Whispers in the Dark

The room was dimly lit, with only the soft glow of the heart monitor and the distant city lights seeping through the blinds. Drew shifted under the sheets, his forehead damp with sweat and a frown etched on his face. He felt an unexplained ache in his chest.

A name echoed in his mind.

Camilla.

He opened his eyes, his breath hitching. The hospital room felt colder, as if someone had passed through his dreams, leaving a chill in their wake. Disoriented, he turned his head and noticed Tanis curled up in the recliner next to him, pretending to be asleep.

Had he spoken that name aloud?

He rubbed his temples, trying to shake off the remnants of his vivid dreams—the curve of a smile, the sound of laughter, fingers intertwined under the stars. But it all felt distant, like trying to recall a tune from a long-forgotten childhood song.

Camilla.

Tanis stirred.

"Drew?" she whispered, sitting up and stretching. Her silk robe slipped off one shoulder as she reached for his hand. "Are you alright, babe?"

He didn't pull away.

"Yeah," he replied softly. "Just a dream."

"What was it about?"

He paused. "Someone... I don't know. A name. Camilla."

Tanis froze.

"Camilla?" she echoed, her tone neutral. "The woman who visited earlier?"

He nodded slowly. "Yeah. I think I've seen her before. Not here. Somewhere else."

Tanis moved to the edge of the bed, placing her hand on his chest. "Sweetheart, you've been through a lot. Your mind is just recalling old, irrelevant images. You don't know her. She's likely appearing in your thoughts because you're feeling vulnerable."

His jaw tightened. "But I said her name in my sleep. Didn't I?"

She smiled and leaned in to kiss his forehead. "Dreams don't hold meaning. You probably saw her, and your mind is trying to make sense of it. Don't worry. I'm here for you, okay? I've always been here."

Drew gazed at the ceiling, feeling that something was off, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

---

The next morning, Camilla stood outside Leo's modern office building, her breath visible in the cold morning air. She held a folder filled with photos, messages, and old notes—every piece of evidence that her connection with Drew had been genuine. In her other hand, she clutched a ring box.

She wasn't sure why she had brought it along. Perhaps a part of her still held onto the hope for miracles.

Leo greeted her with two cups of coffee and his usual confident smirk. "You look terrible."

"Thanks. Your charm is overwhelming."

He handed her a cup. "Let's go inside. I found something important."

Once in his office, Leo settled into his leather chair and opened his laptop.

"I accessed Drew's security footage," he said nonchalantly.

Camilla stared in disbelief. "You did what?"

"Come on, do you really think I became a billionaire's right-hand man without picking up a few skills?"

He pulled up a video. "This was recorded the night of the accident. Take a look."

The video was grainy, captured by a security camera in the underground parking of Drew's penthouse. Camilla leaned closer, her heart racing.

Drew appeared on screen, looking like he was in a hurry. He was on the phone, his voice barely audible. "...tonight. I can't wait to see you. I have a surprise."

Camilla's breath hitched. "He was speaking to me".

Then another figure entered the scene, Tanis.

She said something, causing Drew to pause. His demeanor changed—tense and annoyed.

They began to argue.

Tanis stepped in front of him as he tried to get to his car. Then—

Camilla gasped.

Tanis grabbed the steering wheel as he opened the door.

"She distracted him," Leo explained. "He didn't notice the oil spill. He slipped just as he was getting in. The impact to his head was severe. It wasn't an accident; it was... too convenient."

Camilla covered her mouth with her hand. "She set him up."

Leo nodded in agreement. "And now she's inserted herself into his recovery."

Camilla opened the folder and laid out the photos displaying parts where they were laughing on the beach, at a masquerade ball, and one polaroid showed her in just his dress shirt in his penthouse.

Leo whistled. "You two were quite the couple."

She blushed. "We were in love."

He reached for the ring box. "Can I?"

She nodded.

He opened it, revealing a diamond that sparkled like a frozen droplet of heaven.

"He chose this himself," she murmured. "It took him three months to design. He wanted it to be perfect."

Leo's expression turned serious. "We need to get him alone. No Tanis. Let him see you and feel something without her getting in the way."

Camilla took a deep breath. "How do we do that?"

He smirked. "Leave that to me."

---

That evening, Drew sat in the rehab garden, his wheelchair next to a bubbling fountain, watching the sun set behind the skyline. The air was filled with the scent of lavender and antiseptic.

Tanis was inside, getting his medication.

Camilla appeared quietly, her silhouette illuminated by the golden light.

He turned, surprised.

"You shouldn't be here," he said instinctively.

She stepped closer. "I couldn't stay away."

His gaze traveled over her. She wore a navy blouse that accentuated her curves, her hair cascading around her shoulders. She looked like someone he should remember.

"I dreamed of you," he blurted out before he could stop himself.

Her heart raced. "What did you see?"

He shook his head. "Nothing specific. Just... warmth. Skin. Laughter. Lips I think I've kissed before."

She knelt in front of him, slowly reaching for his hand. He didn't pull away.

"You once said," she whispered, "that if you ever lost your memory, you'd find me again. Because your soul wouldn't forget me."

His fingers wrapped around hers.

"And now?" he asked.

"Now, I'm here. And I'm not leaving."

Their faces were just inches apart.

Then—

"What the hell is going on here?"

It was Tanis.

She marched towards them, anger radiating from her every move. Grabbing Camilla's arm, she pulled her up forcefully.

"Stay away from him!"

"Don't touch me," Camilla retorted, breaking free. "You deceived him. You manipulated him. But I won't let you erase my existence."

Tanis turned to Drew, tears welling in her eyes. "Honey, she's trying to mess with your mind. She's not stable. The doctors warned—"

"Enough," Drew interrupted firmly. "I need some time. By myself."

Tanis opened her mouth to argue, but his tone made her stop.

She turned and walked away in frustration.

Camilla gazed at him, breathless and hopeful.

"You felt something just now, didn't you?"

He looked at her, torn and curious.

"I'm not sure what I felt," he murmured. "But when you touched me... it felt like home."

That night, while Drew slept, Tanis went through his phone.

She discovered an unsent message draft to Camilla:

I need to see you again. Alone. I think I'm starting to remember.

Her lips twisted in anger.

Then she deleted it all.

The next morning, Drew awoke with a question.

"Where's Camilla?"

And Tanis realized...

She was losing him.