It had been weeks. What 48 hours? Caleb didn't open his eyes. He was still lying on the hospital bed, hooked to wires, and looking bloodless.
Bailey sat by the bedside, a book on her lap. The quiet hum of the VIP room filled the space, a contrast to the tension and anxiety that settled in Bailey's chest. She told Margaret and Richard of her conjectures about his accident.
She told them that someone tried to kill her too, but they were adamant it was an accident. The investigators checked; nothing was found. No tampering of the car, and the CCTV that night coincidentally disappeared. There was nothing to prove her suspicions.
They also checked for Caleb's, but nothing was amiss.
She bit her lip; all she could do was care for Caleb and make sure no one got close to him, including Isabelle. If Isabelle tried to kill her... that woman was capable of cruelty, then she had to stay from a vulnerable Caleb who couldn't defend himself.
Fortunately, Margaret and Richard made the decision to move Caleb into a more private facility where only Bailey and them had access to him. Isabelle had no idea where he was transferred, and she planned to keep it this way.
Bailey stood up from her chair and covered Caleb with the blanket.
She asked in a soft voice, "Are you cold?" She caressed his face reverently, praying in her heart that he opens his eyes.
Every day, Bailey visited the hospital before heading to the office. She managed Caleb's business with precision, just as she'd always done, but now the responsibility was heavier. Not only did she have to keep Reid International running in his absence, but she also had to shield him from Isabelle's obsessive behavior.
Somehow, Bailey had grown to Caleb's new reality—still, silent, and his face peaceful but distant. The doctors informed them that it was hard to say when or if he would ever wake up. She refused to give up hope. Every day, she spoke to him, told him about the company, about the weather, about anything that might remind him of the world waiting for him.
Bailey even read him a story every day. Maybe he would wake up and tell her to stop if he gets bored.
"Another quiet day, huh?" Bailey murmured, her voice soft as she glanced at the window. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the room. "The stock report came in today. You'd be happy to know everything's in the green. The team is handling things well, but they miss you. They think you're recuperating and don't know you're in a coma."
She paused, her eyes flicking back to his face. "I miss you."
Her voice caught in her throat, and Bailey quickly shook her head, pushing the emotion down. She kept her emotions in check, usually when around his parents. They were just outside, talking to the doctors. They trusted her to take care of Caleb and his business with rationality and not emotions. She couldn't let them see how deeply this affected her.
Just as she was about to say more, the door creaked open. Margaret stepped in, her usual cool, composed expression in place, but Bailey could see the weariness in her eyes.
"Bailey," Margaret greeted, her voice soft but firm. "The doctors can't give me a concrete answer."
Bailey stood up, smoothing her skirt as she moved aside to let Margaret approach the bed. "No change," she said quietly. "The doctors said his vitals are stable. That's good news."
Margaret nodded, her eyes fixed on her son. She reached out, brushing a hand over Caleb's forehead. "Stable isn't enough. I want him awake."
Bailey swallowed hard. "We all do."
Richard followed his wife into the room, giving Bailey a nod before walking over to stand by Margaret. They made a quiet pair, both of them clearly exhausted by the weeks of waiting, hoping, and fearing the worst. Bailey gave them a small smile before excusing herself.
"I'll come back later," she told them, stepping toward the door. "I have to check on a few things at the office."
"Thank you, Bailey," Richard replied, giving her a grateful look. "We couldn't manage all of this without you."
Bailey nodded, though her heart ached. She wished there was more she could do—more she could say. But right now, all she could do was keep going, keep everything running smoothly, and wait.
---
Later that day, Bailey walked briskly through the lobby of the office building. Her eyes scanned everywhere, feeling like someone was watching her. Perhaps it was the paranoia talking since she almost got rolled over by a truck.
As she stepped into the elevator, she caught a glimpse of movement in the reflection of the glass doors outside. Her heart sank.
Isabelle.
Bailey sighed, pressing the button for her floor and doing her best to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. Isabelle was desperate to know where Caleb was, and she probably thought that she could find out through him.
News flash: Bailey would never let her know. It wouldn't be coming from her.
Around lunch, when Bailey exited the elevator, Isabelle was already waiting for her in the lobby. Her eyes looked crazed as she crossed her arms. The intensity in them made her skin crawl. She had the look of someone who was about to lose her mind.
"Bailey," Isabelle called out, her voice sharp. "I need to talk to you."
Bailey kept her expression neutral as she walked, refusing to let Isabelle see her rattle. "I'm busy, Isabelle said coolly. "I don't have time for this."
"You're hiding him from me." Isabelle's voice was cold, but there was a tremor there, a hint of desperation. "I know you are."
Bailey stopped in her tracks, turning to face Isabelle with a calm that masked the storm brewing inside her. "I'm not hiding anything from you. I'm here to run the company, not take care of Caleb's personal life."
Isabelle stepped closer, her eyes narrowing and fists clenched. "You're lying."
Bailey took a deep breath, keeping her voice steady. "I'm not involved in any of that. If you have questions, you should take them up with his parents."
"You think you can keep me away from him?" Isabelle hissed, her voice rising. "You can't. Caleb needs me, and you know it."
Bailey's heart pound, but she didn't let it show. "I'm not involved in Caleb's care. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
Without another word, Bailey turned on her heel and walked away, her pulse racing. She could feel Isabelle's eyes burning with anger, but she didn't look back.
---
For the next several days, Bailey kept a low profile, sticking to work and avoiding any unnecessary trips out of the office. She knew Isabelle was still watching, still trying to find a way to get to Caleb. Bailey couldn't afford to let her guard down. Caleb was safe for now, and that was all that really mattered.
Later that night, as she arrived outside her place, Bailey noticed Isabelle's car parked down the street. The sight made her heart race, but she kept her pace steady, acting as if she hadn't seen it. She couldn't let her know that she got to her.
By the time Bailey entered her apartment and she peeked through the window, Isabelle had driven off, likely realizing that following her wouldn't get her any closer to Caleb. Bailey breathed a small sigh of relief, but it was only a matter of time before Isabelle tried something else.
---
The next morning, Bailey arrived at the hospital early, eager to check in on Caleb before starting her day. She skipped two days without seeing him because of Isabelle. She missed him so badly.
She had barely stepped into the room when she froze, and her heart stopped beating.
Caleb was awake.
He was propped up slightly in bed, his eyes open, looking tired but alert. Margaret and Richard were by his side, talking softly to him, their faces filled with relief and joy. Bailey's breath caught in her throat as her eyes locked on Caleb's.
He turned his head slightly, his eyes finding her across the room. His lips curved into a soft, gentle smile, and for a moment, Bailey couldn't move. She couldn't breathe.
"Bailey…" Caleb's voice was hoarse, but the sound of it sent a warm rush through her. It was the first time she had heard him speak in what felt like forever.
He's awake. He's awake. He's awake. The thought kept repeating in her head like a mantra. She wanted to cry, run around in happiness, or scream in happiness, but she had to hold it in. She blinked her eyes to stop her tears.
She took a step forward, her heart racing. Barely able to get the words out, she choked, "Caleb, you're awake."
Before she could say anything more, Margaret turned to her, her expression warm but filled with meaning.
"Bailey," Margaret said, her voice gentle. "He was looking for his fiancée." She smiled at her, but her eyes were sharp.
Bailey's smile faltered, confusion flickering in her eyes and also anguish.
"Fiancée..." was all she could muster. She felt like her heart was torn in smithereens. Bailey's smile stiffened as she clenched her palms.
Is he talking about Isabelle? Did he believe they were engage? she wondered with a broken heart.
Margaret glanced at Caleb, then back at Bailey. "You see, Caleb lost his memory of the last year and probably a few months more. But of course, he remembered his fiancée. We told him he was engaged."
Bailey's heart dropped, her breath catching in her throat.
"Engaged?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Margaret smiled, though there was something calculating in her eyes.
"What are you doing standing there?" Margaret grabbed her hand and dragged her to Caleb's bedside. "Why don't you tell Caleb about your engagement? It will help him remember."
Bailey's jaw almost dropped to the floor. What did she say? She turned to Caleb, but all she saw was a soft smile on his face. He stared at her as if he trusted her more than anyone else.
He gazed at her as if he loved her. Truly. Deeply.
Bailey's tears dropped like a rainfall, non-stop.
"Why... why are you crying, baby?" Caleb asked in a hoarse voice. He touched her face, brushing her tears away. She leaned into his palm, feeling the warmth of his skin.
He was alive.
And he believed she was his fiancée.
"Were you scared I won't wake up? I'm here; I'm not going anywhere," Caleb stated with as much strength as he could muster.
And good Lord, with all her guilty conscience, she wished this was true.