I STARE, UNSEEING, outside the window as I ponder the last two days of my life.  I’m still struggling to come to terms with everything. My breath catches in my throat as a sudden, sharp pain shoots across the back of my brain. I hold my head until it disappears. The headaches come and go, but all the tests they conducted on me indicate that I am going to be fine. Well, as fine as possible given the circumstances. Each time I try and pressurize my brain to recollect anything from the last five years, my head starts to pound fiercely. Retrograde amnesia is what they’re calling it. I still can’t process it though. How could I forget five years of my life? It makes no sense to me whatsoever. Gabe has promised some answers once the doctor has cleared me out from here, although I’m still waiting to find out when that will be.

The door to my room opens and Celia saunters in with a huge smile plastered on her face. My brows rise in shock. Why is she here?

“Damien,” she rasps, coming towards me with open arms.

Before I can respond, she grabs hold of my face and plants her lips on mine.

What the bloody hell? I push her away from me a second later. Smiling, she turns to the nurse with a pointed brow.

My jaw slackens. We had a spectator? What is Celia trying to prove? And why?

The nurse glances in my direction. “I’m sorry, Your Grace, for earlier. I’m sure your husband will be in good hands now.”

Wait, what? The nurse is addressing Celia and not me?

Oh My God! I married Celia Parker and I don’t even remember it!

“Darling,” she gushes. Her hand reaches to touch my face and I flinch, leaning away from her.

Her lips tighten as she pulls her hand back, but a second later her usual cool mask slips into place and she tilts her head to observe me. Every part of me recoils from the knowledge that I married her.

How could I have done that?

Why the fuck would I have willingly tied myself to Celia?

I have known Celia Parker forever. Her family is entitled, her father an earl. Our parents were friends and that’s why she was always around while I was growing up. I may not remember the past five years of my life, but the time before that is crystal clear as if it was yesterday; I guess to me it is yesterday.