She stayed outside wen's room until Austyn came out.

She tried to talk to him but he refused to listen and just pushed past her. She saw him get into a car and drive away twenty minutes ago.

Are you sure it's him?' Jesse was still sceptical.

him, sounding all frantic and excited, telling him she'd just found Austyn.

It wasn't the first time Kira had done this-calling hi

But that happened mostly during the first year of Austyn's disappearance.

Eventually, she learned to do her own verification before calling him or Luca

jasse would not have made the trip if Kara hadn't sounded so sure over the phone. Kira nodded. 'I'm sure. It's him." Jesse threw up both hands. If it's really him, why didn't you try and stall him?'

Kira didn't reply.

A gust of wind blew.

She shivered

Then she looked up and seemed to have just registered Jesse's presence. "Did you bring the marriage certificate?!

"Why do you need it anyway?!

She glanced at him. "Didn't I tell you over the phone? He lost his memory."

"What?" Jesse's voice went up an octave.

He put both hands on her shoulders. 'You're joking, right?"

I wish I was "Kira let out a weary sigh. "He didn't recognise me at all. Didn't know my name. Didn't know we're married. I told him I'm his wife. He asked me to prove it! 'That's why you wanted me to ge

get the certificate."

jesse smacked his forehead with his palm 'I was in such a hurry to get here when you said you found Austyn. I didn't even have time about the certificate...

to apply for leave. I forgot

Kira was disappointed.

Jeise gave a sheepish shrug, "You didn't tell me why you needed it. How was I supposed to know It's important?

He still had trouble believing what he beard

"Are you sure it's Austyn, though? You're not pulling my leg?

Klira didn't spare him a glance.

She started wallding, hurging for a taxt back to the hotel.

'I called you because you're a doctor. Maybe you can give bith a check-up. Find out what's wrong.

And hopefully, find a way to fix it.

Erotomania

Jesse Jogend to catch up with Kira.

She looked serious..

And what she said made sense.

Alba't lost his memory, he'd have reamed to Stamford a long time ago.

Jesse flagged down a taxi forber.

'So we'll come back here tomomow?!

'Mm-boun.'

"Where are you staying?"

A hotel not far from here."

"I didn't get the chance to book a hotel. I'll go with you."

Kita got a call from Bony when they reached the hotel lobby,

Her assistant wanted to know when she'd be back

'I'm on my way up, Kira said and then hung up

'Kin Jesse stopped her.

what?

Jesse assessed her baggard face: "Are you okay?"

she had been acting out of sorts since the hospital.

Her movements were sluggish

Her mind seemed to be a thousand miles away.

If the man she found was truly Austyn, having him treat her a stranger most have been a shocking blow.

Kira shrugged nonchalantly.

She even offered Jesse a smile, 'I'm fine.'

"Are you sure?'

"I'm sure. She touched her chest. "The only thing wrong with me is maybe a slightly elevated beart rate. But that's a good thing. Your heart boats faster when you are happy, right?

she was happy to see Austyn alive.

He was in one piece and wasn't injured or maimed. exclusive content.

He appeared to be in good health.

His mind was as sturpis ever.

Kira was grateful for being granted this miracle,

As for the rest, it didn't matter as much

Lost memory could be recovered.

If it couldn't, she was still glad to see him.

Besides, she was still young

So was he.

They had plenty of time to get to know each other again.

Austyn, or Jason, Betumed to his apartment on church Street

Hetooka shower and came out of the bathroom with just a towel wrapped around his waist.

He stepped onto the balcony and lit up a Marlboro Vinta

Blue smoke curled up in the air, masking his face.

He looked down, sweeping his eyes over his bar upper body.

There were a few old, faded scars on his abdomen.

Another one, about an inch long was on the left side of his chest.

It had a matching exit wound on his back

Austyn could tell it was a gunshot wound.

His right shoulder was also mared by scar tissue left by a bullet.

Austyn tcalled a linger along the scars, feeling their familiar shape.

The scene at the hospital kept replaying in his mind.

The woman, Kira Hewitt, looked stunningly similar to his fiancée, Owen. But one could easily tell them apart after spending five minutes with her. Kira was maybe three or four years younger than Gwen, and a head shorter She spoke with a frankness that made it easy to like her.

She wasn't afraid to display her emotions.

He caught the shocked look on her face when she first saw him, then elation mixed with disbelief when he said he didn't recognise her, followed by anger and hurt and misery when she learned he was about to get married. Try as he might, he couldn't get the woman's face out of his mind.

Austyn took another dragon his cigarette.

He had been thrilled when he realised the woman might be someone from his past.

He was in his mid-thinles now, but his memory consisted of only the past four years.

To him, ignorance wasn't bliss, it was a weakness to overcome.

He was prepared to re-make that woman's acquaintance.

Maybe something she said would jog his memory and be the key to finally unlock the gate to his past

But she seemed, deranged