Once they were alone, Evan and Adison walked towards the exit. The hospital corridors felt endless, each step echoing the uncertainties in Evan's mind.
Adison broke the silence. "Sara, I know this is all overwhelming, but you need to focus on your recovery."
Evan nodded. "I know. I just… I have a lot on my mind."
Adison's eyes narrowed slightly. "Just remember to take it easy. Stress won't help."
Evan forced a smile. "I'll try. Thanks."
As they reached the car, Evan couldn't shake the feeling that Adison was watching him closely, scrutinizing his every move. The drive back to the house was filled with tense silence.
Back at the house, Evan settled into Sara's room, his thoughts racing. He needed to piece together everything he had learned and figure out their next move. Jaxon's words echoed in his mind: "We need to stay vigilant and find out the truth ourselves."
The days that followed were filled with careful observations and subtle inquiries. Evan, acting as Sara, tried to gather more information about Adison and Sara's relationship. He paid close attention to their interactions, looking for any clues that could shed light on their history.
One afternoon, Evan decided to start a conversation with Adison about their past. "Adison, can you tell me more about how we met?"
Adison looked at him, slightly puzzled but willing to indulge. "Sure, why not? We met at a charity event a few years ago. You were there with your sister, Emily. I remember you were wearing that beautiful blue dress. We started talking and hit it off right away."
Evan's eyes widened in surprise. "Emily? Who's Emily?"
Adison raised an eyebrow. "Your sister, Emily Thompson. She's in London right now, dealing with some personal issues. You talk about her all the time."
Evan tried to mask his surprise and confusion. "Right, of course. Emily. I just… I guess I've been so overwhelmed that I forgot."
Adison nodded, seemingly satisfied with the explanation. "Understandable. It's been a lot for you."
Evan forced a smile, trying to hide his unease. "That sounds perfect."
Over the next few days, Evan continued to ask subtle questions about their relationship, learning about their shared memories and experiences. He discovered that they had been together for over two years and had built a life that seemed picture-perfect on the surface.
In addition to learning about their relationship, Evan also focused on Sara's past and childhood. He spent time looking through old photo albums and family memorabilia. He found pictures of Sara and Emily as children, their smiles wide and carefree. He learned about their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, who were well-known and respected in the community.
One evening, as Evan flipped through a scrapbook, he came across a page dedicated to Sara's childhood dreams and aspirations. There were pictures of her playing soccer, participating in school plays, and even a letter she had written to herself about wanting to make a difference in the world.
As Evan read through the letter, he felt a sense of connection to Sara. He realized that understanding her life and past was crucial to adjusting to his new reality and uncovering any clues that might help them in their quest for the truth.
One morning, Evan decided to talk to Sara's mother, Mrs. Thompson, to learn more about Sara's life and her relationship with Adison. He found her in the garden, tending to the flowers.
"Good morning, Mrs. Thompson," Evan greeted her with a warm smile.
Mrs. Thompson looked up, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Good morning, Sara. How are you feeling?"
"I'm doing better, thank you. I wanted to talk to you about something, if you have a moment," Evan said, trying to sound casual.
"Of course, dear. What's on your mind?" Mrs. Thompson replied, setting down her gardening tools.
Evan took a deep breath. "I've been thinking a lot about my life and everything that's happened. I wanted to know more about myself, especially from when I was younger. Could you tell me more about how I was as a child?"
Mrs. Thompson smiled warmly. "You were always a bright and curious child, Sara. You had a love for learning and were always asking questions. You were also very determined and hardworking. I remember you spent hours practicing soccer in the backyard, determined to make the team."
Evan listened intently, trying to absorb every detail. "That sounds like me. I guess I just needed a reminder."
Mrs. Thompson chuckled. "You've grown into a wonderful young woman, Sara. Your father and I are very proud of you."
Evan hesitated for a moment before asking, "I've also been thinking about Adison. How do you feel about him? Am I happy in my relationship with him?"
Mrs. Thompson's smile faded slightly. "Adison is charming and has always treated you well. But as your mother, I've noticed things that concern me. You seem happy, but there are times when I wonder if you're truly content."
Evan's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"
Mrs. Thompson sighed, her eyes filling with a mix of concern and love. "I've seen you put on a brave face, Sara. You're strong, but I worry that you might be hiding your true feelings. I want you to be genuinely happy, not just for appearances."
Evan felt a surge of emotions. "I understand,I promise I'll think about everything carefully."
Mrs. Thompson reached out and gently held Evan's hand. "I know you will, dear. And please, call me Mom. I want you to feel comfortable and know that we're here for you, always."
Evan felt a lump in his throat, touched by her words. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, feeling a wave of discomfort. "I… I'll try. Next time, I promise."
Mrs. Thompson's eyes softened with understanding. "That's alright, Sara. Take your time. Just know that you're loved and supported."
Evan gave a small smile. "Thank you. I appreciate it."
Mrs. Thompson smiled warmly, her eyes shining with tears. "That's better, Sara. Remember, you're not alone."
Evan hugged Mrs. Thompson, feeling a sense of comfort and support. As they parted, he knew he had to continue his quest for the truth, not just for himself but for Sara and her family as well.
The days turned into weeks, and Evan's understanding of Sara's life deepened. He grew more adept at navigating her daily routines, conversations, and relationships. The puzzle pieces were slowly coming together, but the full picture was still elusive.
One evening, Evan decided to talk to Adison about his life. He found Adison in the living room, reading a book.
"Adison, can we talk for a bit?" Evan asked, trying to sound casual.
Adison looked up, closing his book. "Sure, Sara. What's up?"
Evan sat down across from him. "I've been thinking a lot about us and everything that's happened. I realized I don't know much about your life. Can you tell me more about yourself?"
Adison seemed slightly taken aback but nodded. "Of course. What do you want to know?"
Evan thought for a moment. "Well, what do you do for a living? And how did you get into it?"
Adison smiled. "I work in finance. It's something I've always been passionate about. I got into it right after college, and I've been working my way up ever since. I love the challenge and the excitement of the market. It keeps me on my toes."
Evan nodded, trying to absorb the information. "That sounds interesting. Do you enjoy what you do?"
Adison leaned back, contemplating. "For the most part, yes. It's demanding, but it's also rewarding. I like knowing that my work has an impact."
Evan decided to delve deeper. "What about your family? I realized I don't know much about them either."
Adison's expression shifted slightly, but he maintained his composure. "My family is... complicated. My parents died in a car accident when I was young. Since then, it's just been me and my sister, Yoona. She's been my rock through everything."
Evan felt a pang of unease but continued. "That's nice to hear. It must be good to have someone you can rely on."
Adison nodded. "Yes, it is. What about you, Sara? You've been asking a lot of questions lately. Is everything alright?"
Evan's heart raced. He needed to be careful with his words. "I've just been reflecting on a lot of things, especially after the accident. It made me realize there's so much I don't know."
Adison watched him closely, a hint of suspicion in his eyes. "Is there something specific you're trying to figure out?"
Evan hesitated, then decided to ask the burning question. "Adison, do you really love Sara?"
Adison's eyes widened slightly, then he smiled. "Of course I love you, Sara. Why would you even ask that?"
Evan swallowed hard, feeling the tension in the air. "I just needed to hear it."
Adison's smile turned into a playful smirk. He leaned in closer. "You've been very curious lately, Sara. Trying to get to know everything about me, our relationship, and even my family. What's going on?"
Evan felt a chill run down his spine. "I'm just trying to understand everything better."
Adison's gaze grew intense. "Are you sure it's not something else? Maybe you're falling for me all over again?"
Evan tried to keep his composure. "No, Adison. I'm just trying to get to know you better. That's all."
Adison leaned even closer, his voice dropping to a flirtatious whisper. "I think you're falling for me, Sara. Why else would you be so interested?"
Before Evan could respond, Adison suddenly leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Evan froze, his mind reeling from the unexpected kiss. A surge of panic and shock washed over him. He quickly pulled away, his heart pounding.
Evan felt a wave of disgust and anger. He wiped his lips furiously, his face contorted with revulsion. "What the hell are you doing, Adison? How dare you!" he spat out, feeling a knot of nausea in his stomach.
Adison chuckled, clearly amused. "What's wrong, Sara? Didn't you like it?"
Evan felt the bile rise in his throat. "No, Adison. I didn't. You're a rascal, an asshole. How dare you kiss me without my permission?" He felt like vomiting and rushed to the washroom, slamming the door behind him.
Inside the washroom, Evan leaned over the sink, trying to steady his breathing. He felt a mix of rage and nausea, the kiss replaying in his mind. He splashed water on his face, trying to wash away the feeling of violation.
After a few moments, he heard a knock on the door. "Sara, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," Adison's voice called out, sounding apologetic.
Evan took a deep breath and opened the door, glaring at Adison. "Just stay away from me, Adison."
Adison nodded, his expression serious. "I understand. Take all the time you need."