Chapter 56 #56
Chapter 56
~Shailyn~
I woke up feeling lighter than I had in weeks. The morning sun streamed through the curtains, and I stretched, my hand instinctively moving to my stomach.
"Good morning, little bean," I whispered, smiling.
Dante was already up, probably in his study. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and checked the time. Seven-thirty. Perfect. I had time to get ready for work and maybe grab breakfast with him before we left.
The injection from yesterday had made me incredibly drowsy, but now I felt... hopeful.
I might actually remember.
The thought sent a thrill through me.
I practically bounced to the bathroom, humming as I showered and got dressed. When I made it downstairs, Dante was already at the breakfast table with coffee and toast.
"Someone's in a good mood," he observed, standing to kiss me.
"I'm just excited," I admitted, wrapping my arms around his waist. "About everything. The baby, the treatment, us."
"Me too, baby," he said, his hands settling on my hips. "But remember what Dr. Gerald said. It takes time."
"I know, I know," I said, pulling back to grab some fruit from the counter. "But just knowing it's possible makes everything feel different."
"Good different?"
"Amazingly different," I confirmed, popping a strawberry in my mouth. "Thank you again for setting that up. For caring enough to find a solution."
"Always," he said softly.
We drove to SentientIQ together, his hand finding mine at every red light. When we pulled into the parking garage, I felt that familiar flutter of nervousness about facing another day of stares and whispers.
But today, I decided, I wasn't going to let it bother me.
"See you at lunch?" Dante asked as we walked toward the elevators.
"Definitely," I said, rising on my toes to kiss him. "Love you."
"Love you more."
I watched him head toward the executive floor before making my way to my desk. Hannah was already there, organizing files on her computer.
"Morning, Shay," she said, looking up with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Morning!" I said, probably too enthusiastically. "You won't believe what happened yesterday."
"What?" she asked, her attention fully on me now.
I dropped my bag and pulled my chair closer to hers, lowering my voice even though no one was nearby.
"Dante found this doctor," I said excitedly. "A specialist who treats amnesia patients. Hannah, he thinks he can help me remember."
Her expression shifted, something flickering across her face that I couldn't quite read.
"A doctor?" she repeated carefully. "What kind of treatment?"
"It's this new protocol," I explained. "Medication and cognitive therapy combined. I had my first injection yesterday, and I will go back next week for another one."
"An injection," Hannah said flatly.
"I know it sounds scary, but Dr. Gerald explained everything. It's completely safe, even for the baby." I grabbed her hand. "Hannah, I might actually get my memories back. All of them."
"Shay..." she started, then stopped.
"What?" I prompted.
"Nothing," she said quickly. "That's... that's great. I'm happy for you."
But she didn't look happy. She looked sad. Almost... devastated.
"Hannah, what's wrong?" I asked, concern replacing my excitement.
"Nothing's wrong," she insisted, her smile forced now. "I'm just surprised, that's all. This is big news."
"Good news," I corrected.
"Right. Good news." She turned back to her computer. “But what about the side effect?"
“He said there's none.” I said.
I studied her profile, confused by her reaction. Shouldn't she be excited?
"Hannah…"
"I'm just worried that's all. I don't want any problem to occur.” she said, more composed now.
"Okay, I get it. But don't worry there's nothing.” I said.
“That's great news Shay. Can't wait for you to know everything.” She says with a small smile.
But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
By lunchtime, Dante and I went to the cafeteria together, and as we sat down with our trays, an idea struck me.
"What's the date today?" I asked suddenly.
Dante checked his phone. "November twentieth. Why?"
"Thanksgiving is next week," I said, my excitement returning. "We should celebrate it. As a family."
He looked surprised. "Thanksgiving?"
"Yeah! Why not?" I said, warming to the idea. "Your whole family together, a big dinner, actually giving thanks for things. It would be really nice."
"Shailyn, my family isn't exactly the warm and fuzzy type," Dante said carefully. "Monica and Mother barely tolerate you. Father's still recovering. And Dwayne..." he trailed off.
"So what?" I pressed. "Maybe this could be a fresh start. A chance to actually come together as a family. Plus, I want to start building traditions for our baby. Family traditions."
Something in his expression softened. "You're really set on this, aren't you?"
"I am," I confirmed. "Please? Let me do this. Let me try to make things better."
He sighed, but there was a smile tugging at his lips. "Okay. You can plan Thanksgiving."
"Really?" I practically bounced in my seat.
"Really," he said, reaching across the table to take my hand. "But don't say I didn't warn you when Mother complains about the turkey."
"I can handle Cynthia," I said confidently, probably more confidently than I felt.
That evening, after work, I approached Tyler in his study. He was reviewing some documents, but looked up with a warm smile when I knocked.
"Shailyn, come in. How are you feeling?"
"Good, actually," I said, settling into the chair across from his desk. "Tyler, I wanted to ask you something."
"Of course, dear."
"Would you be okay with me hosting Thanksgiving here? For the whole family?"
His eyebrows rose slightly. "Thanksgiving?"
"I know it might seem random," I said quickly. "But I think it could be good for everyone. A chance to actually sit down together, appreciate what we have. And I want to start building family traditions for the baby."
Tyler's expression gentled at the mention of his future grandchild. "I think that's a lovely idea."
"You do?"
"I do," he confirmed. "This family could use more moments of unity. Even if they're forced," he added with a wry smile.
I laughed. "Thank you, Tyler. I promise to make it special."
"I'm sure you will, dear."
I left his study feeling energized and purposeful. This was good. This was something I could control, something I could make beautiful despite everything else that felt uncertain.
Over the next few days, I threw myself into planning. I researched recipes, made shopping lists, and started coordinating with the manor's staff about the menu and decorations.
The night before Thanksgiving, I was in the kitchen going over final preparations when my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I almost didn't answer. But something made me press accept.
"Hello?"
Heavy breathing. Again.
My hand tightened on the phone. "Who is this?"
The breathing continued for a few more seconds, then a voice, distorted, mechanical, spoke.
"Happy Thanksgiving, Shailyn. Don't be a fool."
The line went dead.
I stood there frozen, my hand shaking, staring at the phone screen.
What did that mean? Don't be a fool?
"Shailyn?"
I spun around to find Dwayne standing in the kitchen doorway, his expression concerned.
"Are you okay?" he asked, moving closer. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I... I just got another weird call," I admitted, my voice shaky.
His jaw tightened. "What did they say?"
"Something about... about how I shouldn't be a fool." I looked up at him. "Dwayne, what does that mean?"
He was quiet for a long moment, his dark eyes searching mine, like he's conflicted on what to say.
"I don't know," he said finally. "But Shailyn, I think you need to be very careful. Something's not right."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean," he said carefully, "maybe you should ask yourself why someone would want to warn you. And what they think you're being fooled about. I'll need you to send the details of the text to me. We need to get to the bottom of this."
Before I could respond, we heard footsteps.
Dante appeared in the doorway, his eyes immediately locking on Dwayne with suspicion.
"What's going on here?" he asked, his voice tight.
"Nothing," I said quickly. "I was just... going over the menu for tomorrow."
"With my brother?" Dante's eyes narrowed.
"He just walked in," I explained.
Dante moved to stand beside me, his hand possessively finding my waist. "Shailyn needs rest. The dinner tomorrow will be exhausting."
"Of course," Dwayne said, but his eyes held mine for a second longer. "Goodnight, Shailyn. Happy Thanksgiving."
"Happy Thanksgiving," I whispered back.
I didn't want to worry Dante now, he's already so much going on.
As Dante led me upstairs, I couldn't shake the feeling that tomorrow was going to change everything.
I just didn't know how.