Losing Memory, Losing Love

"Another nightmare?" A call came through.

James responded softly, "Yes."

"I checked your heart rate, it's been increasing lately. That's not a good sign."

James asked, "Will my memory come back?"

"Not sure," the person on the other end replied. "With the kind of injuries you had, forgetting might actually be a blessing."

That was what the doctor had told him. Forgetting might be for the best. He tried not to dwell on it, but in his dreams, the past kept pulling him back. Something told him that those memories weren't happy ones. There was hatred mixed in, yet deep down, there was also an undeniable sense of unwillingness to let go.

***

For the next few days, James didn't return home. Harley didn't leave the house either. She had never waited for him like this before. There wasn't much time left. She just wanted to spend a little more time with him, even if they didn't speak. Alas, her hopes were slowly crumbling. The more she wanted something, the faster it slipped through her fingers.

It had always been this way, but she didn't want to wait anymore. Harley opened the window and saw that it was snowing outside. A vast stretch of white. A gust of cold wind blew in, sending a chill through her body. She shivered. Wrapping herself in a thick down jacket, she put on a hat and scarf, bundling up completely before stepping out.

Sabrina Thompson was already waiting for her. Noticing how heavily dressed she was compared to others, Sabrina sighed. "It's freezing, and you still insisted on coming out?" She reached over and put earmuffs on Harley.

Harley smiled faintly. "I might not have another chance."

Sabrina frowned. "What do you mean? Can't you wait until the snow stops? You've always hated snowy days."

Harley shook her head. "Let's go inside. I want to buy something." She headed to the men's clothing section, browsing through the racks.

Sabrina watched her and immediately understood who she was shopping for. Her expression darkened. "Harley, you're not seriously still thinking about him, are you?"

Harley's gaze fell on a dark-colored coat. It would suit James perfectly. She had it wrapped up. "I don't know if I am," she murmured. "But I'm divorcing him."

Sabrina was completely stunned. "What?"

Harley turned to her. "This will probably be the last thing I ever do for him." She had waited so many days, but he never came back. So, she decided to finish this one last thing. If she stayed any longer, she might not see him before Harley's identity completely disappeared. Before that, she had to end it completely.

Harley took the packed clothes and was about to go home. Unexpectedly, at the jewelry counter around the corner, she saw the man. He stood beside Quincy, who was leaning over the glass counter, looking at her left hand. On her finger was a diamond ring, sparkling and dazzling under the light. James was accompanying Quincy to look at wedding rings; this would surely be another headline in the news.

"Harley, are you still going to be love-struck?" Sabrina's voice rang in her ears.

Harley comforted herself, "I'm not love-struck, and James isn't a heartless man. He just forgot about me." That was true, but why did it hurt so much?