Chapter 183: I don't remember

Alex's phone buzzed once, twice, and on the third, he picked up.

“Yes, Jason?” Alex’s voice came through, breathless, strained, like he hadn’t slept.

“Are you with Lucas?” Jason cut in immediately, his words tumbling out. “Tell me you’re with him.”

There was a short, dreadful pause before he responded.

“No, Jason,” Alex answered, confusion threading into his tone. Then his voice broke, panic spilling through. “Jason…I’m so scared.”

Jason’s grip tightened around the phone. “What are you talking about? Where is he?”

Alex sucked in a shaky breath, like he was barely holding himself together.

“My Lucas… he…he couldn’t recognize me,” he said, his voice cracking. “He had an accident last night.”

“What?!”

The shout came in unison.

Mr. Westman stiffened. Mrs. Benson gasped loudly. Annie covered her mouth, her eyes widening in horror.

Jason felt his heart slam violently against his ribs. “What do you mean he couldn’t recognize you?” he demanded, his voice rising.

“He looked at me like I was a stranger,” Alex choked. “He asked me who I was… Jason, he asked me who I was!”

A stunned silence swept through the room.

Mr. Benson’s expression darkened, but this time it wasn’t anger. It was a shock.

“Where is he now?” Jason asked, forcing steadiness into his voice.

“In the hospital,” Alex replied immediately. “He has a serious head injury. The doctors are still running tests. They said it’s… It’s bad.”

Mrs. Benson let out a soft cry, clutching her chest again. “Oh my goodness.”

Annie’s tears spilled freely now. “Lucas…”

Mr. Westman staggered back a step, the earlier rage draining from his face, replaced with something far more fragile. His fear was obvious. “My son, accident?” he muttered, almost to himself.

Jason swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. “Which hospital?” he asked.

Alex’s voice trembled on the other end. “Davidson Emergency Hospital. I’ve been there since last night. Just got home to take a shower. Jason, I don’t know what to do. He doesn’t remember me.”

His words cracked completely at the end.

Jason closed his eyes briefly, steadying himself before speaking again. “We’re heading there. Bro, you need to calm down, I believe with time, everything will be alright.”

He ended the call slowly.

For a moment, no one moved.

The weight of the truth settled over them, heavy and suffocating.

He wasn't kidnapped again. He wasn’t even missing. Somehow, it was just as terrifying.

Mr. Westman’s voice came out hoarse. “Take me there.”

Mr. Benson nodded once, already reaching for his keys.

Annie wiped her tears hurriedly, though they kept falling. Mrs. Benson leaned heavily on Jason as they moved.

The house that had been filled with anger moments ago was now drowned in fear and urgency.

And somewhere in the hospital

Lucas lay awake as they moved him from one laboratory to another.

Inside one of the observation rooms, Lucas sat upright on the bed with a faint crease between his brows. A white bandage wrapped around his head, just above his temple. His eyes moved slowly, taking everything in as though the world had shifted overnight.

“Lucas?” Emily’s voice was soft but bright with relief. She stepped closer, careful not to startle him.

“Lucas, Oh my goodness, Lucas.” Emily rushed and hugged him lightly. You're going to be fine.”

Beside her, was Diana. She moved closer as she forced a smile. “You scared us.”

Lucas looked at them, studying their faces. There was a pause, long enough to make both girls hold their breath.

Then he nodded slightly. “Diana, Emily…” he repeated, as if testing the names on his tongue.

Relief flooded Diana instantly. “Thank God,” she whispered, pressing a hand to her chest. “A nurse friend called me this morning. So I had to inform your sister. How are you feeling now?”

Lucas frowned faintly. “I couldn’t remember the accident.”

Emily pulled a chair closer. “Don’t stress yourself. The doctor said you need rest. You will remember things slowly.”

Lucas nodded again, though confusion still lingered in his eyes.   “It all feels… blurry.”

They continued talking, gently filling in gaps, keeping their tone light, anything to keep him calm.

Then the door burst open with urgent footsteps.

Lucas and others turned instinctively.

Mr. Westman rushed in first, his eyes scanning wildly until they landed on his son. “Lucas!”

Something shifted in Lucas’s expression, his recognition was immediate and certain.

“Dad…” he said, his voice steadier than before.

Mr. Westman crossed the room in seconds, gripping his shoulder tightly. “You’re okay. Thank God.” His voice cracked despite himself.

Behind him, Mr. Benson entered with his family. Mrs. Benson, Jason, and Annie close behind, their faces filled with worry.

“Lucas,” Mrs. Benson breathed, stepping forward instinctively.

Jason gave a small, hopeful smile. “Hey, man…”

Annie wiped at her eyes, trying to hold herself together. “We were so scared…”

Lucas’s gaze moved to them but then stopped in confusion.

The room went still.

His brows drew together again, deeper this time. His eyes searched their faces, slowly, and carefully, but there was no flicker of recognition.

“I’m sorry,” he said after a moment, his voice uncertain. “Do I… know you?”

The words landed like a blow.  Annie’s breath hitched sharply. Jason’s smile faltered, confusion replacing it. “Lucas, it’s me. Jason.”

Mrs. Benson’s hand trembled. “And I’m…”

Lucas shook his head slightly, more confused now. “I… I don’t remember.”

Silence swallowed the room whole. Mr. Benson’s jaw tightened, his eyes darting briefly to Mr. Westman, then back to Lucas.

At that moment, the doctor who had been standing quietly near the doorway stepped forward, clipboard in hand. He had been observing every reaction, every hesitation.

“I see,” he said calmly, though his expression was serious. “Mr. Lucas, I’m going to ask you a few questions.”

Lucas nodded slowly.

“Can you tell me your full name?”

“Lucas Westman.”

“Your father’s name?”

He glanced at the man beside him. “George Westman.”

“Good,” the doctor said. “Do you remember what happened last night?”

Lucas hesitated. “I was at Club Unite with my sister at Jessica's birthday. Then suddenly I started feeling dizzy. I blacked out…then nothing. I woke up here.”

The doctor made a note, then looked up again. “Do you recognize these people?” he asked, gesturing toward the Benson family.

Lucas looked again, really looked this time. Yet the result didn’t change except that he focused on Alex’s father. Then muttered, “I've seen him in papers. CEO of Benson’s enterprises…right?”

“Yes, but didn’t you recall talking to me in Benson’s eatery?” Mr. Benson put in.

He shook his head faintly. “No, I’m sorry.”

A quiet sob escaped Annie before she could stop it.

Jason clenched his fists at his sides, trying to stay composed.

The doctor exhaled softly, then turned to the group.

“When was Jessica's birthday, he just talked about?”

“About seven months ago,” Emily responded.

“As I suspected,” he said. “This appears to be a case of partial retrograde amnesia.” The doctor explained.

Lucas’s eyes widened in fear.