Chapter 23 Jennifer's Illness
Jenny was silent, looking upset because Gerald had embarrassed her so much today. Jennifer just stirred her food without any intention of eating it. John had brought the food when he delivered their change of clothes.
Meanwhile, Gerald, the man in front of her, was eating heartily, without a care in the world.
'Look at him! This man has no worries at all! What about me? He's embarrassed me! Everyone must be talking about me right now! Where will I hide my face in front of his subordinates later? And why did I have to fall so easily and sleep with him? In the hospital, no less! Oh my God, Jennifer! Wake up! He's someone else's husband! Even if he weren't, he's way out of your league! He's a rich, handsome company owner, a billionaire! Whereas you? Just a single mother! Without status or wealth! You're just his subordinate! His employee! You have no right to dream! Last night was a mistake! And I have to protect myself from repeating the same mistake! Even if he said something yesterday? His wife? But why can't I remember anything? But when I think about it again... his body reminds me of... I feel like I've seen him before! But where? Every time I try to remember, my head hurts!"
Jennifer took a deep breath, sinking deeper into her thoughts. “Did I really get married? But why didn’t Dad and Mum ever mention it? After everything is settled and Alex is better, I should ask Dad and Mum in Chicago! They must know something!”
“Jennifer? Jenny?” What are you thinking about?” Gerald asked, breaking Jennifer’s reverie.
"Do you... Not like the food? Because I've noticed you haven't been eating! Aren't you hungry? After last night..." Gerak smiled again.
"Listen! Stop right there, Mr Williams! Last night was a mistake! And I hope it was the first and last time!" said Jennifer, raising her fork.
Gerald looked displeased. "What do you mean by that, Jenny?"
"I already told you! Don't call me Jenny! My name is Jennifer!" Jennifer said curtly, getting more and more annoyed.
"Ok! Ok! Jennifer! So what did you mean by that?" Gerald asked impatiently.
Jennifer took a breath before speaking to Gerald.
Now they were facing each other, Jennifer trying to restrain herself from getting lost in Gerald's eyes, which would only make her lose consciousness and do something stupid like last night.
"I appreciate Mr Williams' help and concern for me and my child!" Jennifer paused for a moment.
Gerald didn't like what Jennifer said; he knew where this conversation was going. But he held back.
"Then?" Gerald held back his emotions, even though he was impatient.
"Then... It's better if we stop everything here!" Jennifer looked down.
"Look me in the eye when you speak, Jennifer Ross! I want to hear it directly from you while looking into my eyes!" Gerald began to growl.
Jennifer lifted her face, "I want us to keep our relationship professional! Just between boss and subordinate!"
"Is that what you want, Jennifer Ross? Does last night really mean nothing to you? You don't feel anything, our connection? Don't lie! Because I know it's not true!" Gerald stared at Jennifer with flashing eyes.
Jennifer grew increasingly uncomfortable, lowering her head before lifting it again.
"Yes! That's what I want! I don't feel any connection except... except physical attraction! So I hope you..." Jennifer tried to find the right words, but her mind felt blank.
"FINE!" Gerald slammed his cutlery down and stormed out of the room.
Gerald's face tensed, leaving Jennifer behind and slamming the door to his son's treatment room.
'Why is he like that? Why does he have to be so angry? It can't be the first time he's done this, can it? I'm sure there are lots of women around him, right? So losing one ordinary woman like me doesn't matter, does it? Why does seeing his reaction make my heart ache?'
Gerald went down the emergency stairs, took out a cigarette, smoked it, and then threw it away.
Gerald took out his mobile phone and called someone.
"Where are you?"
"Alright! Wait for me at the café not far from this hospital! I need to calm myself down so I don't go crazy and lose my patience!" Gerald then threw away his cigarette butt and stamped on it.
Gerald exited the emergency staircase and walked towards the lift to go down.
Gerald turned when someone called him.
"Alpha Gerald!"
"Doctor Moore? What is it? Is my son okay?" Gerald approached Doctor Moore, who had called him.
Doctor Moore shook his head. "This is not about your child, Alpha Gerald, but... your wife!"
"My wife? Jenny? What's wrong with her?" Gerald began to worry a little, even though they had just argued.
"We'd better talk in my office! Do you have time?" asked Doctor Moore.
"Of course!"
"Follow me, then!" Dr Moore walked to the end of the room and turned left, not far from where his office was located.
Dr Moore opened the door to his office, which contained a white desk, a doctor's uniform, some medical equipment and a computer.
"Please sit down, Alpha Gerald. It looks like we'll be talking for a while," said Dr Moore kindly.
Gerald felt increasingly uncomfortable. "What's wrong with Jenny, Doctor? Don't scare me!"
"Calm down, Alpha Gerald. I'll try to explain it slowly." Dr Moore took something that looked like a scan and placed it on a bright screen.
Dr James Moore finally explained slowly.
"Your wife seems to be experiencing dissociative amnesia, which is a condition where a person loses important memories about themselves or certain events due to severe psychological trauma, not because of physical injury to the brain. So the brain is not physically damaged, but it locks away certain memories to protect itself from too much emotional pain. That's more or less how it is. So if we look at her brain, there is no damage, right? As seen in the CT scan.” Dr. James Moore showed the CT scan results.
“But, Doctor? What triggered it?” Gerald didn’t understand why Jennifer could experience it.
“Many factors, such as having experienced extreme physical or emotional violence, life-threatening events, severe torture, war experiences, childhood trauma, loss, or tragic events.” Dr. Moore replied again.
Gerald seemed to be thinking, ‘Could it be because of that attack? What actually happened to Jenny back then? Did she experience something severe at that time?’
Dr. Moore noticed his patient looking pensive.
“Alpha Gerald? Alpha Gerald?” Dr. James Moore called again.
Gerald didn’t answer. Suddenly…
“CRASH!!”