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She lets go of my hand and walks toward the room. Just as she reaches the door, he screams again.
"Why did you leave me, my beautiful? I loved you so much! He’s going to kill me!"
I’ve heard those words before. Every staff member in the hospital has.
But when Taylor turns to me, pale as a sheet, I feel confused.
I step closer because she looks like she’s about to faint.
Before I can reach her, though, the ranting starts again.
"My beautiful, come back to me!"
Laughter follows.
"Come on, let’s go."
She ignores me and steps inside the room.
I rush in after her, but it’s too late. She’s already at his bedside.
She doesn’t seem shocked by his appearance. It’s as if she’s hypnotized.
"Say that again," she tells the man. He instantly falls silent at the sound of her voice. "Say it again, you bastard," she repeats.
The only eye he has left opens, and he grins. "You came back, my beautiful. Taylor, my love. You came back!"
She stumbles back, hitting my chest. "It was you!" she screams, pointing at the patient. "It was him, William!"
"Taylor, what’s happening?"
"I remember everything! He’s the one who took me! I escaped! I . . .Ikilledhim!"
The patient laughs. "No, my beautiful. You tried, and so did he. But I am immortal."
* * *
Taylor
I don’t know how long I was unconscious, but when I wake up, it’s not just William by my side—my obstetrician, Athanasios, L. J., and two other men in suits are also there.
William’s face looks carved from stone, tense, and as soon as he notices I’m awake, he steps closer.
"What happened?" I ask.
"You remembered everything," the father of my child says.
"Yes."
Suddenly, a wave of panic hits me, and I try to sit up.
"No. Stay calm. The police are already here. When you feel ready, they’ll take your statement, but before that, you should talk to our lawyers."
"Alright."
William sits beside me on the hospital bed. "It doesn’t have to be today."
"I prefer it to be."