Chapter 45: I fight for what I love

t was a hectic day, and we couldn't find a moment to relax. As the family gathered around, Aaron's aunt Daphne made an unexpected offer: a job opportunity as a private nurse for her neighbor's child. It seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to break the monotony, but Aaron didn't share the same enthusiasm. He insisted we discuss it further, and I felt frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Who did he think he was, trying to interfere in my decisions? This was my choice, and if he expected me to be a traditional housewife, he had another thing coming.

"Can't she make her own decisions?" Daphne intervened, sensing the tension.

"We understand each other better now, and we'll make this decision together," Aaron responded calmly. "You'll hear from her."

I could have exploded with anger right then and there. We weren't even married yet, and I felt like I was being treated like a puppet, my autonomy stripped away.

v"Aunt Daphne, please excuse us," I said firmly, taking Aaron's hand and leading him upstairs. Once we were alone, I couldn't contain my frustration any longer.

"Are you mad? Have you lost your mind, or is there something I'm missing?" I demanded, my voice tinged with exasperation.

"What do you mean, Valencia?" Aaron replied, clearly taken aback by my intensity. "I thought we wanted a family. You don't need all these distractions right now."

"What do you mean, distractions?" I shot back. "First of all, I said we'll think about it. Second, even if I become a mother, I'm still capable of pursuing my career. I'm a modern mom, not a housewife, and I have no intention of becoming one."

"Okay, my love, I'm so sorry. I misunderstood this, but please, at least for yourself, consider your decision first," Aaron said calmly.

"Thank you, I will," I replied, feeling a sense of relief that we could have a rational conversation about the matter. "And I'm sorry if I overstepped your boundaries. That was really not my intention. You know I support every decision you make," Aaron added.

"I know," I said, feeling reassured by his understanding. "Let's go back downstairs and celebrate with the others."

"Yes, let's go," Aaron agreed, and together we made our way back downstairs, ready to join the family gathering once again.

Later that day, Tianna approached me and inquired, "How are you doing, dear?"

"I'm doing fine," I responded.

"Well, good. I really miss having you around from time to time," she expressed.

"Yes, I know. I've been occupied playing mediator between Aaron and your mother, striving to comprehend both perspectives. I'm relieved they are returning to normalcy. However, the drama has been exceedingly draining. I found myself feeling depleted most of the time, longing for the relaxation of our Jamaican vacation until Aaron's behavior irked me again," I confided.

"Well, aren't you a sweet girl. They are not even your family, and you haven't known them for a long time. Just curious. Why would you exert that effort to maintain peace among them?" Tianna queried.

"First of all, you are my family. I'm soon to marry Aaron. The manner in which I've been welcomed into this household since my arrival has been exceptionally warm. From the outset, I've felt a sense of responsibility towards all of you. Those who know me understand my unwavering dedication to my loved ones. Family transcends blood ties. Embrace that notion," I asserted firmly.

"To be honest, I'm glad I've lost my memory. This all seems so exhausting, and even though I'm family, I wouldn't want to be a part of this," Tianna admitted.

I chuckled at her remark. "For a brief moment, I thought Tianna, the old one, was back. This is exactly how you would've reacted," I remarked.

Tianna smiled. "Guess I didn't change after all," she said.

"Tianna, I've searched for you all over the place. Why didn't you tell me where you were?" the nurse interrupted us.

"I didn't tell you because I didn't realize I was on parole," Tianna retorted sarcastically.

"Listen, I don't care whether you like it or not, you have to be careful, and I have to make sure you're okay. Every little thing can exacerbate your memory loss until you're unable to regain your memory ever again. I don't think you want that. I want you to handle the trauma as well as possible and to find the fastest way to regain your memory," the nurse explained.

"Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you've failed. Months have passed by, and I still haven't regained my memory, so you might as well step up your game," Tianna retorted.

"Tianna, calm down. Just sit down for a bit," I urged gently.

"Can we have a moment?" I asked the nurse, who was still standing there as if she didn't realize this was a private matter.

"But I can't leave her," the nurse insisted.

"Get the hell out of this place right now, or we're going to have a problem!" I yelled. Reluctantly, she left.

"This is really concerning. That's the most stupid rule I've ever heard. Traumatized people need to spend more time with their family, so I don't know what she's talking about. The reviews on Google were good, so maybe her method will work eventually, but for now, Tianna is hurt, and I won't allow that to happen," I said firmly.

"Titi," I said softly, trying to comfort her as she looked up, still in tears.

"I'm so sorry about this. I know how you feel—feeling lost, not even knowing who you are, and that is so stressful. I love you with all of my heart. I want you to recover, but I also want you to be patient and kind to yourself. For your own sake, please try to work together," I expressed sincerely.

She nodded in understanding. "I'm sorry, I just had to let this out. She is draining me, all day, every day. The colors, the music—nothing seems happy about it. I can't do this," she confided, her frustration evident.