Life has a way of thrusting unforeseen circumstances upon us without warning. It doesn't take a particularly insightful person to realize that their life will change the day they see their daughter lying in a hospital bed, fighting for her life. In a different situation, perhaps Mrs. Hayman could have come to terms with the loss of the daughter she once knew. A lot can happen in hospitals—sometimes families are prepared for the worst after months or years of illness. But when Jessica lay in that hospital bed, in a completely vegetative state, tubes entering and leaving her body, Mrs. Hayman made the difficult decision. She signed the papers to allow a new drug, one that completely erased Jessica's memory, to be administered. It was the only way to save her life.
There were many risks involved with this experimental drug, but Mrs. Hayman knew it was the best option to save her daughter. Jessica was almost pronounced brain-dead; she was on the verge of slipping into a coma, but the medication had pulled her back. When she learned that her husband's sister was coming to visit, Mrs. Hayman transferred Jessica to a new hospital in a different town and sealed all the documents. She had a gut feeling that something was off, that Jessica's accident was connected to her sister-in-law and the arrival of Jessica's cousin. She had always suspected her family was envious of the wealth she had acquired through her husband, but she never imagined they would go to such lengths.
This suspicion, however, was something she wasn't ready to investigate further. More pressing matters demanded her attention. When the doctors informed her that Jessica would recover fully within approximately three months, she was overjoyed. Even though her daughter had returned to her with a blank slate, no memory of what had happened, she was determined to do right by her.
For Mrs. Hayman, her life had effectively ended the day she lost the daughter she once knew and was handed a completely different one. Jessica's mind had been reset to that of a newborn. Unlike cases of amnesia where victims retain faint memories of who they are or where they came from, Jessica had forgotten everything. Her life was now a blank page, a fresh start. But starting over is never easy. Yet with enough determination and a fighting spirit, Mrs. Hayman believed Jessica would survive this.
The only problem was, the doctors were certain Jessica would never regain her memory.
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**MODERN DAY, EIGHT MONTHS LATER**
"Jessica!" Mrs. Hayman's voice carried a sharp edge of irritation. Despite all the new things she had taught her daughter, Jessica still couldn't manage to be on time.
Mrs. Hayman often smiled when she looked around the house, recalling memories of her late husband. He had been passionate about interior design but had ventured into business and real estate. Though it made him a great fortune, Jessica's father remained most intrigued by personally designing their dream home. When Mrs. Hayman first saw the house her husband had died building for them, she was filled with joy but also deep sadness. She took a deep breath, letting the memory wash over her.
Clutching her handbag, she glanced toward the stairs. A loving smile touched her lips as she remembered her husband walking down those stairs on the night of their honeymoon. This was the safest place she knew, one that no one would ever think of. She had played her cards right, and if everything went according to plan, the burden of protecting her daughter would finally be lifted from her shoulders.
It's terrifying to see someone's true nature in the face of a disaster. Since losing her daughter's memory, Mrs. Hayman had become a different person.
When her phone rang, she glanced down at her bag, rifling through its contents to pull out her expensive smartphone. She slid her finger across the screen and pressed the accept button, lifting the phone to her ear.
"Mr. Gonzalez," she said in a pleasant voice, brimming with excitement.
"Mrs. Hayman, I hope you're well this fine morning."
"Yes, of course. And how are you?" she asked, her tone eager.
"Busy, as usual, making money."
"As expected. You are, after all, about to gain something far more valuable than money," Mrs. Hayman replied.
"I trust you won't keep me waiting, Mrs. Hayman," the voice teased.
"Of course not, we're already on our way," she responded, adding, "I hope you'll hold up your end of the bargain."
There was a brief pause before the response came.
"Naturally, my lawyers are looking into it as we speak."
"Very well. See you shortly." She ended the call with a click.
Upstairs, Jessica was still struggling to figure out how to walk in the dress her mother had bought for her. The tight fabric clung to her body, making her feel uncomfortable.
"Mother!" she called out, running her hands nervously over her curves. The dress made her feel like someone she wasn't.
"What is it, my dear?" Mrs. Hayman asked as she leaned against the doorframe, looking at Jessica with pure affection.
"Do I really have to wear this?" Jessica asked, raising an eyebrow as she stared at herself in the mirror. "It feels... inappropriate."
"Nonsense, you look wonderful. Like the beautiful woman you are. Now hurry, we mustn't be late," her mother encouraged, gently pushing her toward the stairs.
"Where are we going again?" Jessica asked, still confused.
"To find you a suitor, darling. It's for the best, believe me." Jessica remained quiet, the confusion evident on her face. Even though her mother had explained it a thousand times, she still couldn't fully grasp the idea.
Jessica felt safe with her mother. Since losing her memory, her mom was the only person she knew.
After the accident tables turned and chaos ensued. Mrs. Hayman saw her daughter's memory loss as an opportunity—a second chance to right the wrongs of the past and give Jessica the life she thought she deserved. They had vanished from everyone who knew them. This was her chance to protect Jessica from danger and ensure she followed her orders.
In the past, Jessica had defied her mother, especially when it came to dating Nick Thomas. Just like her husband, Mrs. Hayman was controlling, demanding things go her way. She wouldn't hesitate to take drastic measures to instill obedience in her daughter.
Now, with Jessica under her influence, she had trained her to follow her every command. This time, there could be no mistakes, no delays. She was determined to marry Jessica off to a man of her choice—a man who would protect her, shape her into a proper woman, and make her submit. Even if Jessica ever regained her memory, Mrs. Hayman needed to ensure that the control she had established would be strong enough to withstand it.
When they walked into the luxury hotel, Jessica's eyes were drawn to the elegant interior. The satin curtains exuded luxury, complementing the painted walls, which seemed to have their own natural fragrance. The waiters moved gracefully, dressed in pure white, their uniforms both stylish and expensive.
Jessica began to understand why her mother had insisted on the dress. The women seated around the tables were all stunning, with flawless makeup and outfits that accentuated their figures.
"We have a reservation," Mrs. Hayman said warmly, smiling at the receptionist, who seemed less than friendly.
"Your names?" the receptionist asked, rolling her eyes.
"Mrs. Emma Hayman," Jessica's mother replied, glancing down at the MacBook on the receptionist's desk. She prayed silently that the receptionist wouldn't cause any trouble. In places like this, people often looked down on anyone who didn't arrive in a limousine or with bodyguards. Wealth was a status symbol, and anyone who didn't meet those standards was treated as inferior.
Though Mrs. Hayman had her own wealth from her late husband's fortune, it wasn't enough to put her in the same league as the truly powerful.
"And what about her?" the receptionist asked in a bored tone.
"What about her?" Mrs. Hayman shot back, matching the receptionist's attitude.
"I mean, does she have a name, or do you expect me to read your mind and figure out the name of the hooker you brought?"
Jessica blinked in confusion, unfamiliar with the insult. Her mother had shielded her from the harsher aspects of society, including its views on women. She knew nothing about prostitutes, and her understanding of sex was equally limited. Her mind was almost childlike in its innocence, but she was a fast learner.
"Say that again, and your next job will be standing on the streets of Las Vegas, hoping someone picks you up for your rotten attitude," Mrs. Hayman muttered just loud enough for the blonde receptionist to hear. The woman's lips pursed in shock, but she was more surprised to see Jessica's complete lack of reaction to her mother's harsh words.
"Maria, why are you bothering my guests?" came the booming voice of Mr. Gonzalez, the hotel owner.