Chapter 21 - Lost Memories

Michelle was returned to her ward, likely awakened by Chengdong's frantic movements and shouts that night.

**Michelle's Ward - 10:00 PM**

Jia Le had remained steadfast by Michelle's side, never leaving her. As he held her hand, he eventually drifted off to sleep. Suddenly, Michelle's hand stirred, waking Jia Le.

"Michelle! Are you awake?" he asked, filled with anxiety.

"Where am I? My face hurts! Who am I? Why is it so dark?" Michelle responded, panic evident in her voice.

"I'll turn on the light; there's no need to be afraid," Jia Le reassured her.

"Doctor! What happened to me? My face feels so hot!" Michelle inquired, her worry escalating.

Jia Le brought a mirror to her. Upon seeing her reflection, Michelle gasped and threw the mirror to the ground in terror. "What happened to me? I don't want to live anymore!" she cried out in distress.

Jia Le embraced her tightly, trying to soothe her. "Michelle, please calm down. I'm your husband. You were in a car accident while coming to visit me. You've been unconscious for three days and woke up today. This is all my fault," he said, tears streaming down his face.

Michelle pushed him away, disbelief etched on her features. "I don't believe you! I'm scared!" she exclaimed.

In response, Jia Le activated the emergency light, prompting Scott to enter and administer a sedative, which helped Michelle settle down.

"Perhaps you should go back to the office and get some rest; you've hardly slept," Scott suggested.

"I'd rather stay here. I'm worried about Michelle," Jia Le replied.

"Jia Le, you're not confusing Michelle with Xue'er, are you? That would be unfair to both of you," Scott remarked.

"Initially, I did see her as Xue'er, but as I spent more time with her, I recognized Michelle as the cheerful and brave woman she is. I had feelings for her even before she married Chengdong," Jia Le confessed.

"I could tell you had feelings for her back then. Did you become a doctor for her?" Scott asked.

"Mainly for Chengdong. We've been friends for many years, and I wanted to help him. He worked so hard for nearly a decade, and it's tragic that it ended this way," Jia Le replied, his voice heavy with sadness.

"Fate can be cruel. I've seen many cancer patients who relapse in the second stage; only two out of ten survive. Many stories end in tragedy. But Chengdong fulfilled his wishes and passed without regrets. Unfortunately, he loved Michelle deeply and wanted her to be with him until the end. He never anticipated such a tragic outcome. If I were in Chengdong's shoes, I wouldn't have the courage to let my partner witness my demise," Scott said, his tone somber.

"Is it selfish to hurt your significant other? That's just avoiding reality!" Jia Le retorted, anger rising in him.

"Don't blame Chengdong. He's been through a lot himself. He hasn't woken since he attempted suicide," Scott explained.

"What!? He's still not awake?" Jia Le exclaimed in disbelief.

"It's been a day. If this continues, we may have to administer medication to prevent further harm," Scott replied.

Suddenly, a nurse knocked urgently on Michelle's ward door.

"What's wrong?" Scott inquired, concerned.

"It's bad! Mr. Song is vomiting blood while in a coma!" the nurse reported anxiously.

Scott and Jia Le rushed to Chengdong's ward.

"Quick! Administer the medication!" Jia Le shouted.

"Get him into the operating room," Scott ordered.

**Three Hours Later**

Jia Le emerged from the operating room, visibly shaken.

"How is Chengdong?" Mrs. Song asked, anxiety etched on her face.

"His liver has failed. We hope he wakes soon; otherwise, we'll need to start medication. His condition is deteriorating rapidly, and I'm afraid he has only two months left to live," Jia Le answered gravely.

"Alas, that's enough. The longer he lives, the more sorrow we will endure," Mr. Song lamented.

**The Next Morning - 9:00 AM in Michelle's Ward**

"Are we being discharged today?" Michelle asked.

"Yes, once we're discharged, we'll head home to pack for our trip to Japan," Jia Le replied.

"Jia Le, are you really my husband? What about my family?" Michelle questioned.

"They're in Singapore. You're Singaporean, a screenwriter and actress in Hong Kong. I used to be a star, but I became a doctor a year ago," Jia Le explained.

Michelle pushed him away, her sadness palpable. "But with my current state, do you still want me?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"You are my wife; of course, I want you," Jia Le assured her.

Michelle embraced him tightly, and together they left the ward, heading towards the reception desk.

"Michelle, wait here while I complete the discharge paperwork," Jia Le instructed.

Michelle nodded and wandered toward the cancer department in a daze. By chance, she found herself outside Chengdong's ward, peering through the small window. She saw him connected to multiple tubes.

"Why does he look familiar? He seems so unfortunate, with all those tubes," Michelle murmured to herself.

Just then, Scott exited Chengdong's ward and noticed Michelle looking in.

"Ms. Chen, what brings you here? Where is your husband, Jia Le?" Scott asked.

"I... I stumbled here accidentally. Who is that young man? He looks so pitiful with all those tubes," Michelle replied.

"He's a terminal cancer patient. Let's not dwell on this; I'll take you to find your husband," Scott said, guiding her back to the reception desk.

As they walked, Scott pondered, "Could it be that Michelle hasn't lost her memory? Why would she wander to Chengdong's ward?"

Jia Le spotted them returning. "Jia Le! I found your wife. She got lost for a moment," Scott said.

"Thank you. We'll be leaving now," Jia Le responded.

Scott returned to his office, where he saw Mrs. Song waiting outside.

"Mrs. Song, why are you waiting for me?" Scott asked.

"Regarding my son's condition, my husband and I have decided to sign an agreement for injection treatment for Chengdong," Mrs. Song explained.

"However, it's inappropriate to proceed without the patient's consent," Scott cautioned.

"We are his parents; we should have the right," Mrs. Song countered.

"Wife, is this really in our son's best interest? He's already in the terminal stage, and the injection treatment would be extremely taxing. It's better to allow him to pass with dignity," Mr. Song suggested.

"But I can't bear to see him suffer so much," Mrs. Song replied, tears streaming down her face.

Scott produced the agreement. "You should help him sign it," he advised.

**At Jia Le's Mid-Levels Villa - 10:30 AM**

Jia Le opened the door, and Michelle noticed their wedding photo adorning the wall.

"Is this me?" she asked, astonished.

"Yes. Now, let's head upstairs to collect your luggage. I'll assist you; be careful," Jia Le replied.

**Inside Michelle's Room**

"Let's gather your belongings. Our flight is at 6 PM, so we have time. You can sit and look at the photos," Jia Le suggested.

"So we really were actors before," Michelle remarked.

"Yes, we met while filming the movie for which you wrote the script," Jia Le noted.

Jia Le embraced Michelle tightly. "Don't worry. We'll go to Japan for treatment, and everything will turn out fine. I regret not taking better care of you," he consoled her.

"By the way, I heard from a nurse that I was in a car accident with a boy. How is he?" Michelle asked.

"He's a cancer patient here. He's paralyzed on one side and his condition is critical," Jia Le replied.

"I wonder if he's the man I saw earlier," Michelle whispered to herself.

"What was that?" Jia Le asked.

"Nothing," Michelle replied.

**- End -**