Emily's POV
I sit on the floor of my parents sitting room and consider ending it all, what does she mean by Ethan doesn't remember me anymore, it has to be a lie right? Could he be dead and nobody wants to tell me? My mind is still in a state of shock, but I remember that I have a life growing within me now; a life that belongs to a man I once shared my life with and it's the only calm in this raging storm I'm currently experiencing. As I lie back on the floor, there's only one other person that can help me, James.
Finding James wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. After Ethan's accident, he seemed to vanish from our shared social circles. But if anyone knew the truth about Ethan, it would be him. He was practically family. After several dead ends and unreturned messages, I finally tracked him down at a small café on the edge of town. The place was quiet, almost too quiet, as if it knew the weight of the conversation about to unfold.
James looked up when I walked in, his expression a mixture of surprise and unease. His normally playful demeanor was absent, replaced by something darker, more cautious. I didn't wait for him to speak. "I need answers, James," I said, sliding into the chair across from him. My voice wavered, but I kept my gaze steady. "Where is he? Where's Ethan?" James sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Emily, this isn't a good idea—" "Don't," I cut him off, my voice firmer now. "Don't tell me what's a good idea and what isn't. I deserve to know the truth. You owe me that much."
For a moment, he looked like he wanted to argue, but then his shoulders slumped, and he leaned back in his chair. "You're not going to let this go, are you?" I shook my head. "He's… different now," James started, choosing his words carefully. "The accident… it changed everything. He doesn't remember much about his old life—about you." "I know that already," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "What I don't know is where he is." James hesitated, his eyes darting to the window as if someone might be listening. "He's moved on, Emily. He's trying to rebuild. Do you really want to dig all of that up?"
The words felt like a punch to the gut, but I didn't back down. "I don't care what he's rebuilt. I need to see him, to talk to him. Please, James. I need this." He looked at me for a long time, his eyes filled with something that looked like pity. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh. "I can't, Emily." My heart sank. "Why not?" "I made a promise," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "To his parents. They've worked so hard to help him heal, and part of that means keeping his past where it belongs."
"I'm not just his past," I said, my voice cracking. "I'm… I was his future. Doesn't that mean anything?" James looked away, his jaw tightening. "I'm sorry, Emily. I can't help you." Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I stood up, my hands trembling. "You're wrong, James. You think you're protecting him, but you're not. I'll find him on my own." He didn't respond, didn't try to stop me as I walked away. The cold wind bit at my skin as I stepped outside, but I barely felt it. All I could think about was Ethan. He might not remember me, but I had to try. I had to find him.
As I drive back home, I make a silent decision to go back to work and at least still keep the job I was threatened with. Maybe Ethan will come back to work, maybe, just maybe this is all a dream.