Strange New Reality–1
Thea’s POV
I couldn’t sleep at all last night, my mind racing a million miles an hour. Everything still felt so fucking surreal. I’d heard about amnesia, read about it, but never imagined I’d become one of those patients myself.
It was the weirdest feeling, having this massive blank space in my memories. Like someone had ripped out pages from the book of my life. I had no recollection of waking up after being shot. No recognition of those people claiming to be my biological parents. No memory of the friends who looked at me with such hope in their eyes. I didn’t remember Phoenix, and worse, I didn’t remember the man who fathered her.
None of it made any goddamn sense. Why would I sleep with another man? And why did Sebastian seem completely okay with it? Even more bizarre, if I really had slept with someone else and gotten pregnant, why were we still married? And where the fuck was
my wedding ring?
It felt like I’d missed so much. In my mind, Leo should only be three years old, but reality showed me he’d grown considerably since then. It was like I’d missed all those important moments in his development. He’d shared so many memories we supposedly had together, but they meant nothing to me because I simply couldn’t remember them.
I stood by the window, absently brushing my hair. It was evening now, and I was waiting for Sebastian and Leo to come pick Phoenix and me up to go home.
Another thing bothering me was that Sebastian seemed completely different from the man in my memories. His behavior had changed so drastically that I wondered if I’d woken up in some parallel universe–like a wizard had possessed his body or something.
The hugs, the kisses, constantly holding my hand… these gestures were so foreign to me. The last time we talked in my memory, he told me he hated me and would never forgive
- me.
What the fuck had changed during this time?
As I pondered this, the head nurse walked in carrying Phoenix.
“Want to try feeding Phoenix again?” she asked, placing my daughter in my arms.
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Yesterday we’d tried to get Phoenix to breastfeed, but it had been difficult. She seemed used to the bottle and found my breast unfamiliar. Honestly, I was just grateful I still had
milk, and I didn’t mind trying until she got used to it.
“Of course, please help me.”
I unbuttoned my gown and tried to get her to latch. When she finally did and started sucking, I sighed with relief.
It felt good, providing nourishment for her from my body. Though I’d only known her for a day, I already felt the connection between us, just like the connection I had with Leo.
My brain might not remember carrying her, but my heart knew she was mine.
“Excited about going home?” the head nurse asked while packing up Phoenix’s things.
Yesterday she’d told me everything about Phoenix. I was incredibly grateful that despite being premature, she had survived, thanks to their excellent care.
“Yeah,” I chuckled lightly, “like I said, I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed, it’ll be much
more comfortable.”
She smiled but didn’t say anything more. After finishing up, she said goodbye and left.
Phoenix had fallen asleep, but I continued holding her. I suddenly realized how much I
didn’t want to be separated from her or Leo.
According to everyone, I had almost died. In fact, my heart had stopped twice for a few seconds. The thought that I could have permanently left my children behind felt
devastating.
As I was lost in these thoughts, Sebastian and Leo walked into the room.
“Hi Mom,” Leo came straight over and gave me a hug.
“Hi sweetheart,” I kissed his cheek, feeling happiness and joy wash over me.
Sebastian waited until we were finished before approaching.
Strange New Reality–2
“Flowers for the beautiful lady,” Sebastian smiled.
Then he did something that shocked me again–he leaned down and kissed my cheek. I stared at his throat in shock. Get what I mean? He really had changed!
The Sebastian in my memory would absolutely never kiss me, not even a peck on the cheek. This was entirely new territory, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it.
“Thank you,” I shook my head, trying to dispel the confusion.
“Ready to leave?” he asked.
Leo gently took Phoenix from my hands. The way he looked at her was so tender, like she lit up his world. When he whispered sweet nothings to her, Phoenix woke up. Surprisingly, she didn’t cry, just stared at her brother, fascinated. I guessed she was already used to
him.
“Yes, everything’s packed.”
“Great, we’ll make it just in time for dinner.”
He helped me up, then grabbed our bags, and we left the room that had been my home for the past three months.
Before leaving, I said goodbye to the chief physician and nurses. Most of them had tears in their eyes. It touched my heart to see how happy they were that I had finally recovered enough to go home. They had thought I would never wake up. For them, it was nothing
short of a miracle.
“What about the bill?” I tugged at Sebastian’s sleeve to get his attention.
“Don’t worry, it’s been taken care of.”
Then he took my hand, and we followed Leo, who was walking ahead of us. I stared at our linked hands, completely mesmerized.
Maybe this was all just a dream. Because what the fuck was this strange situation? Why
was he constantly holding my hand?
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Strange New Reality–2
Just as I was about to pull away, we reached the parking lot. The car was not far away. Leo got in, still talking to his sister, and Phoenix’s gaze followed him as if she was actually listening to what he was saying.
I noticed Rayne sitting in the driver’s seat, and he smiled at me. “Congratulations on your discharge, Luna.”
“Ah, yes, thank you.” I nodded, my confusion growing–Rayne, as Sebastian’s Beta, while showing respect due to my Luna status, had never been so friendly and warm toward me.
What was going on?
The ride was quiet except for Leo, who was still talking to Phoenix. When he told his sister about all the things he’d done and all the things they would do together when she grew up, it was as if we didn’t exist in Leo and Phoenix’s world.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t even realize the journey had ended until Sebastian gently nudged me.
“We’re home,” he said, opening the door.
That’s when Phoenix started crying loudly. I took her from Leo, but she. continued wailing.
“Maybe she’s hungry,” I muttered to myself.
“You go ahead, I’ll get the luggage.”
I nodded and got out of the car, walking toward the massive mansion. It looked the same as before, but somehow, I felt like it wasn’t my home anymore.
I didn’t understand why I suddenly felt this way.
Stepping inside, I found that everything had changed. The paintings, the decorations, everything. I stood there, surprised, looking around. Something felt different, and it wasn’t just because the house looked unfamiliar.
There was a warmth missing here. A warmth that had existed yesterday (or what my brain
perceived as yesterday).
I continued taking careful steps. This feeling of being in an unfamiliar place grew stronger. My mind kept telling me this was my home, even though it had changed, but my
S
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Strange New Reality–2
heart and soul couldn’t agree.
Another cry from Phoenix pulled me back from this strange feeling. I quickly made my way to a guest room downstairs.
Feeding Phoenix was the priority now. I could figure out why things felt wrong later.
