Chapter 4 Four

-- Hao --

I didn't sleep the entire night.

I kept my eyes closed, pretending to rest, but my senses were on high alert-listening, waiting, watching. Every time a nurse entered to check on Jazz, I was aware. Every time the machines beeped, I noticed.

But mostly, I focused on her. On the steady rise and fall of her chest. On the warmth of her hand in mine.

And then-I felt it.

A slight movement.

Her fingers twitched.

My eyes snapped open.

She was awake.

And she was looking at me.

"Ma vie..." I whispered, afraid.

Afraid of what I might see in her eyes. Would it be anger? Hatred?

But then, in a voice so weak it barely reached me-

"H-Haoi... ko," she murmured. "W-what... h-happened?"

I froze.

Did she not remember?

"You don't remember?" I asked, hesitant.

She weakly shook her head, her eyes fluttering shut for a second before struggling to stay open.

We were alone in the room. Nakago had forced Angela to step out earlier to get breakfast, though she had been reluctant to leave.

She also needed to get Jazz's things from home.

Nakago and Angela had agreed not to tell Jazz's grandparents what happened yet. No point in worrying them-not until we understood everything.

I turned back to Jazz.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

She closed her eyes, concentrating.

"We were supposed to have dinner... I went to the mall to buy something..." she said slowly, her forehead creasing in confusion.

And then-nothing.

Her eyes widened.

"I don't remember what happened next."

I clenched my jaw.

"What else, Ma vie? Think. What happened at the mall?"

Her memory had always been sharp-eidetic, photographic. She should be able to recall everything clearly.

But now, she looked lost.

"I... I don't remember... Am I sick?"

Panic flashed across her face. Her eyes filled with tears.

"My Empress, no," I said quickly, wiping away the tears that started to spill down her cheeks. "You're not sick."

"B-but... why don't... I remember... anything?" Her voice broke. "Am I dying? I... I don't want to die."

"Ma vie, no... Please, calm down... You're not dying."

I had never felt more helpless.

Every time she cried, I felt like the ground beneath me disappeared.

I moved closer, sitting on the edge of the bed. I cupped her face and pressed kisses against her damp cheeks.

"Please stop crying... You're not sick," I whispered over and over, willing her to believe me.

The door burst open.

"Hao, what happened?" Angela's worried voice filled the room. "Baby!"

"Mommy!" Jazz sobbed, reaching for her mother.

Angela rushed to her side, brushing her hair back, murmuring reassurances.

"She doesn't remember what happened," I said quietly.

Angela's eyes widened in shock.

I glanced at Nakago. He didn't look surprised.

He had expected this.

But he said nothing.

Instead, he walked over to Jazz, placing a hand on her back as she continued to cry in her mother's arms.

He let her cry.