The Temporary Boyfriend

Chapter 68: Amnesia

"It appears to be temporary," the doctor reassured him, placing a steadying hand on Julian’s shoulder. "Right now, your brain is protecting itself. You might find that the last few weeks, or even the last months, are a complete blank. You may also struggle to form new memories for a short while."

​"How long?" Eleanor asked.

​"It depends on the swelling," Dr. Moretti said. "As the fluid drains and the pressure subsides, the ’fog’ should lift. It could be as short as twenty-four hours, or it could take a month or even a year. We need to keep you in a low-stress environment. No work, no excitement. We need to let your brain rest so that the memories have a path to return."

After the doctor left, the door opened and Catalina rushed in, her face full of concern. She didn’t wait for an invitation; she went straight to the bed to hug him, her perfume clashing with the sterile hospital air.

​"My love!" she cried, reaching for him. "I was so worried. You are finally awake. I thought I’d lost you."

​Julian winced as the movement jarred his aching head. He didn’t wrap his arms around her. Instead, he placed his hands on her shoulders and shoved her back slightly, his expression one of pure confusion.

​"Um... Catalina?" he muttered, blinking at her. "What are you doing here?"

​Catalina had heard what the doctor said, and she saw an opportunity. She leaned in closer.

"My love, don’t you remember? We were planning our wedding... then you had the accident. I’ve been by your side every second."

​She glanced quickly at Eleanor. It was a bold and dangerous lie. They hadn’t been planning a wedding — they were barely speaking — but she knew Julian’s memory was a blank slate, so she decided to fill it in.

Eleanor caught the look but the older woman remained silent, her face neither confirming nor denying the lie.

​Julian’s brows furrowed. He looked at Catalina as if she were a total stranger who had just claimed to be his soulmate.

​"Wedding?" Julian repeated, his voice cold and rising with irritation. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t remember any wedding."

​He looked past her to his mother.

​"Mother, send this woman out of my room," he demanded. "My head is killing me and I don’t want her here."

​Catalina recoiled as if he had slapped her.

"Alright Catalina, let’s go. You can see him later," Eleanor said calmly.

​"But Eleanor..." Catalina started to protest, her lower lip trembling.

She looked back at Julian, hoping for a change of heart, but he had already turned his face toward the window, ignoring her completely.

​The older woman glared at her, her eyes narrowing with a silent warning.

​Catalina swallowed her words and quickly got up like a spoiled child who had just been scolded. She snatched her designer bag from the chair, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and fury.

Without another word, she hurried out of the room.

​"Catalina," Eleanor said, following her outside.

She stopped mid-stride, her hand still gripping the strap of her bag. She didn’t turn around immediately. She took a breath, trying to smooth her expression back into one of a grieving fiancée.

​Eleanor stepped closer, her eyes fixed on Catalina’s. There was no warmth in the older woman’s gaze. Eleanor knew exactly what kind of game Catalina was playing. And she didn’t like it.

​"He may be confused about the past," Eleanor whispered, leaning in so the nurses at the station wouldn’t hear. "But his instincts are still perfectly sharp. He knows when he is being fooled."

​Catalina’s smile vanished. "I am not a stranger. I am the woman who will be marrying him."

​"You are the woman who is taking advantage of a brain injury," Eleanor countered. She tilted her head, her gaze piercing hers. "I stayed silent in there because I want my son to remain calm. But do not mistake my silence for permission. If you lie to him again, I will personally escort you out of this hospital and out of his life."

Catalina stiffened, her fingers digging into the leather of her handbag. "You promised he was going to marry me," she hissed, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and entitlement. "You said I was the right choice for him. For the family."

​Eleanor looked at her with a tired but sharp gaze. "And I will still stand by that promise, Catalina. I still believe you are the partner he needs for the life he leads. But I will not have you winning him through lies and manipulation. If he marries you, it must be because he chose you, not because you tricked him."

Catalina let out a frustrated breath. "You are absolutely right Eleanor, and am sorry. There is no excuse."

Eleanor’s expression softened slightly, but her eyes remained sharp. "It’s alright. Just trust that I will make sure you become my daughter-in-law. But... by the right way. Now, go. Julian will be brought to the estate by nightfall. You can see him there."

Catalina nodded and left, her heels clicking on the hospital floor.

Eleanor watched her go, her eyes following her until she disappeared around the corner. Only then did she turn and walk back into Julian’s room. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

"Why would I ever plan to marry someone like that, Mother?" Julian asked. "What is she even doing here."

"Um... well your father has set up an arranged marriage between you two."

"What?"

"Before you say anything, look I think Catalina is an amazing person and from a good and powerful family. She will make a good wife."

"Clearly you don’t know her. Someone like that, cannot be a good wife to anybody."

"What do you mean by someone like that?"

"She is a murderer mother."

Eleanor’s eyes widened.

"Julian, what are you saying?" she asked frowning.

"She is a murderer," he repeated. "And father knows. So why would he set me up with her."

His mother’s face had gone pale.

Julian opened his eyes, and he was back in the quiet bedroom at his penthouse.