John spent the rest of the night in the hospital's waiting room, dozing fitfully in the uncomfortable chair. The nurses had assured him that the woman was stable, but she remained unconscious, leaving her identity and the mystery of her injuries unsolved.
As dawn broke, John's phone buzzed. It was his assistant, Mark.
"John, where are you? You missed the morning meeting with the board."
John rubbed his eyes, the events of the night flooding back. "Mark, I'm at the hospital. I... I found a woman injured on the road last night. Almost hit her with my car. She's in surgery now."
"Jesus, John. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. But I've got to stay here until she wakes up. Can you cover for me at the office?"
"Of course. Just take care of yourself. And keep me posted."
John thanked Mark and ended the call, his thoughts returning to the woman. Who was she? What had happened to her?
A couple of hours later, a doctor approached him, a tired but kind expression on his face. "Mr. Blake, I'm Dr. Reynolds. The patient you brought in is stable. She's suffered significant blood loss and some internal injuries, but she's going to be okay. However, there's something you should know."
John stood, a mix of relief and anxiety washing over him. "What is it?"
Dr. Reynolds hesitated. "When we were examining her, we found several old scars, some indicating severe trauma. And... there's no ID on her. Nothing to tell us who she is."
John frowned. "And the ring? The nurses thought we were engaged because of it."
The doctor nodded. "We noticed that. It's unusual, but it might just be a coincidence. Or it could be a clue. We've contacted the police to investigate further."
John sighed, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Can I see her?"
"Of course. Follow me."
Dr. Reynolds led John to a private room. The woman lay on the bed, her face pale but serene. She looked peaceful, but the bandages and IV lines told a different story.
John pulled up a chair next to her bed, unsure of what to say or do. He sat there for what felt like hours, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest. He felt a strange sense of responsibility for this woman, a stranger who had suddenly become a significant part of his life.
In the afternoon, Officer Martinez returned. "Mr. Blake, we've run a preliminary check but haven't found any matches in the missing persons database. We're expanding our search, but it might take some time."
John nodded. "Thank you, officer. I'll be here."
As the day turned into evening, John was dozing in his chair when he heard a soft moan. He sat up, his heart racing. The woman's eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused and filled with confusion.
"Hey, you're awake," John said gently, leaning forward.
She blinked, looking around the room before her eyes settled on him. "Wh-where am I?"
"You're in the hospital. I found you injured on the road last night and brought you here."
Her brow furrowed, and she raised a hand to her head. "I... I don't remember anything."
John felt a pang of sympathy. "Do you remember your name?"
She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "No. I don't remember anything. Who are you?"
"I'm John. John blake, I'm the one who brought you here."
She looked at him with a mix of gratitude and fear. "Thank you, John. I'm sorry, but I don't know who I am."
John reached out, taking her hand in his. "It's okay. We'll figure it out together. The doctors and police are already looking into it."
The woman's eyes brimmed with tears, and she squeezed his hand. "Thank you. I feel so lost."
John gave her a reassuring smile. "You're not alone. We'll get through this."
The door opened, and a nurse entered with a tray of food. "It's good to see you awake," she said warmly. "You need to eat to regain your strength."
The woman nodded, and John helped her sit up. As she ate, they talked quietly, with John sharing more about himself to try and jog her memory. He told her about his work, his family, and how he had found her.
Despite her amnesia, she seemed to have an innate grace and intelligence. John couldn't help but notice how she held herself, even in this vulnerable state. There was something almost regal about her, a strength that belied her current condition.
Hours passed, and the police returned for more questioning. The woman, still unable to recall anything, could only listen as John recounted the night's events once more. Officer Martinez promised to keep them updated and left them alone again.
As the sun set, casting long shadows across the room, John made a decision. "You need a name," he said softly. "Until we find out who you really are. How about... Emma?"
The woman nodded, a faint smile touching her lips. "Emma. I like that. Thank you, John."
John stayed with her late into the night, leaving only when the nurses insisted he needed rest. He found a nearby hotel, his mind buzzing with the day's events. He couldn't shake the feeling that Emma was more than she appeared, and he was determined to uncover the truth.
The next morning, he returned to the hospital, finding Emma more alert and starting to recover physically. They talked more, John trying to help her piece together any fragments of memory. But each attempt only brought frustration and fear to Emma's eyes.
One afternoon, as they were talking, a new visitor arrived. A tall, imposing man in a sharp suit entered the room. "Mr. Blake, Miss... Emma," he began, glancing at her with a nod. "I'm Agent Collins with the FBI. We've been informed of your situation and would like to assist."
John stood protectively by Emma's side. "What does the FBI have to do with this?"
Agent Collins showed his badge. "We believe Emma may be linked to an ongoing investigation. Her injuries and the circumstances of her discovery match the profile of a person of interest."
Emma's eyes widened in fear, but John squeezed her hand. "What kind of investigation?"
Collins looked serious. "I can't disclose all the details, but we believe Emma may have been targeted by a dangerous organization. It's imperative we ensure her safety and find out what she knows."
John felt a surge of protectiveness. "She doesn't remember anything. How can she help?"
Collins nodded. "We have specialists who can assist with memory recovery. We'll also provide protection for both of you."
Emma looked at John, her eyes pleading. "What should I do?"
John took a deep breath. "We need to trust them, Emma. They can help us find out who you are and keep you safe."
Emma nodded, her hand gripping John's tightly. "Okay. I'll do it."
Agent Collins smiled reassuringly. "Thank you. We'll start immediately. And don't worry, Mr. Blake, we'll make sure both of you are protected."
As they prepared to leave the hospital, John felt a mix of hope and trepidation. The mystery surrounding Emma was deepening, and the danger seemed more real than ever. But he was committed to helping her, no matter what it took.
Together, they would face whatever lay ahead, determined to uncover the truth and find a way forward.