Chapter 30
The steady beep of machines filled the hospital room, a rhythmic reminder of life lingering in fragile balance. Kael’s eyelids fluttered, his chest rising with a sharp intake of breath. Slowly, he opened his eyes, squinting at the harsh fluorescent light above. His mind was foggy, heavy, like trying to peer through a misty window.
He tried to lift his hand, but the weight of weakness held it down. Turning his head, he saw Kaela sitting in a chair beside him, her face pale, her hands clasped tightly together. When their eyes met, her jaw dropped, and tears sprang to her eyes.
“Kael?” she whispered, leaning forward. “You’re awake?”
He blinked, struggling to focus on her face. “Where… am I?” His voice was a rasp, the words scratching his dry throat.
“You’re in the hospital,” she said softly, brushing her tears away. “You’ve been in a coma for weeks.”
He frowned, his brow creasing as he tried to recall. “A coma? I… I don’t…” His words trailed off as he searched his fragmented memory, but it was like chasing shadows.
“It’s okay,” Kaela said quickly, sensing his confusion. “You’re safe now. That’s what matters.”
Kael’s eyes darted around the room before landing back on her. “Zorina,” he murmured, the name falling from his lips as if by instinct.
Kaela froze. “What?”
“Zorina,” he repeated, his tone more urgent now. “Where is Zorina? My wife?”
Kaela’s heart sank. Of all the things he could remember, it had to be this. She hesitated, unsure of how to respond. “Kael,” she began cautiously, “what do you remember?”
He closed his eyes, trying to piece together the fragments in his mind. Slowly, one memory rose to the surface—a vivid image of a grand hall, soft music playing, the rustle of silk as a woman in a veil stood beside him.
“Our wedding,” he said quietly, opening his eyes. “I remember our wedding. She was beautiful… so nervous.” His gaze turned to Kaela, his expression pleading. “Where is she?”
Kaela bit her lip, her thoughts racing. How could she explain everything? How could she tell him that Zorina, now Celestina, wasn’t his wife anymore? That she had moved on, far away from the life he had known?
“Kael,” she said gently, “you’ve been in a coma for a long time. A lot has changed since then.”
His brow furrowed, his frustration mounting. “What are you talking about? Where is Zorina? Why isn’t she here?”
“She… she’s not here,” Kaela said hesitantly.
“Why not?” Kael demanded, his voice rising despite his weakened state.
Kaela’s hesitation only fueled his agitation. “You don’t understand,” she said, her voice trembling. “Things didn’t go the way you think. You… you weren’t close to her.”
Kael’s face fell, confusion mingling with frustration. “What do you mean? She’s my wife.”
Kaela sighed, struggling to find the right words. “Yes, but your marriage wasn’t what you remember. You didn’t love her, Kael. You barely spoke to her.”
Kael shook his head, the pieces of his memory refusing to align with her words. “That doesn’t matter,” he said stubbornly. “She’s my wife. I need to see her.”
“Kael, listen to me,” Kaela said firmly, leaning forward. “Zorina—Celestina—she’s not in your life anymore. She’s… she’s moved on.”
The name “Celestina” struck him like a foreign word, unfamiliar yet tinged with familiarity. “Moved on?” he echoed, his voice hollow. “What does that mean?”
Kaela hesitated again, hating the pain she was about to inflict. “She’s not here, Kael. After… after everything that happened, she left. She has a new life now.”
Kael’s chest tightened. “She left me?”
“It’s more complicated than that,” Kaela said softly. “Your marriage wasn’t… happy. She had every reason to start over.”
The words hit him harder than he expected. He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. The memories of their wedding, the way her hand had trembled in his, the nervous smile she had given him—it all felt so vivid, so real.
Yet, the reality Kaela described was a stark contrast, one that made his heart ache in ways he didn’t understand.
“Where is she?” he asked finally, his voice quieter now, tinged with desperation.
Kaela sighed. “She’s far away, Kael. She’s safe. That’s all you need to know.”
