Page 28 of Asylum (The Wellard Asylum #9)

M y neck is fucking killing me.

I stayed in her room after she fell asleep. While I wanted to make sure she was alright, I also needed to confirm she wouldn’t have an episode or try to run.

She’ll have a million questions for me today, so I already have the fake documents in hand confirming her new identity. It should help ease her anxiety, giving her something she can physically hold onto, a token of the life she doesn’t remember.

Slowly twisting the knob, I open the door, careful not to wake her. It’s a waste of effort. Emerald eyes stop me in my tracks as she stares at my face as soon as I enter the bedroom. She’s laying on her side, the blanket pulled up to her chin. There’s no sign of tears, thankfully.

I’m not sure I have the patience for that shit with this crick in my neck.

She turns over onto her back before easing herself in an upright position, leaning against the headboard.

As I reach the edge of the bed, I hand her the documents.

She reviews them carefully while I pour her a glass of water.

As soon as this awkward conversation is over, I’ll need to make her something to eat.

Now that she’s away from the asylum, I’ll be able to put some weight on her.

Taking a seat in the chair that I slept in last night, I wait patiently as she shuffles through the paperwork.

At least a dozen different emotions cross her face as she reads over her new birth certificate, the report from the car accident, our marriage certificate, and a social security card.

Once she’s finished, she lays it all on the nightstand, reaching for the water.

She sips it for a few moments before setting it down.

“How did we meet?” She whispers, picking at a loose thread on the blanket.

Pretending the nostalgia is affecting me, I grin thoughtfully.

“I’m a prosecutor in Grimdale County. I stopped in a little coffee shop on my way to the office one morning.

I was distracted, thinking about the case I was working on, but a sweet, little voice broke through my chaotic thoughts.

When I gave the barista my attention, I wasn’t prepared for her to be the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.

She had beautiful, red hair that reminded me of autumn.

And gorgeous, emerald eyes that I was immediately lost in. ”

Olivia leans towards me, completely captivated by this ridiculous story. I chose to go with something sweet and innocent. I know how women love those Hallmark movies.

There’s a spark in her eyes as she hangs on every word I say, so I continue laying it on thick. “The girl was out of my league, but I took a chance, asking her on a date. Of course, she was shy and declined. But I made it my morning routine for weeks to stop by the coffee shop and see her.”

Her eyes glisten with unshed tears as she listens to me spin a revolting tale of love at first sight.

“I woke up late one morning, and I didn’t have time to stop by.

Seeing her was the bright spot in my day, so you can only imagine how that one went.

” When a ghost of a smile tugs at her lips, I know I’m on the right track.

“The next day, I stopped by, and when I asked her for a date again, she accepted. We went on a picnic, and to the town fair. It was a magical night, and we were inseparable after that. We were married a year later.” I smile.

“And we lived happily ever after until-” I drop my head in my hands, letting her feel the despair I’m projecting.

“Until?” She asks, her voice strained from lack of using it.

“Until the accident. Lilly, I don’t think you’re ready to hear this. I don’t know if I’m ready to relive it.” I give her a pleading look, knowing it will tug at her heart.

“Please? I need to know.”

Exhaling heavily, I find her gaze. “You were driving home from work. It was storming heavily, and you hydroplaned. The car spun out of control, and you crashed into a tree. You hit your head on the steering wheel, hard.” Moving from the chair to the edge of the bed, I’m surprised when she doesn’t shrink back.

“When I got the call, I thought I’d lost you.

I was out of my mind by the time I reached the hospital.

You were there for weeks. They released you once the swelling went down, and all your vitals and scans were normal.

Once we were home, you were doing great, then something happened.

You fainted, and as I told you yesterday, they couldn’t find anything wrong.

The doctor told us it would take time, but there’s a chance your memories may not return. ”

She sniffles, wiping away her tears. “What about my family? Your family? I know nothing of my life.”

“Lilly, we have plenty of time to go over all this. I think you should rest.”

“No!” She shouts. My eyes widen, and she immediately looks remorseful. “I’m sorry. I can handle this. Please tell me.”

Reaching for her hand, she allows me to intertwine our fingers.

“I’m estranged from my family. I didn’t have a happy childhood, and I chose to walk away once I was of age.

” There’s sympathy in her eyes, and I continue.

“You’re an only child. Your mom passed away when you were little, and you lost your father two years ago. ”

“How?” She chokes out.

Fuck. She’s full of questions. I’m glad I had all this planned out in my head.

“Your mother was hit head on by a drunk driver. Your father passed away from cancer.”

She squeezes my fingers, and I shift further up the bed, taking her into my arms. “Shhh, little doll. They both loved you very much.”

She pulls away, wiping the tears from her cheeks. She’s so fucking beautiful when she cries, it makes my cock twitch.

Now is definitely not the time.

“You’re all I have in this world,” she states, and I kiss the top of her head.

That’s what loving husbands do, right?

“And I’m all you’ll ever need.”

She gazes at me like I’m her only lifeline, which is the one sliver of truth in this entire situation. After a few moments, she lays her head on my chest. “I’m so lost.”

“You’re not lost, little doll. I found you the day I walked into that coffee shop five years ago, and I’m never letting you go. We’ll get through this.”

“Why do you call me little doll?”

Running my fingers through her hair, I give her a tiny truth. “Your pale skin reminds me of a porcelain doll. You’re so beautiful.”

She pulls away as if I’ve made her uncomfortable, and I let her go. “I think I’ll rest now.”

“Of course.” I say as I rise from the bed. “I’ll have dinner ready when you wake up.”

“Thank you,” she whispers as I leave the room.