Chapter 19 Let’s See If We Can Fucking Remember Who You Were
“Yes,” Maggie said quickly, forcing a smile. “Just tired.”
"Sorry," he nodded.
“Long hospital stays can cause that,” he added.
Maggie looked back out the window.
“Tired,” she repeated softly to herself.
Her fingers tightened in her lap.
“Everything's gonna be fine,” she whispered under her breath, as the car continued down the road.
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'MOMENTS LATER'
Maggie stared at the dark screen of her phone, her thumb hovering over it without unlocking it.
“….”
She shifted in the back seat, exhaled slowly, then spoke.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yes,” the driver answered, both hands steady on the steering wheel, eyes fixed ahead.
“Do you know my husband?” Maggie asked, her voice careful, almost hesitant.
“My… your husband?” the driver repeated slowly. “You mean the person who booked this ride?”
“Yes,” Maggie replied immediately.
“No,” he said simply. “Not at all.”
“Oh,” Maggie said, the word falling flat. “Okay.”
There was a brief pause.
“Why did you ask?” the driver added, glancing briefly at her reflection in the rearview mirror before returning his eyes to the road.
“Nothing,” Maggie answered quickly.
“Nothing?” the driver echoed, eyebrow lifting. “That usually means something.”
“It doesn’t,” Maggie replied, shifting in her seat. “I just asked. I’m sorry if that was awkward.”
“No, no,” the driver said calmly. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I’m not offended.”
“Okay,” Maggie murmured.
“I was just curious,” he continued. “People don’t usually ask that unless something’s on their mind.”
“There’s nothing on my mind,” Maggie insisted, forcing a small smile. “Really.”
“Alright,” he said lightly. “If you say so.”
She nodded, even though he couldn’t see it.
Another stretch of silence settled in.
“Are you sure you’re fine?” the driver asked gently after a moment.
“I’m fine,” Maggie replied quickly. “I don’t know why everyone keeps asking me that today.”
He chuckled softly.
“Well, you just got discharged from a hospital,” he said. “People tend to care in moments like that.”
“People care about me,” Maggie repeated, almost tasting the words.
She rolled down the window halfway, letting the breeze rush in, her hair lifting and brushing against her cheeks as she leaned her head lightly against the door.
The driver glanced back at her reflection.
“You don’t believe that?”
“I do,” Maggie replied immediately. “I do believe it.”
“Good,” he said. “Because even if you don’t know how much they care, someone definitely does.”
She swallowed, eyes fixed on the passing trees.
“Someone,” she echoed quietly.
Another silence followed, thicker this time, broken only by the sound of tires against the road.
After a long while, the driver slowed down.
“We’re here,” he said.
“We’re here?” Maggie repeated, sitting up straight.
“Yes,” he replied.
She leaned forward slightly, eyes widening as the massive iron gates loomed ahead.
“Are you sure?” she asked, disbelief creeping into her voice. “This… this can’t be right.”
“That’s the address,” the driver said, nodding toward the gate. “Don’t you recognize it?”
Maggie didn’t answer.
The gate began to slide open with a low mechanical hum.
The driver glanced at her again through the mirror.
“You don’t know where you live anymore?” he asked carefully.
Maggie’s lips parted, then pressed together.
“No,” she said quietly.
The car rolled forward, tires crunching softly against the long private road leading deeper into the estate.
“Whats?” the driver murmured. “How's that possible.”
She let out a shaky breath, and whispered. “I lost my memory.”
"Whats?"
"I lost my memories from the accident that put me in the hospital." Maggie repeated, her voice louder. “There was an accident. That’s why I was in the hospital.”
His eyes met hers in the mirror, concern flashing across his face.
“I’m sorry,” he said sincerely. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s fine,” Maggie replied.
The mansion came fully into view, sprawling and imposing, its sheer size stealing the air from her lungs.
The car came to a smooth stop at the driveway.
The driver turned slightly in his seat.
“This is you,” he said softly.
Maggie stared through the windshield.
“This is… mine?” she whispered.
The driver nodded.
“Looks like it.”
She laughed suddenly, a breathless, disbelieving sound.
“I guess we're are fucking rich,” she muttered.
The driver chuckled.
“Looks that way.”
He stepped out and opened the trunk.
Maggie got out slowly, her feet touching the ground like she wasn’t sure it would hold her.
“Let me get those,” he said, lifting her bags.
“Thank you,” Maggie replied, watching him set them down beside her.
He closed the trunk and turned back to her.
“Take care of yourself,” he said gently.
“I will,” Maggie answered. “Thank you… for being patient with me.”
“No problem,” he said with a small smile. “You seem like a strong woman.”
She nodded.
“You too,” she added. “Take care.”
He waved as he got back into the car.
“Bye,” he called.
“Bye,” Maggie replied, lifting her hand.
The car pulled away, the gate opening and closing behind it.
She stood there alone.
She looked at the mansion in awe.
“This is home,” she whispered.
She adjusted her grip on her luggage.
“Alright,” she said under her breath. “Let’s see if we can fucking remember who you were.”