Bailey still couldn't wrap her head around being Caleb's fiancée. She stared at him as she sat by the chair in the corner of the VIP room, her heart pounding like crazy. He was asleep on the bed after five minutes of staying awake, but with a smile and a face that wasn't as pale as before.
For the first time in weeks, he opened his eyes, bright and alert. This was good news, probably the best she ever heard recently. She pinched herself, making sure it wasn't a dream. She feared that she might be suffering from delusions due to wanting him to wake up so badly.
Then she heard Margaret's voice outside. She was back. Bailey fixed her clothes and hair. She didn't understand one bit why Margaret did what she did, introducing her as Caleb's fiancee. But she would wait for her explanation.
She didn't want to upset Caleb, so she went along. But deep down, a part of her liked the idea. Bailey gathered her thoughts, telling herself, "It means nothing."
The door opened, and instead of Margaret, Dr. Vincent appeared. Bailey was surprised to see him. What was he doing here?
Their eyes met, and the look in his eyes softened. "Bailey, I didn't know you're here," he commented.
"What are you doing here, doc? Do you also work here?" she asked him, curious.
"I'm Caleb's private doctor. Did you forget? I specialized in the neuro department, particularly brain complications like amnesia," Dr. Vincent explained.
Bailey nodded briefly, turning her attention to the sleeping Caleb. She fixed the blanket covering him, but he woke up and grabbed her hand.
"Hello, darling," Caleb said in a hoarse voice with a smile that could melt an igloo. "I'm so tired, but I wanted to wake up so badly because I was afraid I wouldn't see you."
"Caleb, good to see you awake," Vincent interrupted, his voice steady and soothing. He moved to the side of the bed, checking Caleb's vitals with practiced ease. "How are you feeling?"
Caleb smiled a bit. "Tired," he admitted, his voice raspy. "But… okay, I think."
Vincent nodded. "That's normal. You've been through a lot, Caleb. It's going to take some time for your body to fully recover."
Bailey stood at the side, listening attentively. Caleb grasped her hand, and she held her breath, looking at their intertwined fingers.
"As long as my fiancee is here, I can do anything to recover." Caleb caressed her hand, staring at her. His eyes were so soft and full of… love. Bailey swallowed visibly, a hand choking her heart.
Oh, how she longed for him to look at her this way, but not like this. Not in this kind of fucked-up situation.
"Fiancee?" Vincent's voice cut through the buzzing in her ears.
Bailey smiled awkwardly at Vincent. "He, uh, forgot some of his memories."
"I'm aware," Vincent replied, his gaze fixed on her. "I just didn't know you're together in that capacity." There was an underlying edge to his tone that escaped Bailey's ears.
Caleb frowned, interjecting, "You're a doctor. Not a relationship counselor, what does it matter to you?"
Vincent soothed Caleb, saying, "We're friends, Caleb. I'm just surprised about this news."
"You were abroad. The last I remembered was meeting you in England more than a year ago," Caleb replied pointedly.
Sensing the tense situation, Bailey caressed Caleb's hair with a soft smile. "Don't think about this anymore. You should go back to sleep and rest. I need to talk to the doctor."
He frowned, his hand tightening on hers. He looked up at her with a pleading expression that sent a pang through her chest. "Will I see you if I wake up, then?"
"You will." Bailey gave him a reassuring smile. "I won't be far, just outside."
He didn't let her go for what felt like hours instead of seconds. Her guilt washed over her as she saw the vulnerability on his face. He clung to her, trusting her, and he had no idea that she was an imposter.
A fake.
"I'll be right back." She smoothed his brows and gently pulled her hand away. She followed Vincent out of the room.
"Vincent," she said, her voice shaking. "Caleb and I—"
"Engaged?" Vincent finished for her, his expression serious. "You lied about being involved with him. He's with Isabelle Laurent." Vincent looked into her eyes, gauging the truth.
"I didn't lie; I told you I work for him," Bailey corrected and continued, "You assumed."
Vincent tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. "Bailey, this isn't good. Lying to him isn't a good idea. It will damage him long-term."
"Look," Bailey whispered, turning to the closed door of the VIP room. What if she heard them? She couldn't risk that.
Bailey dragged Vincent to the fire exit. She slammed the door.
Bailey continued, "This isn't my idea." She ran her fingers through her hair. "I never wanted to lie, okay? It just happened. Margaret thinks it will help him recover."
Vincent sighed. "For whatever reason, his mind has latched onto you as someone important. His mother may have reinforced that idea. Caleb is confused, and right now, he needs stability."
Bailey agreed, stating, "Pushing him too hard or trying to correct his memories too quickly could cause further distress. That's what the other doctors said."
"They're asking a lot of you," Vincent commented, frowning. He stepped closer to Bailey, and she moved back.
Their close proximity made her uncomfortable. She pushed him a bit, but he didn't budge. He looked down on her, staring into her eyes.
"You can ask me for help if it gets too much," he whispered near her ear. She felt his hot breath on her skin. Bailey raised her arms, wanting to push him harder this time, but he stepped back and walked away with not so much as a look back.
"What was that?" she murmured under her breath, sharking her head. Then she went back to the room.
Margaret and Reid were already inside. Caleb was fast asleep.
"I stepped out for a bit," she explained.
"Bailey," Margaret called softly, her tone making Bailey's pulse quicken in nervousness. "We need to talk."
Bailey nodded, her throat too dry to speak. Margaret glanced at Richard who nodded at her.
Margaret grabbed her hand, and they walked out of the room.
Outside, Margaret stepped closer to her. "Bailey, I know this is a lot to ask, but Caleb... he needs you right now. He's confused, and you're the only person he seems to trust."
"I don't understand," Bailey replied in a whisper. "Why would he think we're engaged?"
Margaret's expression tightened, and for a moment, Bailey thought she saw a flicker of guilt in her eyes. "When he woke up, he asked about you. He seemed to remember you more than anyone else, and I... I might have said something to reassure him."
Bailey's eyes widened. "You told him we were engaged?"
Margaret shook her head quickly. "Not exactly. I didn't lie, Bailey. But I didn't correct him either. The doctors said he needed stability. Right now, you are that stability for him. If we tell him the truth, it could shock him, maybe even worsen his condition."
Bailey's heart sank. She understood what Margaret meant, but it didn't make the situation any easier. She wasn't Caleb's fiancée. She wasn't even sure he ever saw her as more than a trusted assistant. And yet, here she was, playing a role that seemed impossible.
Bailey's mind raced, torn between her conscience and the very real possibility that telling him the truth could harm him. She looked up at Margaret, her voice trembling. "And Isabelle? What if he remembers her?"
Margaret's face darkened and her lips pressed into a thin line. "He hasn't mentioned her, and I don't want him to. I don't trust her, Bailey. I have a bad feeling about her, and I can't shake it. If Caleb doesn't remember her, I don't think we should remind him."
Bailey swallowed hard. "This feels so wrong," she admitted, her voice small.
Margaret grabbed her hand. "I know it's a lot to ask. But Caleb needs you. And if you help him through this, we'll help you in return. Your family's debts... we'll take care of it. You have our word."
Bailey's breath hitched. The offer was tempting, especially the money. But this was about Caleb, the man she loved in silence for years.
"I don't know if I can do this." Bailey took a deep breath.
Margaret squeezed her hand gently. "I know you can do it."
She stared at their hands and at Margaret. Bailey didn't expect that a day like this would come—Margaret asking for her help.
Bailey closed her eyes. The situation pulled her in two different directions—one by the truth and the other by the quiet, desperate hope in her heart that this must be her chance to be with him.
But a small part of her whispered, "A hope built on a fragile foundation."
"Just give it some time. Help him heal. Then we can figure out the rest," Margaret continued to persuade her.
But at what cost?
"I need time to think." Bailey was barely able to get the words out.
"I can give you time, but don't take too long," Margaret cautioned before walking away.
What should she do?