Hailey's POV
As the hours ticked by, the sunlight streaming through the window began to fade, casting a warm orange glow over the hospital room. I shifted restlessly in bed, feeling cooped up and tired of being confined to one place all day. Aiden had stepped out to grab some food, and I was grateful for the distraction.
The doctor's words echoed in my mind: "Fruits will help speed up your recovery, and they're essential for the health of your baby." My hand instinctively went to my belly, where a tiny, restless presence stirred. The baby kicked and squirmed, as if protesting the delay in dinner. I smiled wryly, feeling a mix of exhaustion and wonder.
Just then, the door swung open, and Aiden walked in with a tray laden with fruit and sandwiches. The aroma of fresh food wafted through the air, making my stomach growl with hunger. Aiden's eyes met mine, and he smiled, his expression softening.
"Hey, I'm back. How are you feeling?" He asked
He set up the table for me and placed the food and fruits in front of me.
"Are you sure you would be able to help yourself with the food?" He asked, concern evident in his voice.
"I've told you countless times that I can. Now stop worrying about me and eat your meal."
"Okay, but don't hesitate to let me know if you're tired alright."
"Alright." I replied, staring at him with a smile, adoring the way he cares for me.
He left me alone and went to sit on one of the sofas in the room. I dug into my food but suddenly noticed his expression turning sour.
"Aiden?" I called, In a concerned tone.
"Hmm?" He replied with an expressionless face
"Are you okay? If it's because of the food you can come feed me I actually don't mind anymore." I said.
"No Hailey, it's not that. I'm fine."
Aiden?
"Come on Hailey, eat your food." He urged me to ignore him.
"So the doctor said you can be discharged tomorrow, aren't you excited?"
"I am, but a few hours ago he told me that he had to be sure that I was stable first before he could discharge me, what changed his mind?"
"Well he said, since you are starting to get fragments of your memory back it would be best if you don't sit in one place but actually go out there to see the outside world."
"Really?" I asked, with excitement in my voice.
"Yes, he said it might help you recover better."
"Well that's nice, because I was sick of his hospital already." I said, which made him bursted out with laughter.
"What's funny?" I retorted.
"You know the fact that you're 'sick' and you're in a hospital getting 'sick'" he explained but it sounded awkward to me.
"I'm sorry…" he apologized, seeing that I don't get the joke.
"Whatever." I replied.
"So you said you're a CEO right?"
"Well, yeah…. But it will all be past tense in a few days." He explained
"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.
"I'm in search of a pregnant wife." He blurted out.
"Huh?" I opened my mouth in awe.
"Sorry, that came out wrongly." He apologized
"No, please go ahead."
"You see, I told my family that while I was away I got a civil wedding and my wife was pregnant already, which means they should be expecting an heir soon." He explained.
"So? Why look for a wife if you already have one."
"Because it's a lie, Hailey." He added, making me exclaim in shock.
"What?!"
Aiden's eyes dropped, and he hesitated before speaking. "Don't judge me, okay? I had no choice. They were breathing down my neck about getting married, so I lied to get them off my back."
I called out calmly, "Aiden..." My voice trailed off, and I shook my head. "You shouldn't have done that."
Aiden's shoulders slumped in defeat. "I know, I know."
I pressed him for more information. "So, what's the problem now?"
Aiden's expression turned grim. "My dad threatens to ruin my company and reputation if I don't provide them with the wife I supposedly married and our heir."
I was taken aback. "Really? Why would he do that?"
Aiden's voice was laced with frustration. "He's a very influential man, and he's not joking this time. He gave me a month to produce a wife, and it's been three weeks and two days. I'm running out of time."
I stuffed a piece of food into my mouth, trying to process the situation. "Oh my goodness... I'm so sorry, Aiden."
Aiden waved his hand dismissively. "You don't have to be sorry. Just eat your food."
An awkward silence fell between us, punctuated only by the sound of me eating. Aiden suddenly gasped, as if he had just remembered something.
I looked up at him, my mouth still full. "What is it?"
Aiden's eyes locked onto mine, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Hailey, I know this sounds crazy, but... you're pregnant."
I froze, my food-laden fork hovering in mid-air. "And?"
Aiden's expression turned serious. "Hailey, I know this is a lot to ask, but... I think you could be the solution to my problem."
Realization dawned on me, and I felt a surge of alarm. "Oh no, no, no, Aiden. You can't be serious. You want me to be your wife?"
Aiden's eyes pleaded with me. "Hailey, just hear me out. It might even help you recover your memories."
I shook my head, horror etched on my face. "No, Aiden. No. I don't even know who I am yet, and neither do you."
Aiden's eyes pleaded with me, his voice laced with desperation. "Come on, Hailey, please see it this way. It's just a contract marriage. We don't have to be legally married; you just have to pretend to be my wife for a year or two. Please, Hailey, I really need this."
I shook my head, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "Aiden, what if I'm the wife of a mafia boss in my previous life, and he comes looking for me?"
Aiden's expression turned grim. "Then I'll let you go. I just need to get my father to sign over my inheritance. That's all."
I felt a surge of frustration. "Aiden, this is too much. I don't even know who I am yet."
Aiden's eyes locked onto mine, his voice filled with a sense of urgency. "Hailey, please... I beg of you. You fit my description perfectly – the doctor said you're past your first trimester, just like I told my parents. Please, help me out. I'm running out of time."
I shook my head firmly. "I'm sorry, Aiden. I can't."
Aiden's face fell, his eyes clouding over with disappointment. For a moment, I felt a pang of regret, but I pushed it aside.
"Here I was thinking you genuinely cared for me," I said, my voice laced with bitterness. "If only I had known it was all just for your selfish interests."
Aiden's face contorted in protest. "No, that's not it –"
I cut him off, my voice firm. "You can go now. I'd like to be alone."
I pressed the bedside button, calling for the nurses. They arrived promptly, and I instructed them to escort Aiden out.
As Aiden turned to leave, he caught my eye. "I didn't mean it like that, Hailey. I'm sorry."
I turned my gaze away, my heart still racing with emotion. "Just leave."