Chapter 24
The memories hit her like a tsunami. Isla Monroe’s world blacked out the moment they crashed into her mind—loud, ruthless, and blinding. She passed out cold.
The next time I opened my eyes, I was drenched in sweat. The hospital gown clung to my skin, and the stench of disinfectant made me gag. My head was spinning.
Julian Carter sat by my bed, his hand clutching mine tightly. His eyes were sunken, bloodshot. The kind of look only guilt and sleepless nights could carve.
“Isla, you’re awake,” he blurted, voice rough. He reached for a glass of warm water, offering it like that made up for everything.
I yanked my hand away, my tone icy. “Where’s Dr. Sutton?”
His hand froze midair. “He’s outside. Talking to your doctor.”
Julian swallowed hard, probably hoping I’d say something softer. But I wasn’t in the business of comforting liars.
“You remembered anything yet?”
I stared at him blankly. “You mean Isla Monroe?” I pulled the IV out of my hand and sat up, my gaze cold. “What now, Julian? You here to put on a guilt show? Or trying to gaslight me back into being that woman who lived and breathed for you?”
A bead of blood trickled from the IV puncture as he scrambled to grab a cotton swab.
I slapped his hand away.
He flinched but didn’t move. Still bent over, his voice cracked. “I’m sorry.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “Save it. I was the idiot. I believed you, and I paid the price. With my life, apparently.”
I threw off the blanket and stood. “Move.”
He stepped in front of me, bloodshot eyes burning. “You said you’d love me forever.”
“That version of me is dead, Julian.”
I could almost see the way the words gutted him.
“She died under your lies. Under your betrayal. I’m Isla now. And you? You mean nothing to me.”
Right then, Dr. Sutton burst through the door, holding a container of takeout in one hand.
He rushed over to support me and shot Julian a glare.
“Why are you still here?”
Julian didn’t even blink. His eyes never left me.
I curled my fingers around Sutton’s sleeve. “Let’s go.”
Julian punched the wall so hard I felt the tremor through the floor.
“So it’s because of him?” he snarled. “You think changing your name and playing house with him will make you forget?”
I turned around slowly. My voice was calm, but the cold in it made him flinch. “What, Julian? You want me to die again?”
His expression shattered. Panic, real and ugly, took over his face.
“No… I didn’t—That’s not what I meant.”
I didn’t care. “Then do me a favor. Stay the hell away from me.”
He stood there, frozen, as I walked out with Sutton. The door shut behind us, sealing the damage like a wound that wouldn’t stop bleeding.
Later, after Sutton helped me back into bed and sat beside me while I finished the warm dumpling soup he’d brought, I looked at him.
“You heard everything, didn’t you?”
He hesitated for a second. Then nodded. “Bits and pieces.”
I watched him, trying to read his expression. “Aren’t you curious? Don’t you have a million questions?”
He shook his head. “Whatever that memory means to you, good or bad—it’s yours. If you want to share it with me, I’ll be here. If you don’t, I’ll still be here.”
My eyes stung, but I blinked it away. “Let’s go back home.”
He didn’t question it. He just reached for his phone and started booking the next flight out of North Bay.
