The Fake Wife

Crushed Hope

Jake

After the playground excursions and lunch, the kids were exhausted and needed a nap. I used the opportunity to do some work. I could not be around Alison much longer. She already had inserted herself into my plans.

But after a while, I took a break and searched for her. Alison was on her knees, gathering all the toys in the playroom. I noticed that she did everything related to the children herself, and Amanda touched nothing.

I picked up a firetruck from the corner and returned it to the toy bin. "So Alison, last night you said you remembered about you being at school. Did you remember anything else?"

I was eager to know everything. Yesterday, we did not talk about her treatment. I need to call Doctor White this week.

She stopped and raised her neck to look at me. It was clear she did not want to discuss that. "Yes." She shrugged and returned to her chores. "Maybe I remember it because Tommy was colouring before I left. The colours kept playing in my head during the drive to the clinic."

"Okay, but that's good news, don't you think?" I pushed further. Did she remember something else and was hiding it from me?

"It wasn't a pleasant memory, Jake."

She did not look, but I noticed her mood worsened. Was it because of her memory or because I was not a devoted husband in front of the mothers at the park? We were there to play with the children. I would not be by her side the whole time. I like giving my boys attention.

"Did you remember anything else, anything at all?" I squatted down, helping her to gather everything to see if it would make her talk.

She stared at me. "Is that something specific you would like me to remember?"

Should I scream at her? YES!!! That you are not my wife!!!! But of course, I could not do it and just shook my head, adding another toy to her collection.

"I'm just making conversation, Alison. I thought you would be happy that I am interested in your recovery."

Alison took a deep breath. "The doctor wants to see me three times a week, Jake. I can't be that long away from the children. They need me."

Is that the problem, then? She did not want to go to New York that often and returned late.

"I told you, your treatment wasn't negotiable, Alison. It will be good for you to leave the house. My mother can look after them. It won't be a hassle for her."

"Okay. If you say so." She looked back at the toys and pouted.

"I know so, Alison! Trust me, this is the best for you." I gave her the smile she always melts for to fix the situation. The last thing I wanted was for her not to go through with the treatment. That might be the only shot I had to get rid of her.

Putting the last toy into the bin, I got up. "I need to get back to my study now. I have a few more calls to make."

Alison finally smiled and nodded her head. Perfect, she was back to her usual self, and I could leave without feeling bad.

***

"Hello, Doctor White. Alison said she remembered something from when she was in school. That means she remembers things, right? When will she get her memories back? I need you to tell me it will be soon."

Doctor White finally returned my five thousand calls. Jessica already thought I was sick because I asked her several times to connect me with the man.

"Alison remembers nothing, Mr Stewart. She's projecting those memories inside her mind. It's widespread for patients who have lost all their memories to imagine things, make up stories, and believe those are their memories. Nothing that she said in her sessions aligned with the background provided. The image she pictured, colours and places she described differed completely from the places she had been as a child."