Feeling awful, I thought it was Caleb again.
My face turned dark right away.
Without looking, I pushed away the hand and yelled, âLeave me alone!â Then I hurried away.
But I hadnât gone far when someone pulled me back.
A worried voice followed.
âDebra, whatâs wrong?â
The voice was clear and caring, and most importantly, it was a womanâs.
I turned and saw the woman Iâd met at the hospital, the one Carlos introduced as Zoe, a friend from before I lost my memories.
Zoe looked at me, still surprised from being yelled at.
âWhat happened? Why did you react like that?â
I felt really bad and quickly said sorry.
âZoe, Iâm sorry, I didnât know it was you.
I didnât mean to snap at you.
Iâm really sorry.
â
But when Zoe heard my apology, she looked even more worried.
Concerned, she asked, âDebra, what happened? Youâre usually so calm.
â
Why did you get so angry all of a sudden?
I stopped and thought for a moment, but I still couldnât explain it.
It was hard to explain things like this to someone when I didnât even remember everything myself.
Even though Zoe felt familiar, without all my memories, she was still a stranger.
And what Caleb did wasnât something to be proud of.
Seeing how I reacted, Zoe seemed to misunderstand even more.
She got angrier and said through clenched teeth, âDid some jerk take advantage of your memory loss and hurt you?â
Before I could say anything, Zoe rolled up her sleeves, determined.
âDebra, donât worry.
Just tell me who it is, and Iâll sort them out.
Letâs see who dares to hurt you!â
I knew Zoe was really angry and wanted to help me.
I quickly grabbed her arm, tears in my eyes, shaking my head, and said, âNo, itâs not that, Zoe, youâve got it wrong.
Itâs Caleb.
â
âWhat?â Zoe looked surprised.
She stopped for a moment, then asked with a frown, âWhy
would Caleb hurt you? Doesnât he love you?â
Zoeâs words made me even sadder.
Calebâs love for me had been real, but so was his falling out of love.
My heart felt like it was being ripped apart.
I couldnât stop the tears as I confessed, âI just went to the villa, and I saw Caleb sleeping with another woman.
â
âWhat?â Zoeâs eyes widened in shock.
She paused, then said, âCalebâs a good person, and he loves you.
Iâve seen your love growing, Debra.
Could there be some misunderstanding?â
Tears streamed down my face as I shook my head.
âI wish it was a mistake, but I saw it myself.
How could it be untrue? I opened the door and saw them both naked in a bed.
The other woman had marks of intimacy.
â
âWhat?â Zoe spat angrily, her fists clenched.
âCaleb, that jerk! Youâve disappeared for a while, and heâs back to his old ways.
How dare he!â
My body trembled, and I froze.
So, my vague memories were true.
Caleb was like this even before I lost my memories.
Lost in thought, I felt Zoe take my hand, her anger filling my vision.
âDonât be afraid, Debra!â She gasped, raising her eyebrows.
âLetâs go confront him now! If heâs done you wrong, he must pay! We canât let him off easy!â
With a bitter smile, I shook my head.
I felt my disappointment deepen, my heart heavy as a stone sinking into a deep well, making no ripples.
âNo need, thank you.
Itâs not necessary.
â
I let go of Zoeâs hand and turned away decisively.
âIâm Leaving.
Goodbye.
â
When he no longer loved me, what was the use of confrontation and explanation?
It would only bring more embarrassment to myself.