Seventeen
1538 Words
Bradley's P.O.V
I didn't sleep that night. All I wanted was to explain everything to Tessa and beg for her forgiveness. If I could just tell her what really happened on that business trip. I had packed up everything Tessa would need when she wakes up and when she leaves the hospital with the thanks of Julie and Debbie.
"We will be cleaning up and fixing the mess that is going on at the moment. I will be helping Julie on Tessa's work while I make sure that everything is pushed back until further notice," Debbie told me.
"Thank you. Expect a bonus on your next paycheck," I tell her.
"I will," Debbie nodded.
"Is Miss Tessa okay?" Julie asked me.
"She's doing fine now. I will be taking her stuff to the hospital and be staying there until she wakes up," I explain.
"Try not to get into any arguments with her family," Debbie tells me before taking Julie back to the car.
I rushed back over to the hospital before checking in at the front desk. I headed over to Tessa's room where she continued to lie asleep on the bed. I let out a sigh before placing the bag on a table.
"Hey, Tessa. I know you don't want to hear from me right now but I brought you your favorite things," I tell her as I took some things out for her.
I brought out two of her sketchbooks and set them on the table. One of the sketchbooks was her dress and outfit designs while the other was her fun drawings. I have seen her fun drawings multiple times and her drawings have always impressed me. I lied her favorite blanket over her before kissing her forehead.
"I'm so sorry for causing you so much pain. I hope you can hear me out when you wake up," I tell her.
I sat back down on the chair as I stared at her. Despite the scars and bruises on her, she was still the absolute most beautiful woman in my eyes. I wished I had given her the attention she deserved before the guilt.
"Bradley," I looked over to see Sabrina walk inside the room.
"Hello, Sabrina," I greeted.
"How is she?"
"Fine. She hasn't woken up yet," I explained.
"I see you brought some of her stuff," Sabrina said as she looked at the blanket and sketchbooks.
"Thought it would make her feel better when she wakes up," I tell her.
"I really don't like you at the moment. You know that right?"
"I know."
"But I appreciate what you said about Tessa the other night. My parents have controlled her a lot growing up and she deserves to be her own person," Sabrina told me.
"Sabrina, if I can explain everything-" Sabrina quickly interrupted me.
"Oh, I would love to hear it. I want to know what made you think it was okay to cheat on my sister who did everything to keep your reputation high and keep the two of you look good for the media."
"I never cared about the reputation."
"Right. I'm sure you didn't," Sabrina scoffed.
"Sabrina, please. Just let me explain."
I heard the heartbeat monitor go a little faster making the two of us look over. I saw Tessa wide wake but staring at us in shock and fear.
"Tessa?" I asked.
"Tessa. Oh my God," Sabrina said in relief before rushing over to hold her hand.
"What happened? Why am I here?" Tessa asked as she looked around.
"Tessa. How are you feeling?" I asked her as I approached her a little closer.
"Fine. What happened?" Tessa asked.
"I should go get a nurse or a doctor," Sabrina said.
"Isn't he my doctor?" Tessa asked looking up at me. I looked at her confused as well as Sabrina. We both looked at each other before back at Tessa.
"Tessa, do you not know who this is?" Sabrina asked.
"No. He looks familiar though."
"Tessa, I'm your husband, Bradley. Don't you remember me?" I asked.
"I'm married? Since when?" Tessa asked. I could feel my heartbreak into many pieces as I stared at my wife.
"I'm getting a doctor," Sabrina said before rushing out.
"Where are my parents?" Tessa asked.
"They're coming," I tell her. Sabrina came back with a doctor and nurse who approached Tessa.
"Can I have you two wait outside the room please?" The nurse asked.
"Yeah. Of course," Sabrina nodded. I walked out of the room before leaning back against the wall. I ran my hand down my face, trying to process what happened.
This has to be some kind of sick joke. Right? This is some sick joke to get back at me.
"Bradley!" I snapped out of my thoughts to look at Sabrina.
"What?" I asked.
"The doctor would like to speak to us."
"Sorry."
I looked over at the doctor who stood nearby us. The nurse stood next to him.
"Tessa has amnesia and does not remember anything after the age of eighteen. It is unsure whether or not she will regain her memories but I would advise keeping things easy for her in the meantime. Give her some time to adjust and help her jog her memory little by little," the doctor advised.
"When will she be able to be released?" I asked.
"In two days. We just want to make sure she is okay but I would refrain from telling her about her miscarriage in the meantime. Give it a moment for her to process everything."
"Thank you, doctor," Sabrina said.
"Sabrina, you go talk to her first. I need to make a couple of phone calls," I tell her before walking off.
Tessa's P.O.V
I watched as Sabrina walk back inside the room with a sad look on her face. Sabrina walked over to me and sat on the chair.
"What do you remember, Tessa?" Sabrina asked me.
"I'm not sure," I shrugged.
"Mom and dad are on their way over here," Sabrina told me.
"The doctor told me I was in a car accident. Why was I in a car accident?" I asked my sister.
"I'm not sure how to tell you, Tessa. The doctor told us that we need to keep things calm for you but we will tell you. More importantly, your husband who was here will tell you," Sabrina explained.
"How can he be my husband? I don't know him," I tell her.
"You did. But it is not my place to tell you what happened." I paused for a moment to think.
"Was he abusive?" I asked quietly.
"No. He was never abusive to you. God. I remember one time he almost fought someone because the other guy flirted with you. He actually took really good care of you. Made sure you had the perfect house. The perfect life."
"Then why does it feel like it's his fault?"
"Cause it kinda is. But I'll let you two talk about that later. Alone," Sabrina told me.
"I'm kinda getting nervous," I admitted to her. Sabrina gave me a sad look.
"Look, why don't we get your mind off of it. I see Bradley brought some stuff for you from home," Sabrina said as she stood up and walked over to the things on a table next to me.
"Oh look. He brought you both of your sketchbooks. Here." Sabrina handed me a sketchbook that had some drawings in it. Some of it was cartoon characters but some were stuff that looked like it was from a house.
"I hope you still like to draw." My attention went over to the door where Bradley was standing by.
"Yeah. I kinda feel like drawing again," I nodded.
"Your parents are here by the way," Bradley said before moving aside from the door. I watched as my mother and father rushed over to me.
"Tessa, how are you feeling? Do you need anything?" My mother asked.
"I'm fine. You both are crowding me a little," I mentioned.
"Mom. Dad. Give her space. The doctor said she needs to be calm for now," Sabrina warned.
"Screw what the doctor has to say. My baby finally woke up and I will smother her as much as I want to," my mother said.
"Actually, I was hoping I can talk to Bradley alone if that's okay," I said.
"What?! No! I will not let you be alone with that man!" My mother yelled. I flinched a little at the yelling.
"Let me please talk to him alone," I asked.
"Or what?"
"For Christ's sake, Helen! Let her talk to Bradley! We need to let her make her own decisions. If we keep doing this to her, she's gonna be even more helpless," my father told my mother.
"Are you kidding me?"
"No. Let's go," my dad said before walking her out. Sabrina followed behind them before closing the door.
I looked over at Bradley who stood by the end of my bed. I stared at him as he took in a deep breath to prepare himself.
"I know what you are thinking about," Bradley mentioned.
"Do you?"
"Yeah."
"What happened to me? And how was it your fault?"
- Writer
