Ethan stood across from her, his back straight and his face devoid of any emotions.
"Stop whatever you're trying to do," he said flatly. "You'll never stand a chance."
Ashley took a step forward, a look of pleading in her eyes. " Why..? Just tell me what to do…"
"Here is what you can do Ashley, give it up, there is someone in my heart and you could never worm your way into my heart. You could never make me love you."
"I WILL NEVER LOVE YOU" Flashes, more flashes. Then her eyes shot open, but she couldn't jolt up, even though her body so desperately wanted to, as her legs were not in sync with her body at the moment.
Her heart pounded and her mouth felt dry. For a moment the words echoed in her mind- I will never love you- but as she blinked at the familiar ceiling the words slipped away like smoke.
She rubbed her temple. Whatever it was, it was gone. Just another meaningless dream.
"Mrs Walker, you're awake." That was when she saw the face of the worried nurse.
"What… happened," her voice rasped.
"You fainted in Mr Walker's office and he brought you home and you've been out cold till this morning," she said gently. " Don't you remember?"
That was when everything came back to her, this entire thing was a sham, a contract marriage. Talk about drama.
' Wait a damn minute, did she just say this morning!? I went to Ethan's office in the afternoon and I blacked out till the next day!!!'
"I'll get the doctor," she said as she made her way to the door.
Minutes later, the doctor walked in, accompanied by her therapist. The doctor checked her pulse, asked a few questions, then gave her a firm look.
"You're under a lot of physical and emotional stress, Mrs. Walker. That fainting spell was your body forcing you to stop. You need to pace yourself, or you'll only delay your recovery."
He scribbled something on his clipboard that had a paper on it, exchanged a quiet word with the therapist, and left as quickly as he came.
Elisa glanced around the room. Her contractual husband wasn't there. Of course he wasn't. Well he shouldn't he should be at work anyways, after all it was a brand new day and he was a businessman, time is precious to him.
The therapist crouched near her bedside, his tone calm but steady. "You push harder than most patients I see. But you need to be careful. You need balance, not just exertion."
She arched her brow at him but said nothing.
"I'd recommend a few things. You should get an animal for extra support, maybe a dog or cat since those are the most common. And also meditation to help you ground your mind. They ease stress and can help you cope with frustration."
The therapist gives her one last encouraging nod before leaving the room. The nurse lingered fussing with her pillows.
" Where is my husband," she asked.
"Ohh Ma'am, Mr Walker went to work early this morning.
" Well then, let the day begin."
...
The day was sunny when Elisa decided to head to the garden outside.
As the nurse wheeled her inside the garden, her mind went back to the therapist's advice of getting an emotional support animal.
The image of her old companion flashed across her mind, she had a tuxedo cat that was actually a stray before it became hers, it died a few years later. She had a strong liking for cats.
Why not? Why shouldn't she have one again?
Then she made up her mind to get a cat, after all it was recommended by a certified therapist.
She would use the black card Ethan had given her earlier on.
"Let's go shopping," she said suddenly.
The nurse blinked down at her. "Shopping, ma'am?"
"For a cat," Elisa replied smoothly, her voice steady. "I'm getting a cat."
...
The trip into the city had been exhausting, but Elisa returned with something that made every ache worth it: a tiny, ginger and white munchkin cat nestled in a carrier. Its big round eyes blinked up at her, it looked very curious.
By the time evening fell, she was sitting in the living room, the cat curled on her lap. She ran her fingers through its soft fur, a small smile tugging at her lips as the kitten purred and pawed playfully at her hand.
For the first time in days, she felt… lighter.
The front door clicked open. Ethan stepped in, loosening his tie. He stopped in his tracks when his gaze landed on the sight before him. Mrs Walker, seated on the sofa, gently stroking a cat.
The sound of purring filled the quiet room.
Something in him faltered.
He was younger, barely sixteen, wandering the old neighborhood after school. That's when he saw her, a girl crouched by a broken wall, coaxing a scrawny stray cat with a crust of bread. She smiled as the animal crept forward, her eyes alight with kindness. Ethan had paused, caught off guard by how natural and unguarded the moment was.
The present snapped back into focus. Ashley's laughter soft, almost childlike as the kitten batted at her sleeve, overlapped with the memory in a way that made his chest tighten.
What the hell was he thinking, this was Ashley not her.
Ashley detested cats. He remembered too well the day a stray had wandered into their garden. Ashley's shrill cry, the violent kick she delivered, the disgust etched on her face. She had sworn she hated those creatures.
And now here she was, doting on one?
His eyes narrowed.
What was she playing at?
Was she… trying to mimic someone? Trying to act like her?
The thought hit him hard, and he almost laughed at himself. That was impossible. Ashley didn't know her, and she never could.
And yet…
He stood there for a good number of minutes, watching her pet the tiny animal, unable to shake the unsettling overlap of memory and reality. Before he cleared his throat causing her to look at him.
He exhaled slowly, forcing his features back into neutrality.
"Since when do you like cats?" he asked
Elisa deduced that the owner of the body probably didn't like cats from the statement he made.
" Well since now, I'm just trying out new stuff," she shrugged.
Then he nodded at her and made his way up the stairs.
Elisa resumed what she was doing.
" Come on Miso, good girl, come on," she cheered at the cat.
Ethan who was on his way upstairs stopped on his track, a flash of questionable belief going through his eyes.
' There is no way… how could she possibly know that exact name, and for the cat?.'
He resumed walking up the stairs, a wave of anger running through his eyes.
...
Later that evening, the phone in the kitchen rang. Orders were briskly given: dinner for three.
Elisa frowned from her spot on the couch, stroking the kitten's fur. Three? She had fallen asleep on the couch with Miso in her arms, and when she woke up, everyone seemed so busy.
Her question was answered when Ethan descended the stairs, jacket gone, sleeves rolled neatly at his forearms.
" Ezra is dropping by," he said, as if announcing the weather. "He's already close."
Her mind went blank when she heard him before she remembered, she had googled every possible thing she could find about Ethan and knew that his both parents were dead but he had a godfather that took care of him and his name's Ezra.
" Put on your best act."
Before she could reply. The door bell rang.
The door opened, and a wave of warmth swept into the living room with the man who stepped inside. Ezra was tall, broad-shouldered, his dark hair peppered with grey that matched the streaks in his neatly trimmed beard. A faint dimple marked his left cheek when he smiled, and his eyes carried the easy brightness of someone who had spent a lifetime making others comfortable.
Dressed casually in a golf shirt and pressed khakis, he looked every bit the man who lived between boardrooms and golf courses. One arm carried a paper bag brimming with vitamins and supplements, the other balanced a box stacked with neatly wrapped gifts.
" My boy!" Ezra greeted warmly, pulling his godson into a quick embrace. "You look as sharp as ever. Work treating you well?"
Then his gaze fell to Ashley. His smile deepened.
" And Ashley," he said warmly, the kind of voice reserved for family. "It's good to see you again. I believe you'll get better in no time."
He set the gifts down and reached out as though to clasp her hand gently. "I brought some things for you. Thought they might help with recovery."
He was so friendly that Elisa could feel her initial nervousness at meeting him fade away. Ezra was a nice and friendly man, and she could see them getting along well.