Chapter 41: The Past That Refused to Stay Buried
The night felt unusually heavy.
Inside the living room, silence stretched between everyone like a thin thread ready to snap.
Lina stood quietly, her fingers tightly gripping the edge of the sofa. Adrian's words still echoed in her mind.
"A video… where I said… I wanted to divorce you."
It hurt more than she expected.
Even if he didn't remember saying it.
Even if he didn't believe it.
The words still cut deep.
Adrian noticed the faint tremble in her fingers.
His chest tightened.
"Lina…"
She quickly forced a small smile.
"I'm fine."
But her eyes betrayed her.
Adrian stepped closer.
"You don't look fine."
She lowered her gaze.
"I just… didn't expect that."
Daniel cleared his throat softly, sensing the tension.
"Emily is manipulating things."
Sophia nodded.
"Yeah. She's clearly trying to break you two apart."
Lina took a deep breath.
"I know…"
She looked at Adrian.
"I trust you."
Her words were gentle.
But they carried weight.
Adrian felt something shift inside him.
Warm.
Comforting.
Yet also painful.
Because he wasn't sure he deserved that trust.
"I won't let her succeed," he said quietly.
Lina nodded.
"I know."
—
Later that night…
Everyone eventually left.
Sophia and Daniel headed home.
The house became quiet again.
Lina walked toward the balcony.
The cool night air brushed against her skin.
Her mind refused to settle.
She tried to remember.
Anything.
But nothing came.
Just fragments.
Broken pieces.
A road.
Rain.
Voices.
Then darkness.
She sighed softly.
Suddenly—
Footsteps behind her.
Adrian walked out.
"You should rest."
She smiled faintly.
"I will soon."
He stood beside her.
Neither spoke.
The silence felt comfortable.
After a moment, Lina spoke softly.
"Do you… think it's true?"
Adrian glanced at her.
"The video?"
She nodded.
"That you wanted to divorce me."
He looked at the night sky.
"I don't know."
Her heart tightened slightly.
"But…" he continued.
"I know how I feel now."
She looked at him.
His eyes met hers.
"I'm not leaving you."
Her heart skipped.
The air between them changed.
Warmer.
Closer.
Lina's cheeks turned slightly red.
She looked away.
"That's… good to hear."
Adrian smiled faintly.
For the first time tonight—
The tension eased.
—
The next morning…
Adrian woke early.
But Lina was already gone.
He frowned slightly.
He walked downstairs.
She sat at the dining table, reading something.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
She looked up.
"I called the hospital."
Adrian's expression changed.
"The hospital?"
She nodded.
"Where we were treated after the accident."
He walked closer.
"And?"
"They refused to share information."
His eyes narrowed.
"That's suspicious."
Lina nodded.
"They said only family members can request records."
Adrian frowned.
"I'll call."
She shook her head.
"I think… we should go there."
He looked at her.
"Together?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
He agreed.
"Okay."
—
An hour later…
They arrived at the hospital.
The same place where everything changed.
Lina's heart felt uneasy.
Adrian noticed.
"You okay?"
She nodded.
"Just… nervous."
They walked inside.
The receptionist looked up.
"How can I help you?"
Adrian spoke calmly.
"We want to request our medical records from two months ago."
The receptionist typed quickly.
Then paused.
Her expression changed slightly.
"I'm sorry… those records are restricted."
Adrian frowned.
"Restricted?"
"Yes."
"By who?"
She hesitated.
"By… Mr. Harrison."
Adrian froze.
"My father?"
She nodded.
Lina's heart sank.
So Emily was telling the truth.
Adrian's expression hardened.
"I want to see them."
"I'm sorry… only Mr. Harrison can approve."
Adrian clenched his jaw.
"Fine."
He pulled out his phone.
Dialed.
The line connected.
"Father."
A calm voice replied.
"Adrian."
"I want my medical records."
Silence.
"Why?"
"Because they're mine."
His father sighed softly.
"You don't need them."
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"I do."
Another pause.
"Come to my office."
The call ended.
Lina looked at him.
"What did he say?"
"We're going to see him."
Her heart raced.
Because she had never met Adrian's father before.
—
Half an hour later…
They arrived at Harrison Group headquarters.
The building towered above the city.
Cold.
Imposing.
Lina felt small standing in front of it.
Adrian noticed her hesitation.
He gently held her hand.
"It's okay."
She nodded.
His warmth calmed her slightly.
They entered together.
Employees greeted Adrian respectfully.
"Good morning, Mr. Harrison."
Lina noticed.
His presence here felt different.
Powerful.
Confident.
They reached the top floor.
The secretary led them inside.
Adrian's father sat behind a large desk.
Mr. Harrison.
His sharp eyes immediately focused on Lina.
"So… you're here."
His voice calm but intimidating.
Adrian stepped forward.
"I want my records."
Mr. Harrison leaned back.
"Why now?"
Adrian remained firm.
"I deserve to know."
Mr. Harrison looked at Lina again.
"Because of her?"
Lina felt nervous.
But Adrian answered firmly.
"Because of me."
Silence filled the room.
Mr. Harrison finally sighed.
"Fine."
He opened a drawer.
Pulled out a file.
Placed it on the table.
Adrian stepped forward.
Opened it.
His eyes moved quickly across the pages.
Then—
He froze.
Lina noticed.
"What is it?"
Adrian looked at her slowly.
"The report says…"
His voice lowered.
"I had partial memory loss."
Her heart pounded.
"And…?"
He continued reading.
Then his eyes widened.
"There's another note…"
"What?"
Adrian read quietly.
"Patient showed emotional distress when asked about spouse…"
Lina's chest tightened.
"What does that mean?"
Adrian continued.
"It says… I refused to see you."
Silence fell.
Lina's heart shattered.
"You… refused…?"
Adrian looked shocked.
"I…"
Mr. Harrison spoke calmly.
"You were confused."
Lina's eyes filled slightly.
"Did I… do something wrong?"
Adrian immediately shook his head.
"No."
Mr. Harrison continued.
"You were unstable. The doctor recommended limited contact."
Lina looked down.
Pain filled her chest.
Adrian closed the file.
His mind conflicted.
"So you decided… to keep everything from me?"
Mr. Harrison nodded.
"It was best."
Adrian's voice hardened.
"You made that decision without asking me."
Mr. Harrison remained calm.
"You weren't in a state to decide."
Tension filled the room.
Lina quietly stepped back.
She felt like an outsider.
Like she didn't belong here.
Adrian noticed.
He reached for her hand again.
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head softly.
"It's not your fault."
But her heart still hurt.
Because now—
She realized—
There was a time…
When Adrian didn't want her.
—
Outside the building…
Lina walked quietly.
Adrian followed.
"Lina…"
She stopped.
Her eyes looked distant.
"You really… refused to see me…"
He sighed.
"I don't remember."
"But it still happened."
Her voice trembled slightly.
Adrian stepped closer.
"That was the past."
She looked at him.
"But what if… your feelings come back?"
His heart tightened.
He gently held her shoulders.
"They won't."
"How do you know?"
He looked into her eyes.
"Because I don't want them to."
Silence filled the air.
Her heart softened.
"Okay…"
They stood quietly.
Then suddenly—
A loud screech.
A car rushed toward them.
Fast.
Too fast.
"Lina!"
Adrian pulled her back instantly.
The car sped past them.
Then disappeared.
Their hearts pounded.
Lina's hands trembled.
"That… wasn't an accident…"
Adrian's eyes darkened.
"I know."
Because he saw—
Through the car window—
Emily's cold smile.