Chapter 111
~ Clinton ~
I was happy—genuinely happy—that Octavia rembered . And I was even happier that her father had decided to let see her, despite Franklin’s protests. I guess Ben was simply doing what any father would do to make his daughter happy. That was good enough for .
After Franklin stord out, Ben returned to the ward.
"So I just spoke to your mom," he said, smiling at Octavia. "She’s already working on that homade chicken soup and sourdough breadsticks. You’ll have a proper dinner tonight."
"That sounds great," Octavia replied, her smile lighting up the room.
Ben turned to . "Since this is your good friend, I suppose proper introductions are in order." He extended his hand. "I’m Ben Herman."
"Nice to et you, Mr. Herman," I said, shaking it firmly.
"Likewise." He gave a warm nod, then glanced at the door. "I was actually about to step out and grab sothing to eat before you arrived. Would you like to join ?"
"No, I’m good, thanks," I replied, shaking my head. "But thank you for the offer."
"Alright then." Ben looked back at , his expression turning serious but kind. "Mr. Clinton, I need you to promise you won’t do any funny business with my daughter while I’m gone."
"Don’t worry, sir. Nothing like that will happen. I’ll stay right here until you get back. You have nothing to worry about."
"Okay." Ben turned to Octavia. "I’ll be right back, sweetheart."
"Okay, Dad," she said softly.
Once he left, I smiled at her. "Your father seems like a really nice person."
"He is," she agreed, nodding.
I pulled the chair closer to her bed. "How have you been since you woke up?"
"Honestly?" She exhaled slowly. "I’ve been feeling strange. They told I was in a coma for eight whole days—more than a week. It feels like the accident happened yesterday and I just woke up today. Ti really flies when you’re unconscious, I guess."
"But you’re okay, right? Nothing too severe?" I asked, concern tightening my chest.
"The doctor said I have amnesia. That’s why I can’t rember Franklin or how the accident even happened. Everything feels foggy... but at least I rember you and my parents. That’s sothing, right?"
"I’m really sorry you’re going through this," I told her gently.
"It’s fine," she shrugged, though her eyes told a different story.
"Don’t worry. Your mories will co back. It’s just a matter of ti." I told her.
I sighed and leaned back in the chair, my thoughts drifting to Franklin. The pure rage on his face when he saw with Octavia...he was consud by jealousy. It was written all over him.
"I’m surprised you rember but not Franklin," I said quietly.
"I’m surprised too," she admitted. "I should rember the man I married more than my friend, right? That makes sense, doesn’t it?"
I nodded. "We’re kind of...connected, you know."
"Connected how?" she asked, tilting her head.
"It’s complicated, but I’ll break it down simply. My father has so kind of long-standing grudge against Franklin’s family—for no good reason, really. And Franklin doesn’t like because he thinks I might try to steal you away from him."
Her eyes widened. "Well...would you?"
I paused, eting her gaze. "Only if you let ."
She stared at for a mont, then let out a soft breath. "That’s fair. But if Franklin really is my husband, then I’m supposed to have feelings for him, aren’t I? That’s why people get married."
I shook my head inwardly. She had no idea her marriage to Franklin had been nothing more than a business arrangent, a marriage of convenience between their families. Should I tell her the truth? Or should I stay quiet and let her mories return on their own?
Telling her now would be manipulation. I had already broken her trust once before. If I took advantage of her amnesia, and her real mories ca flooding back later, she would hate all over again. As painful as it was, she deserved the truth—but she deserved to rember it herself.
"It’s better if you regain those mories on your own instead of filling in the blanks," I said carefully. "Telling you everything might complicate things and ss with your head. I don’t want that."
"That ans you know what happened between us before I lost my mories of him," she said, studying my face.
"Not everything... but yeah, I know enough. Still, it’s best if it cos back naturally."
"Okay," she whispered, then leaned back against the pillows as I helped adjust them for her.
"Hey," she said suddenly, a mischievous spark in her eyes. "Rember when you were acting like Dr. No from the first Jas Bond movie?"
My eyes widened. "You rember that?"
"Mmm-hmm." She grinned and dropped her voice into a perfect Dr. No impression: "I’m afraid you are just too late, Mr. Bond."
I burst out laughing. "Damn, you really rembered."
"It was one of those iconic mories you just don’t forget," she said, laughing along with .
"I’m really glad you didn’t forget it," I told her, warmth spreading through my chest. "Really."
"I also rember that I forgave you for sothing you did wrong to ," she continued, her expression turning thoughtful. "I can’t rember what it was, but I know I was in a forgiving mood."
I frowned slightly. ’Would she eventually rember the reason I broke her trust? Would she resent again? Hate ?’
"What do you think it was?" she asked, curious.
"Octavia..." I began carefully. "Like I said, I think it’s better if you rember everything on your own. Telling you might complicate things, and I don’t want to risk ssing with your recovery."
She reached out and took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Okay. Thank you. I hope I rember soon."
" too," I whispered.
"I think the reason I couldn’t forget you is because you’re a good person," she said softly. "A good person my brain refused to let go of."
"Sotis I don’t believe I’m a good person," I admitted.
"Why would you think that?"
"I don’t know... not everyone on this planet is good, Octavia."
"You are a good person, Clinton," she said firmly, squeezing my hand again. "Just believe that."
I missed her touch more than I could say. Seeing her awake and smiling made everything feel a little lighter.
"I’m happy you’re finally awake, gorgeous," I told her.
"Gorgeous?" She looked a little confused, but there was a hint of a smile.
"It’s the nickna I gave you," I explained. "Because you are gorgeous."
She tilted her head slightly, still processing it. "I guess I forgot that part... but I like it."
"I’m glad you do."
She sighed and settled deeper into the bed. "I feel exhausted... like I ran a marathon, even though I just napped earlier."
"Get so real sleep this ti," I said softly. "Not just a nap. You need it."
"Yeah," she murmured.
I pulled the duvet up to cover her properly. She looked up at . "Are you going to leave now?"
"Only if you want to."
"Don’t leave. Stay with until I fall asleep?"
I nodded. "Okay."
She smiled, then closed her eyes. Her face already had more color than the pale, lifeless version I’d seen when she was unconscious. She yawned once, and within minutes her breathing evened out. Soft snores filled the quiet room.
A few minutes later, Ben returned, carrying a small takeout bag. He paused when he saw her sleeping and spoke in a hushed voice. "Oh, she’s asleep."
"Yeah," I said, standing up quietly. "Now that I know she’s fine, I should head out."
"Okay." He nodded.
"Thank you again for letting see Octavia, Mr. Herman. It ans a lot."
"You’re welco. I did it for her sake. I didn’t want any complications affecting her health. If seeing you helps her, then who am I to stop it?"
I gave him a grateful nod. "Thank you once again. I’ll be going now."
"Take care, Mr. Clinton. Goodbye."
"Bye, Mr. Herman."
I took one last long look at Octavia sleeping peacefully, then slipped out of the ward as quietly as I could.
I was happy to have seen her.
When I reached my car, my phone buzzed with a notification. I pulled it out and smiled. Annabel Oakley Reagan had added as a friend on Snapchat. I opened the app, accepted the request, and felt a small, satisfied grin spread across my face. Annie really was determined to be my friend on every platform. I liked that.
With a final glance at the hospital, I started the engine and drove off.
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