Page 103 of The Broken Keys

“Memory gaps are common with head trauma.” He checks her pupils with the penlight. “Can you tell me how old you are?”

“Eighteen.” Her answer comes without hesitation.

My stomach flips. Eighteen. She thinks she’s eighteen when she’s actually twenty-three. Five years just vanished from her mind like they never existed.

Dr. Smith stands and gazes down at Livianna. His eyes flick to me for half a second before returning to her. “And who is this young man holding your hand?”

“Callum Mayze.” A soft smile touches her lips despite the pain she must be feeling. “My boyfriend.”

The declaration slams into my chest with enough force to crack ribs. Boyfriend. She said it so easily, so naturally, as if it’s still true and we never broke up.

Dr. Smith shifts his weight from side to side. “Do you remember what you were doing before the accident?”

“I was going to surprise Callum for his birthday.” Her voice wavers. “But I can’t remember anything after getting to the airport.”

“That’s all right. Your memories may return as you heal.” He tucks the penlight away and checks her IV. “I’m going to order another scan to make sure everything looks good. In the meantime, you need to rest. No stress and no agitation. Understood?”

“Yes. I’m tired, so it shouldn’t be a problem.” She tries to sit up and winces.

“I’ll put in an order for something for your pain.” Dr. Smith turns to me, his expression serious. “Mr. Mazye, can I speak with you outside for a moment?”

My pulse spikes. “Yeah, of course.”

Does he know she’s got the timeline wrong? Does he realize she’s missing five years?

I lean down and press a kiss to Livianna’s forehead, careful to avoid the bandages. “I’ll be right back, love. Just rest, okay?”

“Don’t leave.” Her grip on my hand tightens with surprising strength.

“I’m not going anywhere.” I squeeze back gently. “Just talking to the doctor for a second. I promise.”

She releases me, and I follow Dr. Smith through the curtain. The second we’re on the other side, my gaze finds Jaxon standing near the wall, partially hidden in the shadows.

Every line on his face tells a story of devastation. His jaw is clenched so hard I can see the muscle ticking beneath his beard.

His arms are crossed over his chest like he’s trying to keep himself from tearing through that drape. But it’s his eyes that gut me—dark, hollow, and completely shattered.

He heard everything. Every word, question, and answer that erased him from her memory.

The woman he’s been with just called me her boyfriend.She doesn’t remember falling in love with him. She doesn’t remember carrying his child.

He’s frozen in place, a king brought to his knees by something he can’t fight or control. And for the first time since we saw each other in the emergency room, I don’t see my rival. I see a man watching his entire world collapse while standing three feet away from the woman he loves.

Dr. Smith clears his throat. “We need to discuss Ms. Hemings’ condition.”

He gestures for us to step further into the hallway, away from Livianna’s door. He closes it behind us with a soft click.

“Gentlemen, Ms. Hemings is experiencing what we call retrograde amnesia.” His voice is measured and clinical. “It’s not completely uncommon with severe head trauma like hers. It seems she’s lost approximately five years of memory.”

“How is that possible?” Jaxon’s expression melts into strained agony. “She doesn’t remember anything from the past five years?”

“That appears to be the case based on her responses.” Dr. Smith motions to her room with the wave of his hand. “She believes she’s eighteen and in New Jersey for a birthday celebration. Her last clear memory seems to be from that timeframe.”

“Will she get her memory back?” Jaxon steps closer to the doctor, his desperation seeping through his poised exterior. “How long will this last?”

“I can’t give you definitive answers, Mr. Crowne.” The doctor’s posture softens. “Some patients recover their memories within days or weeks. Others regain them in fragments over months, and some never recover certain periods at all.”

“Never?” Jaxon rubs the side of his neck.