The sting of his casual remark shattered any illusion I had tried to maintain. The truth behind his words cut deeply, unraveling the facade I had desperately clung to.
Odessa had always been a masterful actress. If the doctor hadn’t walked in, her performance would have gone unnoticed. For five years, she had kept our relationship a closely guarded secret. Every time I suggested we go public, she would artfully dodge the conversation with excuses—claims about timing, her career, or some other convenient reason. Each excuse chipped away at my confidence, leaving me to compromise again and again. Eventually, I questioned what I truly meant to her, even in my dreams.
Now, I had my answer. When she thought I’d lost my memory, she revealed her true feelings. To her, I was just a neighbor.
Thankfully, my injuries from the fall weren’t severe, and after three days of observation, the doctor discharged me. The hospital refunded the extra payments Odessa had made, and without hesitation, I transferred the amount back to her account.
Three days of silence passed before she finally called.