EVE's POV
"Well, unfortunately, it is Lexi," I said simply, glancing at her then back to the bed. "He doesn't even remember me, so don't take it to heart if, inevitably, he doesn't know who you are." Chris turned to stare at me, confusion etched on his face.
"What?" I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.
"Anyways, let me reintroduce myself." Lexi stepped forward, her voice a little shaky. "My name is Lexi, and I'm your sister...not biologically related, of course, but you're still my brother, and I'm so glad you made it back alive." Her voice cracked slightly at the end.
I watched Chris sigh inwardly, a flicker of sadness crossing his face as he got down from the bed.
"Come here," he said, opening his arms. Lexi gently walked into his embrace, and he wrapped his arms around her.
"How are you doing, my dear?" Mum and Dad asked simultaneously, their voices filled with concern as they walked up to me.
"I'm fine, Mum, just hungry," I said, moving from Chris's bed to my own.
"That's good because I brought you two a delicious breakfast," she said excitedly, pulling out the flasks she came with.
"I hope you slept well, Miss Eve?" The doctor asked, stepping forward to check on me.
"Yes, I did. When are we having the ultrasound you requested?"
"This afternoon." She checked a few things before eventually leaving.
"Since you'll be staying here for a week, I brought some of your things, and also your work tablet. There are important meetings coming up this week and documents that need your signature," Stephanie said, handing me the tablet.
"I'll put these in the closet then," she said, leaving with the bag.
"Wait for me," I called out, hurrying after her.
Stephanie leaned against the doorframe, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "So, last night… what was that sleeping arrangement? You two were practically a human cocoon!"
I chuckled, anticipating her teasing. "Nothing happened."
"Right," she smirked. "Explain the cocoon then."
"Nothing happened," I repeated, retreating to the bathroom and shutting the door firmly.
I came out after a few minutes, thankfully finding Stephanie gone. I dressed and walked out to the main room.
Mum had already set the food on the mini table inside the room. Lexi and Stephanie made themselves comfortable on the sofa, but Chris was notably absent.
"He left with your dad and Franklin a moment ago" Lexi said, answering my unspoken question.
"Oh, ok," I said, trying to hide my disappointment.
I sat on the bed and began to eat, glancing at the door every now and then, hoping to see Chris walk through it. Just as my attention returned to my meal, the door opened. He was there. Chris, in a black v-neck sweatshirt and black pants, the bandage gone, his raven hair noticeably longer, brushing his neck. He looked… breathtaking.
"Hey" he approached, a smile playing on his lips. A sudden shyness washed over me as all eyes turned our way. He bent, his thumb gently brushing my lower lip, then the corner of my mouth. Heat flooded my cheeks; I was completely unprepared for the intimacy.
"There," he said softly, dusting his hands off before taking a seat beside me on the bed. "You had something on your mouth."
"Do you want me to feed you?" He asked in a low whisper, his eyes teasing mine, I shook my head vigorously, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. He chuckled, a warm, intimate sound that sent shivers down my spine.
"You two lovebirds might as well get a room at this point," Lexi said, rolling her eyes playfully, but her tone held a hint of fondness.
"Christopher, sit properly so I can set the table for your food," my mum said, bustling about
"I'd love your food, ma'am" he said, "but there are a few things I need to address first." Just then, the security guard from the previous night entered, accompanied by Franklin and my father.
"Everyone's here except the aloof guy," Chris stated, scanning the room.
"Aloof guy?" I asked, surprised.
"Cole?" Lexi clarified, and the chris nodded. I'd never considered Cole aloof to be honest; I always saw him as reserved, but the room's agreement made me question my own bias. He was my brother, after all.
"I met with the doctor and he suggested that recovering amnesia patients often benefit from hearing stories of their past, being in familiar surroundings, and seeing significant objects," Chris explained.
"So, I was hoping you could each share something meaningful we did together. It's not a guarantee, but I desperately want to remember my past from family, and not just what tabloid say"
A heavy silence descended before Lexi stepped forward, producing a miniature toy from her bag. Her voice was thick with emotion as she said, "I had terrible nightmares the night Uncle Lionel and Mum brought me home from the orphanage. I was three. You walked into my room and gave me this. You said, 'If you go to bed with Wonder Woman, she'll chase away the bad men.' And she did. I never had another nightmare..." She handed the toy to Cole, whose expression was one of poignant contemplation.
"Oh, and also, I was the first person you told about your situation with Eve back then—how you had developed feelings for her and got pissed when we saw her with...uhmm... anyways, I hope this information helps you with recovering your memories," Lexi said, returning to her seat.
I was relieved Lexi hadn't mentioned Frederick's name. We didn't know the impact the information would have on Chris, and I prayed he wouldn't press for the missing details.
"Was the person we saw her with Frederick?" Chris asked, and a pin drop could have been heard.
"Was this Frederick the same person that kidnapped Eve and you two on the day Eve and I were supposed to get married?" He asked again, his gaze shifting from Lexi to Stephanie. "I read the news, but I really do want to know."
"Yes, he was," I answered, sighing. I had absolutely no desire to relive that nightmare, knowing Chris would want to know more.
"What was your relationship with him that made him go to such extreme measures?" He asked, this time directly at me, his eyes searching mine.
"I had no relationship with him," I stated, meeting his gaze and trying to convey the truth with my eyes.
"He was my childhood best friend," I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat as my mind drifted back to our days in preschool and high school.
"But he became obsessed with me after I turned him down. I honestly had no idea he would ever try to hurt me, not to talk of taking me hostage and trying to..." I choked on the horrible memories of that fateful day, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.
"He tried to what?" Chris asked, his voice incredibly low and dangerous. I could feel the anger radiating off him as his chest heaved with each breath.
"It's in the past. The most important thing is that everyone is safe, and he's in prison for life," my mum interjected, her voice firm but soothing. I looked up at her with thankful eyes, knowing I couldn't have lied to Chris.
"Come here," he said, pulling me into his arms. I buried my face against his chest, seeking comfort in his embrace.
"Franklin, I want you to prepare. I'll be paying Frederick a visit in prison tomorrow," I heard Chris say over my hair, and a wave of panic washed over me.
What for?