“Isabella… it’s you… Lily…” Philip started to say but couldn’t finish because Mom pulled me toward the car. I saw him following Mom.
“Isabella… Isabella…” Philip called out to Mom.
“Let’s go home, Lily. We’ll talk at home,” Mom told me.
When we got home, Mom revealed to me that Philip was her former boyfriend. She didn’t explain the reason for their breakup, saying she didn’t want me to overthink things because it might harm my pregnancy. I knew she didn’t want to tell me.
Days turned into weeks and weeks into months after our visit to Ma’am Ella’s mansion. Mom and I never went back, but I often checked from a distance—whether it was their mansion or Arlo’s apartment. Eventually, I decided to return to Davis’s mansion.
I gave birth at the mansion, where Mom and Dad supported me and helped me regain my strength. They also advised me never to hide the twins’ father from them. If it weren’t for Mom and Dad, I wouldn’t have known what to do.
Even Grandpa changed significantly when he saw his great-grandchildren. He blamed himself for being selfish, saying that if he hadn’t been, the twins’ father would still be with us.
—
“End of flashback.”
“Sis, I saw Arlo. He’s here now.”
“Lily, is what you’re saying true?” Big Sister Violet asked.
“Yes, sis, but…”
“But what? Why do you look like that? You should be happy. Isn’t this what you’ve been waiting for?” Big Sister Violet said to me.
“He doesn’t recognize me, or maybe he just doesn’t want to acknowledge me because of what I did to him,” I replied sadly.
“Well, if he’s here, maybe the twins will finally meet their father.”
“What if, sis… what if Arlo doesn’t acknowledge the twins?”
“Think positive, Lily .”
“ARLO”
For three days, I couldn’t get the woman I saw out of my mind. She kept insisting that she knew me, but I didn’t know her. I’ve spent years in London—where could she have possibly known me? I can’t even recall meeting her. Maybe she’s just another woman chasing after me, or maybe someone I had a one-night stand with who’s planning to concoct a story like the others.
The more I thought about her face, the more my head ached.
“Arlo, your friends are downstairs,” Alex said to me.
“Alright, Alex, I’ll be right down,” I replied.
I had just finished my gym session, and after getting dressed, I headed downstairs. It had been three years since I last saw my friends. The last time was in Miami. After that, I went to London.
“Arlo, long time no see! Where have you been hiding? Finally, you’re back!”
“Looks like our friend has moved on,” one of them teased.
“Moved on? What are you guys talking about? I’m already engaged. My wedding with my fiancée, Valerie, is next month,” I told them, confused by what they were saying.
“Maybe he’s just joking,” one of them said.
“I’m not joking. I have no idea what you guys are talking about. Valerie will be here later, and I’ll introduce her to you,” I said.
“But Arlo, we thought you were going back for Lily—err, Lily ,” Leo said.
“Lily? Lily? Who is that?” I asked, puzzled.
“Arlo, what’s wrong with you?” Leo asked, looking concerned.
I laughed. “We’re not on the same page. I don’t know anyone named Lily. Stop bringing up her name.
I’ve never seen her in my life. Let’s talk about something else, please.”
“Okay, fine,” Gilbert replied.
The conversation shifted to other topics, but I noticed that Gilbert’s expression remained serious. His eyes were locked on me as if he wanted to say something.
To this day, I haven’t told them what happened to me years ago.
“I have retrograde amnesia,” I finally said.
“What?” my friends exclaimed in shock.
“Yes. There are parts of my past that I can’t remember. My doctor told me that one of the things erased from my memory is anything or anyone that caused me stress or emotional turmoil,” I explained.
“Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”
One by one, they started questioning me, and I explained everything that happened.
I was about to continue when my mom and Valerie arrived.
“Good afternoon, boys. So, you’re all here,” Mom greeted my friends.
“Good afternoon, ma,” my friends replied.
Valerie approached me, and I kissed her on the cheek.
One by one, I introduced her to my friends.
“Valerie Garcia, my fiancée.”
“Hi, guys. So, you’re Arlo’s friends. He always talks about you. Nice to meet you all,” Valerie said cheerfully.
I met Valerie in London. She’s the daughter of one of my investors.
I noticed a sudden change in my friends’ expressions.
“Garcia… that name sounds familiar. Or is she a different Garcia?” Leo asked, puzzled.
““Arlo’s POV”“
“Son, I’m sure your friends already know about your amnesia. If I may ask, please don’t let them remind you of your painful past. It hurts me to see my son struggle,” Mom told them.
My friends exchanged glances.
“Yes, ma,” they replied briefly to Mom.
