A chilling realization dawned on Zack as he watched Bella slip away. His eyes darkened with fury, and his face twisted into something monstrous.
With a snarl, he raised his gun, aimed directly at them. But before he could pull the trigger, the guards fired.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Gunshots echoed in the air.
Zack’s body jolted violently, his chest erupting in crimson. His mouth opened in a silent scream as his knees buckled, another bullet tearing into his stomach. His grip on the gun loosened. His body swayed backward. His wild, pain-filled eyes locked onto Bella one last time, something unreadable flickering in them.
And then he fell. His body plunged over the edge of the terrace.
For a moment, there was only silence. Then a shriek tore through the air.
"ZACK!" Hazel collapsed to her knees, her cry raw with agony. Her frail frame trembled violently before her eyes rolled back, and she slumped to the ground in a dead faint.
"Hazel," Cole rushed to her side, catching her before she could hit the ground.
Bella clung to Theodore, her body shaking from the adrenaline, from the sheer terror of what had just happened.
Theodore tightened his hold on her, pressing a firm kiss against her temple. "It’s over," he murmured, with a mix of relief and lingering fury.
Zack was gone. And with him, the nightmare was ended.
But Bella was still shocked. The sharp, deafening crack of gunfire rattled her to the core. The world around her blurred, spinning out of control.
The pounding in her chest was unbearable, but worse was the sudden, searing pain that erupted in her head. It was as if something inside her had snapped.
Her hands flew to her head, clutching it tightly. "Ahh..." she whimpered, her knees buckling.
"Bella!" Theodore caught her just as she was about to collapse.
Her vision swam, darkness creeping at the edges. The sound of voices faded in and out, but Theodore’s strong arms wrapped securely around her.
"Bella, look at me," he demanded, but she could barely focus. Her lashes fluttered, and she let out a weak whimper against his chest.
Theodore swept her up into his arms. His jaw was tight as he strode past the guards and Zack’s fallen parents.
"The car. Now," he barked at Skyler.
Theodore moved swiftly, barely registering the chaos around him. The only thing that mattered was Bella.
He placed her inside the car, holding her close as he settled in beside her. "Drive to the hospital. Fast," he ordered.
The car sped off into the night, cutting through the empty streets.
Bella was on the verge of losing her consciousness. She whimpered softly, her fingers weakly grasping at his shirt. "Theodore..."
"I’m here," he whispered, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Just hold on, my love. We’re almost there."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Several hours later...
Theodore sat rigidly in the doctor’s office, his fingers interlocked tightly as he looked anxiously at the doctor, who was studying Bella’s file.
The doctor exhaled deeply, placing the medical report on the desk. His expression was grave. "Mr. Reid, we have completed all the necessary tests. I’m afraid... Mrs. Reid’s memory loss cannot be reversed."
The words struck Theodore like a blow to the chest. His jaw clenched, but he forced himself to remain composed.
The doctor continued, "However, the good news is that she can still form new memories. While she may never regain what she has lost, she can still live a fulfilling life—if given the right environment."
Theodore swallowed the lump in his throat. Hope flickered in his chest.
"She needs to be surrounded by happiness, love, and familiarity," the doctor added. "Any stress or emotional turmoil could worsen her condition, possibly causing further cognitive decline. She needs stability, reassurance, and constant motivation. Let her do what she loves. Keep her engaged in activities that bring her joy."
Theodore nodded, absorbing every word.
The doctor offered a small, encouraging smile. "With time and care, she can lead a normal life. It will be difficult, but I believe with your support, she can still have a bright future."
Theodore nodded, his eyes dark with determination. "She is my everything. I will take care of her."
As Theodore stepped out of the doctor’s chamber, his gaze hardened with resolve. Bella may have lost her past, but he would make sure she had a future worth remembering.
Even if he had to make her fall in love with him all over again, he would do it. With renewed hope, he went into Bella’s room.
She sat on the bed, her fingers idly tracing the folds of the white blanket draped over her lap. The moment Theodore stepped inside, her eyes lit up, searching his face for answers.
He pulled a warm smile, though his heart was heavy with the weight of the truth.
"What did the doctor say?" she asked softly.
Theodore approached her, sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching for her hand. He entwined his fingers with hers.
"You’ll be fine," he said reassuringly. "It’ll just take some time."
Bella studied his face, as if searching for something deeper beneath his words. "Are you telling the truth?"
Theodore lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss against her skin. "Yes, my love," he whispered, his gaze locking onto hers. "It doesn’t matter if you remember the past or not. The best thing is that we are together. We’ll create new memories. I’ll make you fall in love with me all over again."
Bella’s heart fluttered at his words, warmth spreading through her chest. Theodore’s touch, his presence always made her feel safe, cherished.
Her fingers reached up hesitantly, brushing against his cheek. "You... love me that much?"
Theodore caught her hand and pressed it against his heart, letting her feel its steady, unrelenting beat. "More than my own life," he murmured.
Bella felt her throat tighten with emotion. She had lost so many pieces of herself, yet this man looked at her like she was his entire world.
Tears brimmed in her eyes as she whispered, "Then... will you tell me everything about us? About our love story? I want to know everything – every single detail."
A soft chuckle escaped Theodore. "Of course. I’ll tell you everything," he murmured, brushing his lips tenderly against her temple. "Should I tell you how breathtaking you looked when I first saw you? Or how you drove me absolutely mad with love? Or maybe I should tell you about the countless nights I held you in my arms, whispering promises only meant for you?"
Bella closed her eyes, allowing the warmth of his words to envelop her. She didn’t remember those moments, but she wanted to. She wanted to know what it felt like to love and be loved by this man.
Theodore pulled back just enough to meet her gaze again, his thumb stroking her cheek. "We’ll take it slow, Bella. One step at a time. And one day, you’ll fall for me again, just like before."
With that, he leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. Bella kissed him back, a hopeful smile curling her lips. No matter how lost she was, she believed Theodore would always be the light leading her back home.
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