meanwhile, I am just an ordinary woman, far beneath his level-someone with nothing to boast about, especially in his world. But Caleb fought for us. For years, he proved that no status or disparity could hinder true love. I never asked for anything in return-just his love. One day, Caleb said, "Let's get married." Stunned, I asked, "Are you joking?" He pulled me close, looked into my eyes, and said with sincerity, "I have nothing to ask for but to marry you." Overwhelmed with emotion, I nodded, unable to speak, as he embraced me tightly. "I have a flight to France tomorrow. Be ready when I return," he said with a smile. "I'll marry you." Though fear lingered in my heart, Caleb reassured me, "Don't mind them. Think of us. That's all that matters. As long as we're happy, we don't need anyone else." I believed him. We didn't need anyone else as long as we weren't hurting others. There was no reason to be afraid. The next morning, Caleb left for his business trip, promising to return and marry me. I waited for him with hope and certainty. But when the day came, dark clouds loomed. Rain poured heavily, and thunder roared ominously. Something felt wrong. On my way to meet Caleb at the airport, I was informed of devastating news: Flight 301 had crash-landed. I collapsed, knees weak, unable to process what I had heard. The promises Caleb had made, the life we were supposed to share-it all felt shattered. I screamed his name in despair, hoping it wasn't true. Days passed, and I relentlessly sought updates. Finally, I received a notification: Caleb had been found and was alive, recovering in a hospital. Hope surged through me as I rushed to his side. But when I arrived, I was stopped by his family. Caleb's mother slapped me and forbade me from seeing him. She accused me of clinging to something I didn't deserve. When I finally caught a glimpse of Caleb, he looked at me with unfamiliar eyes and asked, "Who's that girl?" In that moment, my world crumbled. He had forgotten me. The love we shared, the promises he made-they were erased. His family shut me out, leaving me with no way to remind him of the bond we had. Caleb, you promised. Will I ever be able to bring back the man who once loved me? Or is this the end of our story?
Chapter 1 Forget his love
Chapter 1
I still decided to come, knowing that everything might just be because of what happened. Maybe Caleb is okay now. I strongly believe that he wouldn't easily forget his love for me. No one can shake that-not even Caleb himself, who once told me and promised me that. Our love is strong, and I feel assured of that.
I stood in front of the hospital, gripping tightly onto the fruit basket I brought for him. Before entering the large building, I walked straight ahead until I reached his room. Taking a deep breath, I prepared myself to open the door. But just as I was about to turn the knob, a strong hand pulled me back, startling me. I turned to see who it was.
"You're here again? How many times do I have to tell you not to come back!" he yelled at me angrily, but I didn't waver despite his harsh words.
"Please, just let me talk to him. I'm begging you."
"How much do you want?"
"I don't understand what you mean."
"How much money do you need to stop chasing after him?"
"I don't need your money because my love for him is priceless. I may be poor, but I am not the gold digger you think I am."
"Don't flatter yourself. Do you think I raised Caleb so he could end up with someone like you? Someone who could take advantage of everything he has? I didn't make sacrifices for my son to waste everything on someone unworthy!"
"We just fell in love! Is that so wrong? If it's about money-I don't need it. You're right; I can't match your wealth. But if love is the measure, I can give Caleb all of it. Why can't you just be happy for us?"
SLAP!
"How dare you disrespect me! You don't even understand my point! If my son truly loved you, why can't he even remember you? Can't you see? Caleb has realized the truth-that you bring nothing good to his life. Caleb has a reputation to uphold. What will people think if my son associates himself with someone like you? He even rejected his arranged marriage because of you, wasting so many opportunities in the process!"
"What's wrong with loving someone? There's no harm in it! I need to protect the love Caleb and I share. If Caleb doesn't want me, why force him?"
"I am Caleb's mother, and it's my duty to protect him. You need to accept that it's time to stop when enough is enough!"
"I'm begging you-just let me talk to Caleb, even for a moment."
"Here's the money. Just stop. If it's not enough, I'll give you more, as long as you leave him alone."
"Caleb and I are getting married. We promised each other," I said, holding onto her arm, pleading desperately like a dog begging for scraps, but she merely pushed me away.
"I'm warning you to stop, or I'll make you stop by force."
The door opened, and both of us turned to see Caleb standing there with a woman holding onto his arm for support.
"What's going on here?"
"Nothing."
"You're the girl again," he said, catching my attention.
"D-don't you remember me?" I asked him hesitantly.
"Did we meet before?" he asked, his question cutting deep, and I forced a bitter smile.
"It's your first time seeing her. She's just here to collect this money," someone said as they handed me the envelope, but I firmly refused it.
"I want to talk to you," I said boldly.
"We can talk here."
"Don't you remember that we're supposed to get married?" I pleaded with him.
"Did I promise you that?" he asked, his tone filled with doubt, and I nodded.
"Then prove it," he challenged.
"You promised me before you went to France, didn't you?" I insisted, trying to make him remember, but Caleb seemed to struggle.
"Then where's my proposal ring? Did I give you one?" he questioned, and I had nothing to show him.
"Don't ever bother my mom again. Just accept the money and stop forcing that damn marriage. I have no idea what you're talking about," he said coldly.
His words crushed me, and he walked away as if I were nothing more than a passing breeze.
"Caleb, where are you going? You need to rest."
"Going home. I'm not comfortable here."
Caleb walked away completely, disappearing from my sight, just like the day he left and shut the door on me. If only I had known this would happen, I would have never let him leave. We could have stayed together, even if we didn't get married. At least we wouldn't be strangers now.
You're so unfair. You hurt me in ways you don't even realize. I can't hold a grudge because I don't have enough reason to. But how long can I keep holding on to this? How long can I hold on to our relationship? Please, I'm begging you-come back to who you were, because I can't keep this up forever.
"How are you?"
That was the question from the other line, and I fell silent. A month had passed, and I'd forgotten about myself. How was I really? I gave a bitter smile, realizing it had been a month since Caleb last contacted me. There was no news, no updates-just silence, cold and lifeless, like a withered flower.
I let the voice on the other end talk while I closed my eyes tightly, letting a single tear fall. In my hand, I held a bottle of various pills and began swallowing them one by one.
"Emily, remember, you need to keep going. Your heartbeat doesn't depend on Caleb."
But it was too late. The world around me started spinning, and I lost my balance, collapsing to the floor.
"Emily! What's happening? Answer me, Emily!"
I couldn't speak anymore. All I could do was whisper Caleb's name over and over.
"Emily, I'm coming to you! Wait for me!"
All went black.
Is this the end? No, it can't be. I can't give up yet. Everything is just beginning.
Caleb fought for me once. This time, I won't give up. This time, I'll fight for us.
EMILY'S POV
Everything that happened felt like a nightmare. In just a blink of an eye, it changed the course of my life. Now, I've reached the point where I want to end everything. Caleb had such a huge impact on me. He made me believe he would always be there whenever I felt weak. He was my refuge, my safe place, and he filled my life with happy memories and promises-promises that now seem uncertain.
"Emily..."
A voice repeatedly called my name.
"Emily..."
Slowly, I opened my eyes and looked around the room. It was all white until my gaze landed on a familiar presence.
"How are you? Are you feeling better now?"
"W-what happened? A-am I... dead?"
"Stop saying things like that! You almost didn't make it. Thankfully, I was able to bring you to the hospital in time. Emily, are you seriously losing it? If I didn't pity you, I would've pulled your hair by now! Get a grip! Remember, Caleb just lost his memory-it doesn't mean he doesn't love you. Those are two different things!"
"It's so hard, Anna. It's so hard to accept. Even if I know he can't remember, it still hurts that he's the one pushing me away!"
"I know you, Emily. You need to stay strong. Let Caleb remember on his own. Amnesia has stages-it doesn't mean it's forever. Trust me, Caleb will come back to who he was. You just need to trust him."
"But what if it's permanent, Anna? What will I do then?"
"You're overthinking everything. Trust him, Emily. I know you-you won't give up that easily, right?"
"I-I'm scared. It hurt so much when he said he doesn't remember me and when he pushed me away. sob"
I couldn't hold it in anymore. I cried as the reality of it all sunk in. It feels too soon to give up, but what if I regret it later?
"it's okay," Anna said, wrapping me in a tight hug. In moments like this, I'm so grateful to have a friend like her. If not for Anna, I might've already given up on life.
"Thank you, Anna, for always being here."
"We'll find a way to talk to Caleb, but for now, you need to gather your strength, Emily. You'll need it. We can't control what Caleb will say, but we won't give up!"
Anna is right. I need to be strong before I face him. The next time I see Caleb, I won't cry or show weakness. Instead, I'll fight for my love-for him and his mother.
A FEW WEEKS LATER
I stopped by the mall to buy something on my way home. It got late because I met up with Anna. As I was heading back, I noticed a familiar car parked near a bar. To confirm my suspicion, I glanced over and saw him. He stepped out of the bar and vomited. Out of concern, I lost my composure and immediately approached him, holding his arm to help.
"Are you okay?"
He didn't say anything, just looked at me, and we were barely a foot apart.
"You?"
"Why did you drink? Is something wrong?"
"You know what, you look familiar," he said, pausing.
"You remember now?" I asked.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're the annoying girl from the hospital," he said with a slight chuckle. The initial happiness I felt when he said I looked familiar quickly faded.
"Go home and rest," I said, letting go of his arm and turning away.
But as I was about to leave, he grabbed my arm, pulling me back. Suddenly, I found myself leaning against the car, his arms blocking me on either side.
He slowly moved his face closer to mine. At that moment, I could feel his warm breath and the heavy aura around him. The silence was deafening, and I was sure he could hear my heart racing. Frozen and unsure of what to do, I instinctively closed my eyes.
But a minute passed, and nothing happened. I opened my eyes to see him just staring at me.
"How could I even think of asking someone like you to marry me? Did you only show up that day for money? Fine, let me double it," he said.
SLAP!
I saw the red mark on his cheek as I struggled to contain my emotions.
To Be Continued...
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