Chapter 27 (Author’s POV)
Three Weeks Ago
Raphael had been on his way to Bella's house that morning, his heart pounding with anticipation. He had finally found Amanda after so many years-after so much searching, so much waiting, so many dead ends.
Now, he was going to tell Bella.
He already knew what she would say. Oh, she's so young, Raphael. Oh, are you sure about this? Oh, all that typical elder sister bullshit.
But none of it mattered. He had made up his mind. Amanda was going to be his wife.
As he pulled into Bella's garage, he exhaled, gripping the steering wheel. He rehearsed his words in his head. He was happy-happier than he had been in a long time.
Then, the pain started.
It was sudden and brutal. A sharp, splitting agony shot through his skull, blinding him. His vision blurred. His hands trembled. His chest heaved as he gasped for air.
Then, he fell.
His knees hit the ground. His fingers dug into his scalp as he screamed for help.
But the neighborhood was quiet. No one could hear him.
The pain lasted for what felt like an eternity-two minutes of sheer torment.
And then... it stopped.
Raphael's breathing was ragged. His body trembled as he slowly looked around.
Nothing was familiar.
His brows furrowed. His pulse raced. His throat tightened.
Where am I?
His eyes darted to the house in front of him.
What is this place?
His fingers clenched into fists. He tried to remember how he got here, why he was here, but his mind was blank.
The panic set in.
He reached for his phone with shaky hands, scrolling through his contacts. One name stood out-Michael.
He hit the call button.
"Yo, Raphael, what's up?" Michael's voice was casual, unaware.
Raphael swallowed hard. "I... I think I've been kidnapped."
A pause.
"What? Raphael, what the hell are you talking about?"
"I don't know where I am." His voice was hoarse, desperate. "I don't know how I got here. I don't know what's happening."
"You're using your phone, aren't you? Kidnapped people don't get to make calls, you idiot."
Raphael's grip tightened around his phone. "Michael, I'm serious. I don't know where I am."
Michael sighed, but there was something different in his tone now.
"Switch to video call."
Raphael did as he was told.
The moment Michael saw his surroundings, his face fell. His expression softened with something like pity.
"Shit," Michael whispered.
"What?" Raphael's breathing was unsteady.
Michael took a deep breath. "It's happened again."
"What do you mean?"
"Raphael... you're at your sister's house."
Raphael's brows furrowed deeper. "I have a sister?"
Michael's lips pressed into a thin line. He nodded. "Yes, Raphael. You do."
A ringing filled Raphael's ears.
Michael continued, voice careful. "Her name is Bella. She's your older sister. She... she had an accident years ago. That's why she's in a wheelchair. You came here to see her."
Then-like a dam breaking-flashes of memories poured in.
Bella.
The accident.
Her screams.
Her pain.
His head throbbed again, but not as badly as before.
A tear slipped down his cheek.
Michael's voice was gentler now. "Do you want me to come get you?"
Raphael nodded. He couldn't speak.
He couldn't face Bella like this.
He would come back for his car later.
For now, he sat on the porch, holding his head in his hands, crying quietly.
Again.
Again, he had forgotten.
And yet, somehow, the only person he never forgot... was Michael.
It was almost funny.
Almost.