Chapter 3 Back to life.

SIX MONTHS LATER.

I opened my eyes slowly, the harsh fluorescent lights above pierced through my skull like a thousand needles. I winced, raising a trembling hand to shield my face. The room was quiet, except for the steady beeping of monitors and the soft hum of machines.

As I looked around, my gaze fell upon an empty chair beside me, an almost empty table with a solitary water glass, and a large TV mounted on the wall, its screen scrolling through news headlines. i was confused.

"Hello?" I called out, my voice barely above a whisper.

No response. Panic crept in as my eyes scanned the empty room. Where is everyone? I thought as i tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, forcing me back onto the pillow.

"What happened?" I muttered to herself.

Fragments of memories swirled in my mind: A rooftop, a wicked face laughing maniacally.....but the details remained elusive.

I glanced around the room again, searching for clues: a hospital gown draped over my body. IV lines were snaked into my arm. A name tag was on my wrist, i turned it around to check it; Hailey.

Hailey? The name sounded familiar, yet distant. With a shaking hand, i reached for the bedside table, pulling myself up to examine the room more closely.

No flowers. No cards. No signs of visitors. A chill ran down my spine. Was i alone? Abandoned? Fear gripped my heart as i whispered, "Who am I?"

The machines surrounding me seemed to mock me, their steady beeps echoing my own heartbeat.

Suddenly, a nurse entered the room, breaking the silence.

"Welcome back, Hailey. How are you feeling?" She spoke to me politely.

My eyes locked onto the nurse, desperate for answers.

"I...I don't remember," i stammered.

The nurse's expression softened. "Don't worry, dear. You've been through a traumatic experience. Memory loss is common."

My gaze drifted back to the empty room.

Was anyone looking for me?

Did anyone care?

"Why am I here?" i asked the nurse.

"Well, I don't really know much. One of Mr. Dante's men brought you here. They met you covered in blood on top of their car. I think you fell from the rooftop."

Mr. Dante? Is that a family of mine? I tried to recall but was distracted by the TV's news.

"......babel has now entered the list of the top five biggest companies in the country." The newscaster said, and the video of a man together with a group of people was shown appreciating the citizens for patronizing them.

The face of the man speaking looked so familiar, the woman beside him too, they both looked familiar. I tried to remember, and all of a sudden, a web of memories rushed in.

"Ryan Blackwood!!!" Beside him was Cassie and our family members.

I began to pant, the image of Ryan and Cassie making love, Cassie pushing me from the rooftop, i began remembering every bit of my memory.

Tears rolled down my face. I couldn't take it anymore. I fell back on the bed and went back into unconsciousness.

It took me another one week to be able to regain consciousness. I have regained my memories now, and it feels like I should go back into the comma and be trapped there for life. Ryan doesn't even remember me nor feel remorseful for all the bad things he did to me.

My family members look like they are doing well without me, i guess i was not really important to them. A nurse and a doctor came in. That has been the only two faces I have been seeing ever since I woke up. They both greeted me warmly.

".....with the condition of your face, you will be needing a surgery which will be carried out soon." The doctor said and I was a bit confused.

"A surgery?" I asked.

"Yes," the doctor answered and handed me a mirror.

"We have been taking care of it for the past six months, but now, it has turned to a big and ugly scar. Luckily for you, this is the only part that needs surgery as the glass didn't pierce your vital organs."

I collected the mirror from him and looked at myself. A tear rolled down my face the moment I saw how I was looking. A curve slashed traversed my right cheek, pulling my mouth into a perpetual, wistful smile. I looked so ugly.

'Stop crying, a surgery can be done and make you look better again. In fact, you can change your face with it. Do not worry too much."

The doctor comforted me, and that soothed me a little.

"The remaining scars on your body are not too deep, so they will soon fade away. It is just the one on your face that needs surgery. All you need now is rest and also brace yourself for the surgery."

The man continued, and I felt a bit relieved. Afterwards, the man turned to leave. Suddenly, a question came to my mind, and I stopped the doctor by holding the tip of his cloth.

"You need anything, ma?" The man asked me with curiosity, and I nodded before answering.

"Who is Mr. Dante?" I asked because I have regained all my memories now, but I do not remember any Mr. Dante.

"Ohh, he owns the car that you fell on the day you fell from the rooftop. It was one of his men who brought you to the hospital."

So there was a Dante in the company the day I fell from the rooftop. Who can Dante be? And what was he looking for in Babel that day. I tried my best to remember if there is any Dante that I know in Babel, but there isn't.

"Ok then," I said and rested my back on the pillow.

Weeks passed, and I finally underwent the surgery, I was now looking different, hot, and more beautiful this time, all thanks to the doctor. With time, I was able to get along with my new face.

The news of Babel becoming more successful filled the country. They are now in the top three. I smiled devilishly as I saw the articles published about Ryan Blackwood and his supportive wife, Cassie.

They must think I am dead by now, I scoffed. I guess my destiny is not as bad as I thought.

After spending eight months in the hospital, it was time for me to be discharged. I inquired about my bill, but I was told that everything had been cleared by Mr. Dante.

I was stunned at first.

A stranger paid an eight months bill! Someone I haven't seen or met before. I really owe this Dante my entire life. If one of his men hadn't brought me here, maybe I would be in heaven by now, watching Ryan and Cassie enjoying their life after ruining me.

I requested for his details, and only his full name and phone number of the man that brought me here was given to me.

Dante Russo, I pronounced the name in my mind. It sounds familiar, though. I must find a way to thank him, at least.