No matter how many times I said I hated them, Owen and Luca still came to visit me every day.
Each time, they would talk about strange things. And whenever I felt a little better, Owen would do something completely insane.
For example, in the dead of winter, he and Luca jumped into a swimming pool together, letting themselves freeze to the point of
turning blue and purple without climbing out.
When they finally crawled ashore, Owen looked at me pitifully and asked if I remembered anything.
When I shook my head, disappointment filled his eyes. Still, he said, “It’s okay. I’ll keep trying to help you remember.”
He brought me roses every day, saying that they were my favorite flowers. But I didn’t care. The sight of that bright red color only
made me feel disgusted.
He also brought me an embroidered wedding dress, saying that it was a gift from my mentor. Apparently, I had worn it for him
once before, and he had been completely captivated.
I ran my fingers over the fabric, feeling an inexplicable fondness for it. That very day, I took it and locked it away in a safe.
Owen kept doing pointless things. He told me countless stories about our past, including how we fell in love and had Luca.
Luca clung to me like a shadow, calling me “Mom” repeatedly.
By all logic, I should have been satisfied since these two men were good–looking and treated me with endless patience. But I just
couldn’t bring myself to like them for some reason.
Jerry told me, “Maybe the trauma they caused you was too great. Your body is having a stress response.”
I nodded, half–understanding. For the first time, I wanted to learn about my past. But after all this time, the only ones who had
come to see me were Owen and Luca.
So, I requested to be discharged. I wanted to return home and see it for myself.
