Harrison froze.
His eyes widened as he watched Valentina’s body collapse onto the road.
“Valentina!”
He immediately reached for the car door but before he could step out, the police officers were already beside her.
“Ma’am!
Can you hear me?”
One officer carefully helped her up while another immediately called for emergency medical assistance.
“Get an ambulance here now!”
Harrison stood beside his car, completely stunned.
For several seconds, he couldn’t move.
His heart pounded violently in his chest.
Then the sound of an approaching emergency vehicle broke his trance.
The ambulance rushed towards them as the medical team quickly placed Valentina on a stretcher and carried her inside.
Harrison watched helplessly.
The doors slammed shut and the ambulance sped away.
“Wait!”
Harrison immediately got back into his car.
He followed.
The Hospital
Harrison arrived at the hospital shortly after the ambulance.The moment he stepped out of his car, his usually composed appearance was gone.
He walked quickly through the entrance, his eyes searching desperately for any sign of Valentina.
The nurses noticed his anxious expression.
So did the police officers who had followed him.
They still didn’t know exactly what had caused the situation but after everything that had happened, they knew they couldn’t ignore Valentina’s case anymore.
She was clearly vulnerable and whatever had happened to her before Harrison found her still remained unresolved.
This time, they intended to handle the matter themselves.
Harrison paced through the hospital corridor.
Minutes felt like hours.
Finally, a doctor emerged.
“How is she?”
The doctor looked at Harrison and the officers.
“She is stable.”
Harrison released a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.
“She collapsed because of extreme physical and emotional stress.”
His expression immediately changed.
“Stress?”
“Yes.
Her body is still recovering from the injuries she sustained.
Her memory loss also appears to be placing significant pressure on her mind.”
The doctor paused.
“She needs proper rest and careful monitoring.
Her body needs time to heal.”
Harrison lowered his head.
A deep sense of guilt settled over him.
He had promised himself he would protect her.He had tried to keep her away from anything that could cause her more stress.
Yet somehow, she had ended up running from him, collapsing on the road, and returning to the hospital.
His plan had failed,completely.
“Can I see her?”
Harrison turned toward the ward but before he could take another step, an officer moved in front of him.
“Mr.
Whitmore, please stop.”
Harrison froze.
The officer spoke respectfully.
“I’m sorry, but a temporary restriction has been placed on you having contact with Miss Valentina.”
Harrison’s expression hardened.
“What?”
“The police department is taking over the investigation.”
The officer continued.
“We need to identify her family and determine exactly what happened to her before we allow anyone to assume responsibility for her.”
Harrison stared at him.
“She was assaulted.”
His voice became firm.
“She doesn’t even know it happened to her or who did it”
“I understand, sir.”
“I was protecting her.”
The officer shook his head gently.
“You may have been trying to protect her, but we can’t allow you to isolate her from people who may actually be her family.”
Harrison’s jaw tightened.
“She doesn’t remember them.”
“Which is exactly why we need to investigate.” The officer took a breath.
“Her photograph has already been circulated so that anyone who genuinely knows her can come forward.”
Harrison’s eyes widened slightly.
A strange emptiness settled inside him.He had no legal reason to remain involved,Valentina wasn’t his girlfriend,she wasn’t his relative,she wasn’t even someone he had known for more than a day yet something kept pulling him toward her.
Every time he thought about walking away, he remembered the silver necklace around her neck.
The necklace that looked exactly like the one his mother had worn.
And then he remembered the helpless woman he had found lying in the rain.
Harrison looked towards the ward.
“Just let me see her once.”
The officer hesitated.
“Please.”
After a moment, the officer nodded.
“Five minutes.”
Harrison nodded.
“Thank you.”
Valentina’s Ward
Harrison stopped outside the door as he took a deep breath before knocking.
There was no answer.
He slowly opened the door.
Valentina was awake.
She turned towards him but the warmth that had once been in her eyes was gone.
There was no curiosity no softness only hurt and disappointment.
Harrison stopped.
For some reason, seeing her look at him that way hurt more than he expected.
He slowly walked toward her.
“Valentina.”
She looked away.
Harrison stood beside the bed.
“I came to see how you were feeling.”
“I’m fine.”
Her voice was cold.
Did he deserved it?
Harrison lowered his gaze.
“I know you’re angry.”
Valentina didn’t respond.
“I should have told you the truth.”
Still nothing.
“I shouldn’t have pretended to be your boyfriend.”
Valentina finally looked at him.
“Why did you do it?”
Harrison hesitated.
“Because I thought I was protecting you.”
“You lied to me.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe I had someone.”
Her voice trembled.
“And then I found out none of it was real.”
Harrison’s expression softened.
“I’m sorry.”
Valentina looked down.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Harrison reached into his pocket and pulled out a small card.
He placed it gently on the table beside her.
“My contact information.”
Valentina glanced at it.
“If you ever need help, call me.”
She didn’t touch it,Harrison continued.
“But I won’t force you to stay near me.”
He took a step backward.
“You said you want to know who you really are.”
Valentina nodded.
“I do.”
“I understand.” He looked at her one last time.”I hope you find the answers you’re looking for.”
Then he turned towards the door.
Valentina watched him walk away.
“Harrison.”
He stopped but he didn’t turn around.
Valentina wanted to say something but she didn’t know what.
Though she had wanted him to leave.
She had wanted to be free from his lies.
So why did seeing him walk away suddenly make her heart feel strangely empty?
She remained silent.
Harrison opened the door,then he walked out.
He didn’t look back.
The door slowly closed behind him.
Valentina stared at the card lying on the table.
She picked it up.Her fingers tightened around it.
She had chosen to find her real identity, find her family and had chosen to walk away from the man who had lied to her but now a disturbing thought entered her mind.
Had she made the right choice?
She closed her eyes.
And somewhere deep inside her heart, one question refused to disappear.
Why did the thought of losing Harrison hurt so much?