Forget Past for New Romance

For the sake of his childhood crush, Mauricio had left me countless times. We were just about to sign our marriage license at the courthouse when a call from Aurora—the same Aurora he always rushed to—came through. I held his hand tightly, desperation in my eyes.

"Can't you stay? Just until we finish signing the papers, please?"

The photographer was urging us to get ready for the pictures. Mauricio looked dashing in his tailored suit, tall and handsome. But his face lacked any joy or excitement you’d expect from a groom-to-be; all I saw was worry for another woman.

"Sweetheart, let's come back another day. Aurora's not feeling well; I need to check on her."

Not feeling well again? The same excuse he'd used to leave me five times in just one week? The party girl who spent her nights out dancing and drinking was now acting like a fragile damsel—and my boyfriend just couldn't see it. I pleaded with him, holding onto his hand, begging him not to go.

"Please, just this once, can't you stay? We're supposed to get married today!"

But it was as if Mauricio was under Aurora's spell, turning the tables and blaming me for not being understanding.

"Her condition is serious; how can you compare your issues to that? Why can't you be more understanding, like Aurora?"

With a forceful jerk, he pulled his hand away from mine, walking out of the courthouse without a backward glance. I was left there, heartbroken and sobbing uncontrollably.

In that moment, my heart shattered. Memories of the countless times he had left me flashed through my mind. I pictured Aurora holding Mauricio’s hand, mocking me as the jilted bride.

My tears ruined my carefully applied makeup as I cried until I passed out. Perhaps if I became as delicate and "considerate" as Aurora, he might comfort me. Would Mauricio ever regret this? Would he ever treat me with the kindness he showed Aurora?

It didn’t matter anymore. I knew there was no future for us. When I came to, I realized I had lost my memory—but of all the faces I could remember, Mauricio’s was the one I'd forgotten.

When I opened my eyes, the stark white hospital ceiling loomed overhead. My parents stood beside me, their faces etched with worry, tears threatening to overflow. The doctor had explained it was respiratory alkalosis, brought on by an intense emotional episode that caused me to faint.

My mother hugged me, gently stroking my head. "Sweetheart, are you alright? Are you really alright?"

"Mauricio just took off at such a crucial time?"

"He left my precious daughter like this—thank goodness it wasn't more serious."

"Otherwise, I'd never forgive him."

The sharp smell of disinfectant hung in the air, and confusion settled over me. Mauricio? Who was Mauricio? I didn't know anyone by that name, did I?

Before I could think further, more people hurried into the room. My parents' business partners, Thaddeus Hughes and Blaire Lopez, rushed in to see me.

Blaire, as lively as ever, jogged over and wrapped me in a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Clare. It's my fault for raising such a jerk. How could he do this to you?"

Thaddeus placed a gift on the bedside table, his face still clouded with anger.

"Clare, don't worry, I'll make sure to confront Mauricio about this. What a fool!"

Mauricio? Who on earth was Mauricio? From the sound of it, he had done something terrible, but I couldn't recall a thing.

Confusion filled my mind as I desperately tried to figure out who Mauricio might be. Seeing my struggle, my parents exchanged worried looks, their anxiety resurfacing. They clasped my hand tightly, their eyes full of concern and love.

I looked at Blaire, who was alternating between tears and swearing. Finally, I found the courage to voice my uncertainty.

"Who exactly is Mauricio? Why does everyone keep mentioning him? I really don't think I know him."

My question made all four adults spring to their feet. My father, looking startled, rushed out to get the doctor to arrange a brain scan for me. When the results came back, they were presented to the doctor.

The doctor explained it was memory loss due to emotional trauma.

I blinked in surprise. Memory loss? It didn't seem too severe since I remembered everyone else—everyone except this Mauricio character. Why was that? I couldn't quite understand. Maybe he was unimportant to me, so he just slipped from my memory.