2 - An Enchanted Garden

Mrs Walker nodded, her expression unreadable. ”Yes, Elora, it is crucial for the future of the Walker family legacy."

Elora felt a surge of panic and uncertainty overwhelm her.

“But I don't even remember Cyrus,” she blurted out, her fear palpable.

Mrs Walker's gaze hardened slightly as she gave a dry chuckle that didn't reach her eyes.

“That's irrelevant, my dear, he is your husband whether you remember him or not, plus the family’s legacy comes first.

Cyrus cussed silently beside his mother, his hands balled into fists. Elora and his mother had never had a smooth relationship. The older woman had always treated her daughter-in-law with cold civility.

Elora felt her anxiety hit the roof for the first time since she opened her eyes, because of the intimidating woman before her. She looked at Cyrus with terrified eyes, and he stepped forward to stand beside Elora, his expression conflicted.

“Mom please, my wife needs time to recover. We can talk about this later.”

Mrs Walker's eyes flicked to her son before returning to Elora. "Time is of the essence, Cyrus. We can't afford to delay.”

Elora felt overwhelmed by the weight of expectations and responsibilities she couldn't comprehend.

"I need time," she said firmly, her voice gaining strength. "I need to understand... everything.”

Mrs Walker's expression softened slightly, but there was a hint of impatience in her eyes.

"Take your time, Elora. But remember, decisions need to be made,” she said before turning on her heels and walking out of the room, leaving behind a heavy silence in her wake.

Cyrus slumped into the couch, feeling tired and frustrated with the entire ordeal. He knew his mother was right, but there was also Elora's condition to consider. He rubbed his temples briefly and looked up at her with tired eyes.

“I'm so sorry Elora,” Cyrus said quietly, his voice tinged with regret.

“This must be so overwhelming for you.”

Elora nodded, her mind a whirlwind of confusion and fear. She had woken up just a few hours ago, but she had to deal with having a husband, a dead twin and parents she can't remember. Now she is being pushed into motherhood by her inlaws.

“I don't know what to do,” she confessed feeling lost and hollow.

Cyrus took her hand in his, giving a warm gentle squeeze.” We'll figure it out together, don't stress about it, darling. Everything will be fine, I promise.”

Elora nodded slowly, feeling calm and safe in his reassurance and warmth. She may not have her memories right now, but she was lucky to have Cyrus and her parents.

*****

Elora lay in the unfamiliar bed, tossing and turning uncomfortably, staring up at the canopy above her. Sleep was far from her eyes, it had been so ever since she came back from the hospital. The silence of the room was suffocating, amplifying her sense of disconnection. She closed her eyes, willing sleep to claim her and offer a temporary escape from the chaos of her mind.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and Cyrus entered, his expression tentative. "Can I come in?"

Elora nodded, sitting up as he approached the bed. He sat beside her, his presence both comforting and foreign at the same time.

Cyrus reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle.

"I know this is difficult, Elora. But I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

Tears welled up in Elora's eyes, a mixture of gratitude and frustration overwhelming her.

"I want to remember, Cyrus. I want to feel like this is home."

Cyrus's eyes softened, reflecting the pain she felt. "We'll get there, Elora. It's just going to take time.”

Elora looked up at him, feeling a sense of guilt at requesting a separate bedroom upon coming back to the house. She could remember the look of hurt and disappointment that briefly flashed in his eyes but he had heeded her request. She couldn't bring herself to share a bed with him yet, even if he was her husband.

“I'm sorry about this, the separate bedrooms,” Elora says lowly.

“I'm trying my best, but this is all too much to handle.”

Cyrus stared intently at Elora, he would admit he felt disappointed at her request. He had waited long devastating months to see her beautiful green eyes again. It was a conflicting war between his heart and his head. He flashed her a small smile.

“ I know you are not comfortable sharing a room with me now, and I respect that. I would do anything to make you comfortable Elora.”

Suddenly jumping to his feet, Cyrus held out his hand to her a charming smile on his handsome face.

“Come, I have something to show you. This might help jog your memory.”

“Where…where are we going?” Elora asks hesitantly.

“You’ll see,” he says Elora takes his hand and steps out of bed. He leads her to the garden where a table for two is set, with a bottle of wine set in an ice bucket, rose petals are scattered everywhere on the ground and on the table with a soft glow from a lot of candlelight creating a magical atmosphere. He led her to the table and drew her seat, before sitting down and pouring her a glass of wine and also his own.

“This is beautiful, “ Elora said admiring the enchanting garden.

“This used to be our favorite place to celebrate, you always loved it here,” Cyrus said swirling his drink in his glass.

“We used to stargaze from here, do you remember?” he asks a nostalgic smile on his lips.

Elora shook her head, a pang of guilt tugging at her chest.

“I wish I did, Cyrus.”

He placed his glass on the table and reached for her hand. He pointed out constellations and shared memories of nights spent in conversation under the vast sky.

But for Elora, the stars held no secrets, no echoes of forgotten moments. She looked up, searching for a spark of recognition, but all she saw was an endless void.

Cyrus turned to her, his eyes searching hers. "Do you feel anything, Elora?"

Elora wanted to say yes, to give him the reassurance he sought, but the emptiness within her was suffocating. "I'm sorry, Cyrus. I don't remember any of this."

Cyrus's smile faltered, his gaze filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "It's okay. We'll keep trying.”

“Sir, madam, the madam's parents are here to see her,” a maid informs them.

Elora feels a rush of happiness at the news, aside from Cyrus, her parents also made her feel comfortable.

“Tell them we'll be there shortly,” Cyrus says and the maid disappears into the house.

Elise Weston engulfed her daughter in a hug as soon as she walked into the living room. Elora wrapped her arms around her mother and returned the warm hug fervently.

“My baby girl,” Elise coos holding Elora close to her bosom, she releases her and looks at her all over before leading her to a seat.

“How are you doing my dear?” her father asks watching her tenderly.

“I am doing okay, the pain and dizziness are all gone but I still can't remember anything,” Elora says with a hint of sadness in her low tone.

“It's going to be alright my dear, don't push it so you don't hurt yourself. You have us and you have your husband, you can always make new memories.”

“Your father is right my dear, it might be dangerous to your health if you force yourself too much. The doctor said it too. I don't want to lose you too,” she says on the brink of tears.

Elora didn't want to disobey her parents but she really needed to recover her own memories and past.

“I know you care about me, but I really need to do this for myself too. The feeling of emptiness and the constant blankness is too grueling for me, I have to remember, least I have to try,” Elora says almost at the brink of tears. “Excuse me,” she says rushing out of the room.

“Don't worry, I'll take good care of her,” Cyrus assures the crestfallen couple.

“We'll be leaving for a business trip soon, and we will be away for a few weeks. If it was possible we wouldn't go because we know she needs us but this is important and I know she's in good hands with you,” Trevor says to the young man.

You know I will always take care of her,” Cyrus says shaking hands with Trevor.” Have a safe trip.”

The couple leaves and goes up to Elora's room. He knocks briefly on the door, and enters the room, to see Elora sitting in front of the easel in the corner of the room. Cyrus feels pain tug at his heart seeing the destroyed canvas and wrecked tubes paints and brushes. He draws her up from the seat and seats her down on the bed, kneeling in front of her he takes her hands gently.

Elora blinks when she feels his warm hands and a single tear drops. The dealing of emptiness was ripping her apart. She couldn't even remember how to do the things she could before.

“I was told that I was good at painting. That I was a talented artist but it seems even that has been taken away from me too. I can't even remember how to paint,” Elora says giving way to the tears she has been holding at bay for a long time.

“It's going to be fine, you will remember eventually.” Cyrus says softly.

Elora looks into his eyes searching for assurance in his eyes. Cyrus's breath hitched looking into her enchanting green eyes and no other woman was more beautiful. His gaze drops to her soft pink lips and he finds himself leaning in slowly. Elora is frozen as Cyrus slowly leans into her, but she is jolted back to her senses when his lips slightly graze hers. She shrinks back in shock, pulling her hands away from his grasp.