Chapter 198
Chapter 198
The atmosphere in the hospital room was suffocating like the air had frozen solid.
Everyone’s eyes were locked on Alex, waiting for his response.
Alex stood frozen, his back stiff as a board.
He avoided Ellie’s gaze, hesitating as he knelt by the hospital bed Leaning his elbows on the edge of the bed, he carefully reached for Ellie’s hand.
His Adam’s apple bobbed as he struggled to speak, remaining silent for what felt like forever. Finally, he took a deep breath, summoning all his courage. “Last winter… Mr. Thompson passed away.”
Slap! Ellie’s hand shot up, striking Alex hard across the face.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she shouted, “You’re lying!”
Her words hung in the air, plunging the room back into an eerie silence.
Ignoring the burning pain on his face, Alex locked his red–rimmed eyes on Ellie. “Yesterday, you went out with friends and fell into the water. You hit your head and forgot some things. Even if you don’t believe me, your brother Aaron and Mrs. Thompson wouldn’t lie to you”
Ellie’s lips trembled as large tears fell endlessly. She turned her blurry gaze toward Aaron. “Aaron?”
Aaron’s eyes were red, his lips moving slightly, but instead of speaking, he turned to glance at their uncle, Jason.
Jason frowned deeply.
“Joanna!” Ellie’s voice cracked in panic as she saw Aaron’s reaction. She struggled to get out of bed, but Alex quickly stopped)
her.
Joanna spoke up gently, “Ellie, he’s not lying to you.”
Ellie froze, stopping all movement. She sat there on the bed, stunned, whispering to herself, “It’s my fault. I couldn’t make enough money to buy Dad his medicine. He must’ve decided he didn’t want to be a burden…”
Alex stayed by her side, listening to her every word.
Each one was like a knife stabbing into Alex’s heart, leaving him gasping for air.
“No!” Alex suddenly shouted, his voice cracking. “It’s my fault! I’m the one who killed Mr. Thompson!”
Everyone in the room froze, their expressions changing instantly. No one expected Alex to take full responsibility for Harold’s death, especially after Ellie lost her memory.
“What are you talking about, Alex?” Ellie stared at him in disbelief.
Alex’s hands trembled as he gripped Ellie’s tightly. Meeting her disbelieving gaze, he forced himself to speak. “It was my fault! I caused Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Thompson to get upset
“That day. I went to apologize to them, but Haley followed me. She said terrible things to them, and that’s why Mr. Thompson went to the station late at night to find you…. and got into the accident.”
“No way!” Ellie cut him off sharply. “Haley is Aaron’s girlfriend. She’d never say awful things to my parents!”
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No one interrupted, leaving Alex to continue explaining.
“She did it because… Haley stole the necklace I gave you. I mistook her for the person who saved my life, and… I…”
Alex’s voice faltered, his eyes meeting Ellie’s. He opened his mouth, but no more words came out.
“If Alex has nothing else to say, then stop talking!”
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Jason, silent until now, finally spoke with authority. ‘Aaron, help Whitney pack Ellie’s things. She needs to rest at home”
Ellie’s mind was in utter chaos, She glanced at the imposing man standing not far away, but she couldn’t focus on who he was. All she wanted was to figure out how slie ended up in the hospital and how she lost her memory.
Jason!” Alex suddenly stood, grabbing Ellie and holding her tightly as if someone was trying to take her away. “Please, I’m begging you, give me a chance to take care of her!”
“Take care of her? You’re not worthy!” Jason shot Alex a sharp warning glance before helping Joanna leave the room.
Alex’s parents, who had been too embarrassed to speak, rushed after Jason and Joanna without a word to their
“If you want the truth, come find me.”
son.
Alex ignored Aaron’s attempts to stop him. He hugged Ellie tightly, whispering the words in her ear before slowly letting go. He stood by the bed, numb, watching Aaron carry Ellie away
As the door closed, Alex instinctively clutched his chest, his fingers gripping his shirt. He staggered backward until his body hit the wall.
Smack!
Alex’s mother, Nancy, slapped him hard across the face. “Alex, listen to me! Ellie might have lost her memory, but the Thompsons haven’t forgotten anything!”
Pointing a finger at him, Nancy warned, “You bullied Ellie and her family behind our backs before. Now that Jason’s back- someone even the mayor respects–you’re on thin ice. Don’t you dare try to deceive Ellie while she’s like this!”
tom
Alex covered his stinging cheek, lowering his head to hide the emotions in his eyes. He stayed silent while Nancy scolded him, not uttering a single word.
But his stubbornness, visible in every inch of his body, only made Nancy angrier and more worried.
By noon, Ellie had returned to the Thompson residence. After fainting from a headache, Jason had a military doctor examine her before leaving.
The massive living room felt stifling, the atmosphere heavy.
Whitney, distressed over Ellie’s condition, suggested, “Maybe we should send Ellie abroad for a while. It’d give her time to calm down and keep her away from that lunatic Alex.”
Joanna sighed. “Ellie seems soft, but her temper’s just like her dad’s–stubborn as a mule. Until she gets the answers she wants, she won’t leave.”
Whitney hesitated. “Ellie doesn’t remember any of the bad thing. If we tell her everything now to keep Alex away, it might hurt her more than it helps. I’m worried she won’t be able to halle it.”
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Chapter 198
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She thought to herself, “When Ellie was desperate, she sang at my bar to make ends meet. I know about her seven–year crush
on Alex.
Joanna said, “If telling Ellie the truth will make her suffer, and no telling her will still make her suffer, maybe we should only share what can be said for now and leave the rest for later?”
She turned to Aaron, “Aaron, what’s your take on this?”
Aaron sat on the couch, his brows furrowed tightly.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. “Mom, Whitney, I know youre both thinking about what’s best for Ellie. But even with good intentions, hiding the truth means Ellie’s decisions will be based on incomplete information.”
He continued. “If we don’t tell her the truth now and let her make informed choices, when she regains her memory, things will only get worse.”
Jason nodded, his voice calm but firm. “Ellie has a head injury and shouldn’t overthink things right now. Let’s c
compromise- let her recover first, and when the time is right, we’ll tell her everything she’s forgotten.”
Aaron agreed, his expression serious. “I support Jason’s suggestion. This can wait for a little while, but we must tell her. Even if it’s painful, she has to face it and process it herself. It’s better than her being left in the dark and making a wrong decision.”
Jason added decisively. “In the meantime, I’ve arranged for military doctors to check on her daily. No one else is allowed into The Thompson residence.
Ellie woke up again, but it was already late at night.
Joanna, Whitney, let me talk to Ellie alone for a bit, Aaron said,
After convincing Joanna and Whitney to rest, Aaron closed Ellie’s bedroom door and sat down beside her.
“Aaron, what’s really going on with me?”
Ellie leaned against the headboard, clutching Aaron’s hand tightly. “Why did Alex say Harold’s death had something to do with him? Why did he say Haley followed him to see Harold and Joanna and said horrible things? Why are we here? And who was that man who brought me back?”
Her questions came out in a rush, one after another. Aaron waited patiently until she was done before he began to speak.
His tone was soft but serious. “Ellie, listen to me calmly”
Ellie’s emotions were a mix of sadness and anxiety. “Aaron, how did I lose my memory? What did the doctor say?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you everything you need to know,” Aaron said, trying to soothe her.
Aaron comforted Ellie. “You went out with some friends and accidentally fell into the water. You hit your head, and the doctor said it’s a case of temporary amnesia caused by trauma. You’ll recover soon.”
Ellie visibly relaxed at his words, but Aaron hesitated before continuing, his voice growing heavier. “Last winter, Dad did pass away. You can’t remember because of the memory loss.”
Ellie’s lips quivered as she fought back tears. “Aaron, was Harold death… really connected to Alex?”
Aaron sighed deeply, his expression serious as he looked at his ster. “When you returned from Barry to start your internship at the Jaslands hospital here, a lot happened.”
That day, Alex did go back to apologize to Joanna and Harold. It none of us expected Haley to follow him there. She said. terrible things in front of Joanna and Harold, and that’s why Harold went to the station late at night to come find us. That’s
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when the accident happened.
Ellie was shocked. “Aaron, Haley was practically meeting the farmly with you. Why would she do that? Why-
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Aaron cut her off, his voice steady. “Breakups happen, Ellie. Love is about two people connecting both physically and emotionally. We came from different backgrounds, had different values, and wanted different things in life. It was bound to happen sooner or later
Ellie’s voice rose. “But she was the one who chased after you. She started it! Even if you two broke up, how could she say such awful things to Mom and Dad? Why would she do that?”
Aaron’s tone hardened slightly. “Not all relationships end well, a not all breakups are clean. She caused Dad’s accident, but she didn’t walk away unscathed either. The Owens family went bankrupt, and she left the city.”
There’s no way to explain everything in just a few words, Aaron continued, softening again. “For now, don’t think about anything else. Focus on recovering your health. Once you’re better, you’ll remember everything on your own.”
Aaron added. “The man who brought you back is Jason. He’s alive. And where we’re staying now–this is The Thompson residence, Jason’s house.”
Looking at Ellie, Aaron spoke carefully but firmly. “Ellie, I know you still have a lot of questions, but the doctor said you can’t overwork your brain.”
“Right now, your health is the priority. Don’t worry everyone by pushing yourself too hard. Once your headaches go away. I’ll tell you everything you’ve forgotten.”
“But Ellie, you must promise Aaron that until you’ve remembered everything, you won’t make any decisions on your own. Stick to the current situation until your memory is fully back!”
Ellie looked at Aaron with determined eyes and nodded. “Aaron, I’ll listen to you!”
Even if others might lie to her, Joanna and Aaron never would, she thought.
She said, “Don’t worry, Aaron. I may have lost some memories, but I didn’t lose my brain. Until I’ve remembered everything, I’ll always talk to you and Joanna before doing anything I won’t make any decisions that’ll worry you!”
She knew she had to be responsible for herself and her family.
Two days later, Diana arrived at the Thompson residence with Quinlee but was turned away by Aaron.
Standing outside, Diana pointed at Aaron, who was behind the gate. Talready apologized to you. Let me in, and I’ll just say a few words to Ellie.
Aaron’s tone was calm but firm. “She needs to rest. Don’t come back until she’s fully recovered.”
Diana reached through the gate bars, trying to grab Aaron’s sleeve.
Aaron caught her wrist and gently pushed her hand back out, “Drive safely on your way home.”
“Aaron!” Diana stomped her foot in frustration as Aaron turned and walked away without hesitation.
She glanced at Quinlee beside her and felt furious at herself for not thinking things through. That day, Quinlee had kept insisting on treating Ellie to something as a thank–you. Diana called Ellie, but when Ellie declined, she should’ve just let it go.
T
Instead, Quinlee brought Winnie along, and the two pressured Dana into agreeing. Diana reluctantly took Quinlee to see Elle, thinking it was harmless.
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On the way. Lacey kept complaining that the location Quinlee chose was too far, but Diana didn’t take it seriously.
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When they got to the lake. Diana saw Ellie hesitate to get on the boat. She thought Ellie was just scared of water and never
magised how deep her fear truly ran.
Two hours later, Lacey showed up at the Thompson residence, looking for Ellie However, she too was turned away.
Lacey pleaded at the gate, “Mrs. Thompson, I brought Ellie some food. I’ll leave right after
Joanna replied politely but firmly. Ms. Mosley. I’m sorry. The do tor said Ellic needs rest. Please wait until she’s feeling beter before visiting again.”
Lacey had no choice but to leave the food by the gate and head back.
The next day, at 7 pm. all employees had left for the day. The building of the Warren Group was shrouded in darkness. except for the lit–up CEO’s office.
Ken dressed in black slacks and a black shirt, was biting a cigarette while playing pool in the lounge.
Not far behind him. Barry hesitated before speaking.
- Diana Grant and Mrs. Winnie Grant, Ms. Quinlee Janssen, Ms. Lacey Mosley, Mr. Nathan Warren and Mrs. Nancy Munties, and even the Ford family all the way from Deerwall… plus two groups of government officials.”
A straightened, set his pool cue down, and raised an eyebrow. So you’re saying the Thompson residence has shut its doon to everyone?”
Barry nodded nervously. “Uh.. maybe, Mr. Warren, you could try going there yourself?”
staped silent for a while, then pulled out his phone and opened Ellie’s WhatsApp messages
crolled through the countless unread messages he had sent her, cleared his throat, and dialed Ellie’s number.
Looking smug. Alex shot Barry a provoking glance before hopping onto the pool table as the call connected.
“Why so quiet? Alex said smoothly, suddenly softening his tone
Barry immediately got goosebumps and turned away, cringing.
Not sure what you’re expecting to hear, Alex, came a cold voice from the other end of the line–Aaron’s voice.
The sex second. Alex froze as the cigarette he had been holdugg fell onto his leg. The lit end burned through his pants, and with a grip, be jutoped off the pool table, frantically patting his leg
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