Chapter 12 Love in all shades
Lydia's Point of View
I stared at my phone, the screen blinking with Harridan’s message and Justin’s missed call. My chest tightened, a mix of confusion, curiosity, and… something I couldn’t name. The truth about my parents, my memory, the accident…. I didn’t know what to feel first. And now, these two men, both powerful, both protective, both… complicated. It was a lot, and I felt conflicted.
The soft sunlight streamed through the hospital window as I adjusted myself on the bed. My phone still glowed with missed calls and messages. I had barely decided what to do when a soft knock came at the door.
“Lydia!” Justin’s voice called out first, followed by a more controlled, but equally urgent, tone. “We’re here!”
I frowned. Two sets of familiar footsteps approached, and I realized…they both came. At the same time.
The door opened, and there they were; Justin with that usual smug grin plastered across his face, hands shoved casually in his pockets, and Harridan, composed as ever, his deep eyes scanning the room as if trying to gauge my mood before even stepping inside.
Venus and Saturn, who had been quietly perched on the chairs beside me, exchanged a look of mild disbelief. “Are they… really here at the same time?” Saturn whispered, nudging Venus. Venus simply raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by the unfolding scene.
“Lydia! I-” Justin began, his voice betraying a rare crack of emotion, but Harridan cut in before he could finish.
“Why didn’t you answer my messages? I was fucking worried!” Harridan asked, his voice calm but carrying that weight that made it impossible to ignore.
Justin scoffed, “Messages? I sent dozens of gifts, and I called! You know I was worried! I care more about her than you ever will.”
“You-” Harridan started, pointing a finger at Justin, “Back then, you didn’t even try to check on her properly. I was the only one she liked, so what are you trying to do? Is this a freaking game to you?”
The two of them began arguing quietly, their words a mix of irritation and concern, and I managed to sit up, confused. I couldn’t remember exactly why they cared so much, but the intensity in their voices made it clear.
Venus leaned forward with a grin. “This is… entertaining.”
“I just hope they don’t knock over the IV stand,” Saturn muttered under her breath.
I shook my head and held up a hand. “Stop. Just… stop arguing for a second. You’re both here now, and I’m… well, I’m fine,” I said, trying to mediate between them.
Finally, Justin crossed his arms, looking slightly sheepish. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, Lydia. Work… I didn’t want to bother you, but I should’ve been here.”
Harridan stepped closer, his expression softening. “I also should’ve been here physically, not just in messages. I’m sorry. The reason I kept texting you was to make sure you were alright.”
I blinked. My heart skipped slightly. Despite their argument, their sincerity… it was hard to ignore. “Why are you guys apologizing? I don't even know you that much, so you owe me nothing,” I said, putting aside my revenge plan for a second.
Harridan eyes dropped at my words. “Lydia, I'm your best friend. Look, I brought pictures of our high school parties,” he said, stretching out his hand to give me a case file. I reluctantly collected it and turned to face Justin, wondering if he had brought something similar.
Justin chuckled. “I am surely in those pictures. You might be frowning at me, but I'm there,” he said, and Harridan scoffed at his words.
Part of me wanted to call them both off, tell them I wasn’t ready. But another part, an unreasonably stubborn part, decided to go through the case file.
Just like Justin had said, his face appeared in most of the pictures of Harridan and me, and it looked like he was teasing me in every single one.
“Will you accept my apologies now and start answering my calls? I'm not a stranger, I'm your friend,” Harridan asked with a genuine smile, and Justin looked at him, his lips curled in amusement.
These pictures could have been forged, but since Sister Yanni confirmed it, I didn't bother to verify it. I had no real use for the men. They were just people I woke up to meet, and suspects in my accident and my parents’ deaths. To catch a cunning fox, you must first watch it closely.” A wise man once said, and I couldn't agree more. If I really wanted to know the truth and carry out revenge, I needed to use Harridan and Justin.
“I will try to pick up your calls whenever I'm less busy,” I said to the men, and they smiled broadly.
Venus leaned forward, whispering, “They apologized to her. I… did not expect that.” Saturn nodded, her lips pressed together in admiration.
Harridan, noticing them for the first time, gave a brief nod of acknowledgement. Venus scoffed quietly, muttering, “Of course, they notice me last.” Saturn rolled her eyes but stayed quiet.
The door opened again, and a uniformed doctor entered, clipboard in her hand. She bowed to Justin, because it was his company's hospital after all.
“Miss Lydia, we’ve reviewed your condition. Your amnesia is confirmed, but there’s good news. Outings and visiting familiar places can help stimulate memory recall. Gentle exposure to these places is recommended, with emotional support from friends or family.”
I exhaled shakily. “So… seeing the people I know, going to places I liked…it could help me remember?”
“Yes,” the doctor nodded. “Slowly, step by step. Emotional support is important. Stress should be avoided.”
Justin’s eyes softened as he looked at me. “So… that means I need to make it up to you properly, Lydia. I’ll take you wherever you want, whenever you’re ready.”
Harridan’s gaze followed, steady and unwavering. “That should be my job, I know all the places you liked to go… the spots we shared in high school.”
Venus leaned back in his chair, whispering, “Well, this just got interesting.”
“Don't you think we should be the ones taking her out? We spent years together in college, and her preference may have changed?” Saturn whispered to Venus, after making sure that the men weren't listening.
I didn't know who to pick. I looked at Justin and Harridan, then back at the doctor, hoping she had a better suggestion.