Chapter 1488: Chapter 1588

Didn’t we love each other before?

While I grappled with these thoughts, Dylan’s touch brought me back.

His voice was gentle.

“Mommy, please stay.

Don’t go away again, alright?”

I remained quiet.

The certainty of what Caleb and I shared was elusive.

I couldn’t grasp whether our bond was steeped in trust or mere acquaintance.

And then there was Abby to consider.

Perhaps it was my role to support Andrew and uphold the facade of a fiancee in that world.

As we pulled up to Thorn Edge Pack’s medical facility, Caleb proceeded alone into the examination room at the doctor’s behest, leaving Carlos and me on the outdoor bench, waiting.

Carlos probed with a few questions during the wait.

My answers were spare.

Trust had yet to be established between us.

He took note of my guarded stance and chose his words carefully.

“Memories may elude you, but your sharp wit remains intact.

”

A slight smile touched my lips.

“One tends to guard what’s left when everything else is uncertain.

”

Carlos offered a smile, extending a hand of introduction.

“I’m Carlos Vargas.

Should you require assistance, don’t hesitate to ask.

”

“Thank you,” I replied, acknowledging his gesture with a nod, the currency of civility.

Dylan nestled quietly in my embrace, absorbing our exchange without a word.

His constant hold perhaps hinted at a fear, sown from my absence, that I might slip away again without notice.

Bandaging Caleb proved to be a complex task, and his prolonged absence in the medical room left us in a silent anticipation.

During this lull, figures unknown to me approached with urgency.

One, whose demeanor suggested valor, enveloped me in a vigorous embrace.

“Debra, it’s wonderful you’re back!”

Her enthusiasm was so potent I nearly gasped for air.

Dylan, protective as ever, raised his voice with a tinge of alarm.

“Zoe, ease up! Can’t you see she’s overwhelmed?”

At his admonition, Zoe released me, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment.

Her concern didn’t wane, though.

“Debra, where have you been? Are you alright?”

Another, grace personified, joined us, her joy evident.

“We’ve missed you dearly, Debra.

Your return is a blessing,” she said with heartfelt warmth.

Their kindness left me floundering, unsure how to respond.

Zoe’s intuition picked up on my disquiet.

“What’s troubling you?”

Before I could muster a response, Carlos intervened, drawing Zoe and the gentle woman aside.

“A crucial detail I neglected to mention,” he confessed quietly, ““Debra’s memories are not with her.

She’s a stranger to our history.

”