August 1, 2021
Olivia Glasgow had never felt so humiliated in her entire life.
The events of her birthday party kept replaying in her mind, each memory fueling the anger and resentment that had been building inside her since Robert Moore had ignored.
It was supposed to be a perfect evening.
Her birthday party had been carefully planned to impress everyone, from the decorations to the expensive champagne and the carefully selected guest list. She had wanted everything to be flawless, especially because Robert was expected to attend.
She had imagined him standing beside her, showering her with attention while everyone admired them together. She had even entertained the possibility that he might finally look at her differently and realize that she was the woman who truly belonged by his side.
But everything had gone wrong.
First, Charlotte and Sid had delivered their message and left.
Then Shawn had followed them, abandoning her.
And Robert?
Robert hadn't even attended the party.
He wasn't interested in her.
The words had cut deeper than Olivia wanted to admit. Robert hadn't bothered to tell her himself. He had simply sent his siblings in his place, as though rejecting her were an insignificant task he couldn't be bothered to handle personally.
She had stood there while Charlotte repeated Robert's message and Sid remained silent beside her.
Robert didn't want her.
He had never wanted her.
And now, after all this time, she had discovered the reason.
He was married.
Worse still, he was still desperately in love with his wife.
Alexa Watson.
Even the name made Olivia's blood boil.
Who was this woman, anyway?
What was so special about her that Robert Moore, a man who rarely allowed anyone to interfere with his decisions, had spent years searching for her?
Olivia had known Robert for a long time. She had watched him build his business empire, admired his intelligence, and convinced herself that she was the perfect woman to stand beside him.
Yet, despite everything she had done to get his attention, he had never looked at her the way she wanted.
And now she understood why.
He had never been available to her.
His heart had always belonged to someone else.
The party had ended around midnight, but Olivia had refused to go home. She couldn't bear the thought of sitting alone in her room with nothing but her bitter thoughts for company.
Instead, she had come to one of the hottest clubs in New York.
The music was loud enough to shake the floor, and colorful lights flashed across the crowded dance floor. People laughed, danced, and drank as though the world had no problems.
Olivia sat at the bar, staring into the glass in her hand.
She had been drinking for some time, but the alcohol had done little to ease her anger.
If anything, it had made her thoughts more reckless.
She took another sip.
"Why her?" she muttered bitterly.
Why did Robert have to love Alexa?
Why couldn't he see that Olivia was the one who had always been there?
She had money, beauty, influence, and the kind of social standing that would make her a suitable partner for a man like Robert. She understood his world, knew how to conduct herself in important gatherings, and could stand beside him without feeling intimidated by his success.
What did Alexa have that she didn't?
A history with him?
Children?
A marriage certificate?
Olivia's fingers tightened around her glass.
She hated the fact that Alexa possessed everything she had ever wanted.
And now that she knew Robert's wife was alive, she couldn't simply sit back and watch her return to his life.
If Alexa came back, Robert would never look at Olivia again.
He would return to his wife, devote himself to their children, and forget that Olivia had ever existed.
She couldn't allow that to happen.
No.
There had to be a way to remove Alexa from the picture permanently.
Olivia lowered her glass and stared at her reflection in the mirror behind the bar.
"Don't worry, Alexa Watson," she whispered. "You may have won his heart, but that doesn't mean you'll keep him."
She was still contemplating her next move when her phone vibrated.
A message had arrived from the maid she had secretly planted in Robert's household.
Olivia immediately opened it.
The message contained the information she had been waiting for.
Alexa Watson.
Her real name.
The woman Robert had been searching for was indeed his missing wife.
Olivia read the message several times, making sure she hadn't misunderstood anything.
Then she smiled.
It wasn't a happy smile.
It was the slow, calculating smile of someone who had just discovered a possible solution to a problem that had been troubling her for years.
"Alexa Watson," she repeated softly.
Now she had a name.
And with that name, she could begin finding a way to stop Robert from reuniting with his wife.
She was about to order another drink when a man's voice caught her attention.
He was standing a short distance away, speaking on the phone. His voice was low, but the name he mentioned made Olivia stop moving.
"Have you found Alexa Watson yet?"
Olivia's fingers froze around her glass.
The man continued speaking.
"Robert Moore is looking for her too. I need to know where she is before he gets to her."
Olivia slowly turned her head.
Who was this man?
And why was he looking for Alexa?
She listened carefully, trying not to make her interest obvious.
"I don't care how long it takes," the man continued impatiently. "Just find her. I want to know where she is."
He ended the call and slipped his phone into his pocket.
Olivia stared at him.
A stranger who was searching for Alexa Watson?
Perhaps this was exactly the opportunity she had been waiting for.
She picked up her glass, took one final sip, and stood.
Straightening her dress, she walked toward the man with a confident smile.
"Hello."
The man turned to look at her.
His expression was guarded.
"Can I help you?"
Olivia extended her hand.
"My name is Olivia Glasgow."
He glanced at her hand before shaking it briefly.
"Nick Brown."
"Nice to meet you, Nick."
"Likewise."
Olivia tilted her head slightly.
"I couldn't help overhearing your conversation. You mentioned Robert Moore and Alexa Watson."
Nick's expression changed almost immediately.
His eyes narrowed.
"And what business do you have with them?"
Olivia wasn't surprised by his reaction. If anything, it confirmed that she had found the right person to approach.
"Let's just say that Robert Moore and I know each other."
"That doesn't explain why you're asking about Alexa."
Olivia smiled.
"You're right. It doesn't."
She leaned a little closer, lowering her voice so that the people around them wouldn't hear their conversation.
"But I have a feeling that we might be able to help each other."
Nick studied her carefully.
He had no reason to trust this woman. She had appeared out of nowhere, claiming to know Robert Moore and offering to discuss a woman he had been searching for.
It could have been a trap.
Still, something about her confidence suggested that she knew more than she was saying.
"What exactly are you proposing?" he asked.
Olivia glanced around the club before returning her attention to him.
"First, tell me something. Who are you to Alexa Watson?"
Nick's expression hardened.
"Why do you want to know?"
"Because I need to understand why you're looking for her."
For a moment, Nick remained silent.
Then he answered.
"I want her to be mine."
Olivia raised an eyebrow.
"Yours?"
"Yes."
He said it with such certainty that Olivia almost laughed.
She had expected several possibilities, but this was even more interesting than she had imagined.
So Nick Brown wanted Alexa too.
That meant they had something in common.
And perhaps, if she played her cards carefully, she could use his feelings against him.
Olivia folded her arms.
"Well, Nick, it seems that fate has brought us together tonight."
He looked at her suspiciously.
"What do you mean?"
Olivia smiled.
"Because I know where Alexa Watson is."
For the first time since their conversation began, Nick looked genuinely startled.
"You know where she is?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
Olivia tilted her head.
"Not so fast."
His expression darkened.
"If you're playing games with me—"
"I'm not playing games, Nick."
She interrupted him calmly.
"I know where she is, and I can help you get to her. But before I tell you anything, we need to agree on something."
Nick stared at her for several seconds.
"What condition?"
Olivia's smile widened.
"You have to make sure Robert Moore never finds her."
The words hung between them.
Nick studied her face, trying to determine whether she was serious.
"You want me to keep Alexa away from her husband?"
"Exactly."
"Why?"
Olivia's smile disappeared.
"Because I have my reasons."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting for now."
Nick looked away, thinking.
He had spent a considerable amount of time trying to find Alexa, but every lead had taken him nowhere. He knew Robert was also searching for her, and he understood that whoever found her first would have an advantage.
If this woman genuinely knew where Alexa was, he couldn't afford to ignore the opportunity.
Besides, he had no intention of allowing Robert to take her away from him.
He turned back to Olivia.
"Suppose I agree. How do I know you'll actually tell me where she is?"
Olivia reached into her handbag and retrieved her phone.
"Because I have no reason to waste my time with you. I want Alexa out of Robert's life, and you want Alexa for yourself. Our interests are perfectly aligned."
She held his gaze.
"You get what you want, and I get what I want."
Nick considered her words.
It was a dangerous arrangement, but the opportunity was too tempting to dismiss.
He extended his hand.
"Fine. We have a deal."
Olivia shook it.
"Excellent."
"Now tell me where she is."
Olivia leaned closer and whispered the information she had obtained from her source.
Nick's expression changed as he listened.
"Are you certain?"
"Absolutely."
He nodded slowly.
"Then I'll take care of it."
Olivia smiled.
"See that you do."
Nick stepped back, already thinking about his next move.
For the first time that night, Olivia felt a sense of satisfaction.
She had arrived at the club feeling humiliated and powerless, but she was leaving with something far more valuable than a few hours of distraction.
She had found an ally.
And together, they would ensure that Alexa Watson never returned to the life Robert Moore had planned for her.
At least, that was what Olivia believed.
She had no idea how far this decision would go, or how many lives would be changed because of it.
---
At the Hospital
The atmosphere in Alexa's hospital room had changed.
Only a short while earlier, the room had been filled with questions, confusion, and the painful realization that Alexa could no longer remember the people she loved.
Now, a quiet sadness had settled over everyone.
Robert stood beside Alexa's bed, still holding her hand.
He had spent two years searching for his wife, never knowing whether he would find her alive or whether he would have to spend the rest of his life wondering what had happened to her.
Now she was finally there.
She was breathing.
She could speak.
She could look at him.
But she didn't remember him.
It was a cruel reality, and although he had promised himself that he would be patient, he couldn't deny how much it hurt.
Charlotte, who had remained quiet for most of the conversation, finally decided to break the silence.
"All right, I think we've had enough serious conversations for one day."
Everyone turned to look at her.
Charlotte offered Alexa a warm smile.
"I've missed you so much, Alexa. We have so much to catch up on, and I'm not going to let you escape before I tell you everything you've missed."
Alexa returned her smile, though there was still uncertainty in her eyes.
"I wish I could remember you."
Charlotte's expression softened.
"I know."
She moved closer to the bed.
"But you don't have to remember everything right now. We can start again."
Alexa studied her face.
"You really don't mind?"
"Of course not."
Charlotte gently squeezed her shoulder.
"We'll make new memories. And when your old memories finally return, you'll have even more to remember."
The words brought a small smile to Alexa's face.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
Charlotte glanced at Robert.
"And don't worry about him. He's stubborn enough to wait for you forever."
Robert gave her a warning look.
"Charlotte."
"What?"
She raised her hands innocently.
"What I said is true."
Sid let out a quiet laugh, but Robert merely shook his head.
For the first time since Alexa had awakened, a little of the tension in the room eased.
Tory, however, remained quiet in the corner.
She watched her sister interacting with the Moores, and an overwhelming sense of relief washed over her.
For the past two weeks, she had watched Alexa struggle with her condition. She had seen the confusion in her eyes, the frustration when she couldn't remember even the simplest things, and the exhaustion that followed every attempt to make sense of her past.
There had been moments when Tory had felt completely helpless.
She wanted to help her sister, but she couldn't give her the memories she had lost.
She couldn't explain a life that Alexa herself couldn't remember.
And she couldn't take away the pain of waking up to discover that two years had disappeared.
But perhaps she didn't have to do everything alone anymore.
Robert and his family clearly cared about Alexa.
Even if Alexa couldn't remember them, they were willing to stand by her.
For that, Tory was grateful.
She lowered her eyes, allowing herself a quiet moment of relief.
Across the room, Sid noticed her silence.
He had been trying not to stare at her, but his attention kept returning to her face.
There was something about Tory that made it difficult for him to look away.
Perhaps it was the quiet strength she displayed whenever she spoke about her sister. Perhaps it was the way she tried to remain composed even when she was clearly worried.
Whatever it was, he found himself wanting to know more about her.
He wondered whether she had always been this strong, or whether life had simply given her no choice.
When Tory finally looked up, their eyes met.
Sid quickly looked away.
Tory noticed.
A faint crease appeared between her eyebrows, but she said nothing.
She had more important things to worry about than figuring out why Sid kept glancing in her direction.
At the moment, her sister was all that mattered.
---
Alexa stifled a yawn.
Charlotte immediately noticed.
"Someone is getting sleepy."
Alexa gave a small, embarrassed smile.
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude."
"You're not being rude," Robert said immediately.
He adjusted the blanket around her.
"You've been through a lot. You need to rest."
"But we haven't finished talking."
"We can talk tomorrow."
Alexa hesitated.
"Will you still be here tomorrow?"
Robert looked at her.
There it was again.
That small, uncertain question that reminded him she no longer knew what it meant to have him beside her.
He forced himself to smile.
"Of course."
She studied him for a moment before nodding.
"All right."
Robert gently brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead.
"Close your eyes, sweetheart."
Alexa obeyed.
She settled against her pillow, still holding his hand.
At first, she remained awake, listening to the quiet conversations around her.
Then she noticed something.
Whenever she looked at Robert, she felt an inexplicable sense of calm.
She didn't understand it.
She didn't remember his voice, his face, or the life they had supposedly shared.
But when he held her hand, the fear that had followed her since waking up seemed to fade.
She felt safe.
For the first time since she had regained consciousness two weeks earlier, she wasn't desperately searching her mind for answers.
She wasn't wondering who she was or why her memories had disappeared.
She simply allowed herself to rest.
Gradually, her breathing became slower and more even.
Robert watched her until he was certain she had fallen asleep.
A tender expression crossed his face.
He gently brushed his lips against her forehead.
"I'll be back, sweetheart," he whispered.
Then he carefully released her hand and turned toward the others.
He raised one finger to his lips, reminding them to remain quiet.
Charlotte nodded.
Sid gestured toward the door.
Robert led the way out of the room, followed by Sid and Charlotte.
Tory remained behind to keep Alexa company.
None of them noticed the hospital maid who had been assigned to Alexa's ward slipping away earlier.
And none of them suspected that someone might already know exactly where Alexa was.
The moment they stepped into the corridor, Robert's expression became serious.
He turned toward Tory.
"There's something I need to ask you."
Tory straightened.
"Of course, Mr. Moore."
"Since Alexa woke up two weeks ago, has she really not remembered anything?"
Tory sighed.
"Not much."
Robert waited for her to continue.
"At first, I thought her memories might return after a few days. But as time passed, I realized that things weren't that simple."
She glanced toward Alexa's room.
"She would spend hours staring into space, trying to remember something. Sometimes she would ask me questions about herself, and I wouldn't know how to answer them without overwhelming her."
Robert listened carefully.
"Has she been eating properly?"
"Sometimes. But she's been very tired, and she hasn't been taking her medication as she should."
Robert's eyebrows drew together.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Tory lowered her gaze.
"Because I didn't know you existed in her life until today."
The answer silenced him.
She was right.
He had only just found them, and he couldn't expect Tory to explain everything about Alexa's condition when she had been trying to manage the situation herself.
Tory continued.
"The doctor said that her mind was under a lot of strain. She had been unconscious for two years, and waking up without remembering anything has been difficult for her."
She paused.
"But today was different."
Robert looked at her.
"Different how?"
Tory smiled faintly.
"For the first time since she woke up, I saw something in her eyes that I hadn't seen before."
"What?"
"Life."
Her voice softened.
"She was asking questions, responding to people, and showing interest in what was happening around her. Usually, she just looks at everything as though she's trying to understand a world that doesn't belong to her."
Tory swallowed.
"Today, she looked like my sister again."
Robert's expression softened.
He looked toward the closed hospital door.
Perhaps Alexa didn't remember the life they had shared, but something of the woman he loved was still there.
He had seen it when she asked about their children.
He had seen it when she worried about whether he would return.
And he had seen it in the way she held his hand.
"Where's the doctor?" he asked.
Tory gave him the doctor's name and explained where he might be found.
Robert nodded.
"I want to speak with him about Alexa's condition. I need to understand what we can do to help her recover."
"I understand."
Robert turned to Sid.
"Come with me."
Sid nodded, then glanced briefly at Tory.
She was already looking back toward Alexa's room.
For a moment, he considered saying something to her.
But whatever words came to mind seemed inadequate.
He followed Robert down the corridor.
Charlotte stayed beside Tory.
The two women exchanged a look before returning their attention to the hospital room.
Neither of them knew that the peace they had found was about to be shattered.
The hospital corridor had grown quieter as the night progressed.
Most visitors had gone home, and the nurses moved between rooms with practiced efficiency.
Inside Alexa's ward, Tory sat beside the bed while Charlotte rested in a chair nearby.
Alexa was sleeping peacefully.
For the first time in days, there was no tension in her expression.
Tory watched her for a while, feeling grateful that her sister had finally managed to rest.
She had spent so many nights worrying about Alexa that she had almost forgotten what it felt like to sit quietly without fearing that something else might go wrong.
Charlotte leaned back in her chair.
"She seems calmer now."
Tory nodded.
"She does."
"Robert really cares about her."
A small smile touched Tory's face.
"I can see that."
Charlotte glanced toward Alexa.
"He hasn't stopped looking at her since he arrived."
Tory was silent for a moment.
"She deserves that kind of love."
Charlotte turned toward her.
"So do you, Tory."
Tory looked at her in surprise.
Charlotte shrugged.
"I'm just saying."
Before Tory could respond, a faint sound came from the corridor.
Footsteps.
Heavy footsteps.
Tory looked toward the door.
"Are you expecting anyone?" she whispered.
Charlotte shook her head.
"No. Why?"
"I heard something."
They both listened.
The footsteps stopped outside the ward.
A moment later, the door opened.
Four men entered.
Their appearance immediately set Tory on edge.
They weren't wearing hospital uniforms, and none of them appeared to be visitors. Their expressions were hard, and they moved with a confidence that made it clear they hadn't come to ask for directions.
One of the men stepped forward.
He appeared to be the leader.
His gaze moved across the room before settling on Alexa.
"Which one of you is Alexa Watson?"
Tory's heart began to pound.
Charlotte sat upright.
Neither woman answered.
The man looked at them impatiently.
"I asked a question. Which one of you is Alexa Watson?"
Tory exchanged a brief glance with Charlotte.
They both understood immediately.
Something was wrong.
These men hadn't come to visit Alexa.
They had come for her.
Tory rose from her chair and positioned herself between the strangers and her sister's bed.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
The man ignored her question.
"Tell me which one is Alexa Watson, and nobody needs to get hurt."
Charlotte stood as well.
"You're in a hospital. You can't just walk into someone's room and start making demands."
The leader turned toward her.
"Stay out of this."
"No," Charlotte replied firmly. "Not when you're threatening someone who can't even defend herself."
The man's expression darkened.
For a moment, he simply stared at the two women.
Then he gave a short, humorless laugh.
"You seem to think you have a choice in this matter."
Tory's stomach twisted.
She wanted to call for help, but she didn't know whether the men had already taken precautions to prevent anyone from interfering.
She glanced toward the door.
The corridor beyond it appeared empty.
Where were the nurses?
Where was the security guard?
And where were Robert and Sid?
The leader took another step forward.
"Last chance. Tell us which one is Alexa."
Tory lifted her chin.
"We're not telling you anything until you explain who you are and why you're looking for her."
The man shook his head.
"Wrong answer."
He turned to his companions.
"Take them."
Charlotte barely had time to react.
One of the men moved toward her while another grabbed Tory's arm.
Tory struggled against him.
"Let go of me!"
Charlotte tried to pull Tory away, but the third man blocked her path.
Their voices rose, breaking the silence of the ward.
Alexa stirred in her sleep.
The noise grew louder.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she struggled to understand what was happening.
For a moment, she thought she was dreaming.
Then she saw the strangers.
She saw Tory struggling against one of them.
She saw Charlotte trying to defend her.
And she heard the leader repeat her name.
"Alexa Watson. You're coming with us."
Her blood ran cold.
"Who are you?" she demanded, trying to sit up.
The movement made her head spin, but she forced herself to remain upright.
"Why are you here?"
The man turned toward her.
A faint smile crossed his face.
"There she is."
Tory immediately struggled harder.
"Don't you dare touch my sister!"
The man holding her tightened his grip.
"Keep quiet."
"Let her go!" Charlotte shouted.
The leader ignored them.
He approached Alexa's bed.
She tried to move away, but her body was still weak, and the sudden shock left her struggling to think clearly.
"Stay away from me!"
"You're coming with us."
"No!"
Alexa reached for the call button beside her bed, but before she could press it, the man seized her arm.
She cried out.
Tory's voice rang through the room.
"Alexa!"
Charlotte fought to get between them, but another man caught her.
Within moments, all three women were being forced toward the door.
Alexa tried to hold on to the bed, but her strength failed her.
She was still recovering.
She couldn't fight four men on her own.
And Robert wasn't there.
The realization filled her with panic.
"Please!" she cried. "Someone help us!"
But the men moved quickly, dragging them into the corridor before anyone could respond.
Tory continued struggling.
"Robert will find out about this! He'll come looking for us!"
The leader glanced at her.
"Then he can try."
His words sent a chill through Alexa.
Who were these men?
How did they know her name?
And why did they want her?
She had only just begun to understand the life she had lost. She had only just learned that she had a husband and three children.
She couldn't disappear again.
Not now.
Not when Robert had finally found her.
The men dragged them toward a service exit.
Charlotte twisted around, desperately searching for someone who might help them.
But the corridor remained eerily quiet.
No one came.
No one stopped the men.
By the time they reached the exit, Alexa's breathing had become uneven.
Her head was spinning, and her legs could barely support her.
Tory noticed immediately.
"Alexa, look at me. Stay with us, okay?"
Alexa tried to focus on her sister's face.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
"I know," Tory replied, her voice trembling despite her efforts to remain strong. "But we're going to get through this."
Charlotte reached for Alexa's hand.
"Don't give up. Robert will come for us."
Alexa desperately wanted to believe her.
Robert.
Just thinking about him brought a small measure of comfort.
He had promised to return.
He had told her that she didn't have to face everything alone.
And now she needed him more than ever.
The men pushed open the service exit.
A dark van was waiting outside.
One of them opened its rear door.
"Get them inside."
Tory tried to pull away.
"You're making a terrible mistake!"
The leader gave her a cold look.
"That's for us to decide."
They forced Tory into the van first, followed by Charlotte.
Then they grabbed Alexa.
She struggled weakly, trying to keep her balance as they pushed her toward the open door.
But her foot caught against the edge.
She stumbled.
Her head struck the side of the van, and a sharp wave of pain swept through her.
For a moment, everything around her blurred.
She heard Tory shouting her name.
She heard Charlotte demanding that the men stop.
Then she felt herself falling.
The last thing she saw was the dark interior of the van.
And the last thought that crossed her mind before consciousness slipped away was Robert.
Please, Robert. Find us before it's too late.
The van doors slammed shut.
A moment later, the engine roared to life.
The vehicle pulled away from the hospital, disappearing into the darkness.
And just like that, Alexa Watson was missing again.
Only this time, she wasn't alone.
Meanwhile...
Robert and Sid were still searching for the doctor when Robert's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen, expecting a message from one of his employees.
Instead, he found a missed call from the hospital.
His expression changed.
"Something's wrong," he muttered.
Sid turned toward him.
"What is it?"
Robert immediately called the number back.
No one answered.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
He couldn't explain it, but something told him that he needed to return to Alexa's room immediately.
"Let's go," he said sharply.
Sid didn't ask questions.
He followed Robert as they hurried back toward the ward.
Neither man knew what had happened while they were away.
Neither knew that the room they had left only minutes earlier was now empty.
And neither knew that somewhere in the city, four men were carrying out a plan that could change all their lives forever.