Forget Past for New Romance

When I opened my eyes, the stark white hospital ceiling loomed overhead. My parents stood beside me, their faces etched with worry, tears threatening to overflow. The doctor had explained it was respiratory alkalosis, brought on by an intense emotional episode that caused me to faint.

My mother hugged me, gently stroking my head. "Sweetheart, are you alright? Are you really alright?"

"Mauricio just took off at such a crucial time?"

"He left my precious daughter like this—thank goodness it wasn't more serious."

"Otherwise, I'd never forgive him."

The sharp smell of disinfectant hung in the air, and confusion settled over me. Mauricio? Who was Mauricio? I didn't know anyone by that name, did I?

Before I could think further, more people hurried into the room. My parents' business partners, Thaddeus Hughes and Blaire Lopez, rushed in to see me.

Blaire, as lively as ever, jogged over and wrapped me in a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Clare. It's my fault for raising such a jerk. How could he do this to you?"

Thaddeus placed a gift on the bedside table, his face still clouded with anger.

"Clare, don't worry, I'll make sure to confront Mauricio about this. What a fool!"

Mauricio? Who on earth was Mauricio? From the sound of it, he had done something terrible, but I couldn't recall a thing.

Confusion filled my mind as I desperately tried to figure out who Mauricio might be. Seeing my struggle, my parents exchanged worried looks, their anxiety resurfacing. They clasped my hand tightly, their eyes full of concern and love.

I looked at Blaire, who was alternating between tears and swearing. Finally, I found the courage to voice my uncertainty.

"Who exactly is Mauricio? Why does everyone keep mentioning him? I really don't think I know him."

My question made all four adults spring to their feet. My father, looking startled, rushed out to get the doctor to arrange a brain scan for me. When the results came back, they were presented to the doctor.

The doctor explained it was memory loss due to emotional trauma.

I blinked in surprise. Memory loss? It didn't seem too severe since I remembered everyone else—everyone except this Mauricio character. Why was that? I couldn't quite understand. Maybe he was unimportant to me, so he just slipped from my memory.