Chapter 281
Veronica’s POV
Rolling House
I immediately noticed how angry he was after the letters were read.
He wasn’t confused or distant. He was clearly angry.
“Can you tell me what really happened?” I asked him.
“When did you notice all this p>
He didn’t answer me; instead, he looked disappointed in me.
And that hurt me more than his words could.
I realized, had I read the letter, we wouldn’t have been in the situation we were in.
I felt my heart sink as now I knew he was angry with me.
“Why didn’t you read my letter p>
“I can understand you before, but why not after my accident p>
I couldn’t believe I was struggling to answer.
“Jonathan, I was petrified when you woke up not remembering me p>
“The doctor also said if I forced you to remember me or the memories we shared, it could cause more harm than good p>
“I believed by giving you time to remember on your own was the safest way p>
I saw Jonathan was listening carefully.
But his expression didn’t change.
“I only followed the doctor’s words, as I was afraid you would completely forget about me p>
“I believed you would eventually remember me p>
I exhaled as I realized my caution might have pushed him away from me.
“And while you waited for me to remember, who was beside me p>
I froze as I thought of the name.
“Imelda,” I exhaled.
“She took the chance and made you believe I was your caretaker and told you she was your fiancée p>
“I didn’t interfere, as I believed that would ruin my memory in your mind forever p>
“That’s why I swallowed every insult she made at me and pretended to not be your wife p>
“I now know how much harm I caused, all thanks to my fear p>
“You allowed her to take me,” Jonathan said, cutting my words midway.
“Jonathan, I never wanted her to be close to you p>
“I know, but it happened, didn’t it p>
“I prepared the letter specifically for this reason; in case I forgot about you, you would know what to do next p>
“You had the answer in your hand, yet you chose to not read it p>
“You even allowed Imelda to step over and take me away p>
My eyes welled up as I realized he wasn’t angry with me that I didn’t love him, but that I chose to give him to Imelda in fear of him forgetting me.
“I was scared you’d forget me,” I whispered slowly.
“I admit I was terrified of you seeing me as a stranger forever p>
“I did think of making you remember the times we had p>
“But the thought of you possibly never remembering me was too painful to bear p>
“Do you realize your fear gave what to Imelda p>
I couldn’t answer.
Every day I spent was a day of Imelda posing as his fiancée and possible wife.
I felt crushed at the possibility before me.
“You weren’t protecting me, but the memory of you still lost me p>
“I don’t deny that, but I believed you would remember me one day p>
“I was waiting for a sign that you remember me somehow p>
“I realized if I had read your letter before, you would have been within my reach p>
“Do you hate me now p>
“Hate you?” Jonathan asked, shocked.
“Why would I ever hate you p>
“You should,” I said, as knowing he didn’t hurt me more.
“I can understand you were frightened and understand the consequences if I did totally forget you p>
I looked down as I was totally unable to defend myself.
But I was relieved he wasn’t angry at me.
“Say, I would have totally forgotten about you,” he suddenly asked.
“Would you allow me to marry Imelda p>
I remembered the document I signed so he could marry Imelda without causing a bigamy. My silence answered before I could.
“So, you were willing to allow me to marry Imelda,” Jonathan said, shocked.
I exhaled.
“I believed love would make the right choice, even if that choice would destroy me p>
“So, you would have accepted all of this quietly p>
I could see the anger in his eyes on realizing his wife would have remained quiet.
Today I also realized love isn’t only about sacrificing; it’s about fighting as well.
“If you had read the letter, you wouldn’t be giving me away p>
I broke down as I admitted how I almost lost him.
“The moment you woke up and recognized Imelda and forgot me p>
“The words Imelda told about you forgetting me and remembering her p>
“The times I wanted to tell you about us, but the fear kicked in p>
“The times Imelda posed as your fiancée when I, your wife, was right beside you p>
“Allowing fear to overtake my love for you p>
“Are my faults for believing the doctor over you p>
“I almost lost you to Imelda over my fear p>
“I won’t make any excuses, as I am at fault.” I walked over and sat beside him.
“I should have read your letter the moment I got it p>
“I should have told you about us the moment you woke up p>
“I can’t undo what I did, but I promise this is the last p>
Jonathan looked directly into my eyes.
“I can’t accept your apology so easily, as forgiving you won’t erase the fact, because of our fear, I will be marrying Imelda this Sunday p>
“What??” all of us spoke in unison.
I realized getting Jonathan back on my side was more than just a fight. Now I have to rebuild the trust that I damaged.
“What do you mean by that p>
“Why are you still going to marry p>
Jonathan exhaled.
“For one, as long as I’m alive, I want you to stop fearing losing me p>
“I promise I won’t fear ever again p>
“Now I know you remember me, and even if such a thing happens, I won’t let you forget me p>
But this accident did inflict wounds on our marriage that I could see.
I reached out for his hand, but he didn’t give me his hand immediately.
“Veronica,” Jonathan said as he took hold of her hand.
“Things won’t be easy from hereon p>