2.6 | Forget Me Not ✓

+10 || bellis perennis

Her cheeks heat and she looks away, feeling very much like the first time they started dating. "So how did you find me?"

"Your friend Scout. My family knew where you were, but not your exact address. She was the one who told me after she dropped off a pot of daisies from you—which I'm guessing is also important?"

"Only if you want it to be."

"I do, actually," he says, unexpectedly. Her eyes flicker up to meet his in surprise. It seems that, amnesiac or not, he's still as honest as ever. "That's what I've been trying to tell you ever since I removed my wrist brace, but then you left without saying goodbye. Was it because of Flo?"

"No, it's—"

"Because if it's her, she already told me the truth. After you talked to her, she apologised to me and asked for a switch of rooms. She also wants me to tell you that she's really sorry for the hurt she caused you."

Emma nods in quiet understanding. As horrible as Flo's actions were, she's often willing to give the other woman the benefit of the doubt because, after all, she was Dylan's first. And someone who Dylan once loved couldn't be all that bad, could she? "It's not Flo," she assures him. "I moved on because I didn't want to fight with Flo, but I didn't leave because of her."

"Then, why?"

She hesitates for a moment, before she gives in with a sigh. "It's not your ex, it's mine. You got hurt because of me."

He stares at her like she's speaking a foreign language. "No, I got hurt because of him. We were both at the trial—he's the one responsible for the accident. Just because he's your ex doesn't mean that you have to take responsibility for his actions."

"It is because of me. You might not remember this, but I was the one who sent him to jail a long time ago, and he's never forgiven me for it. That letter was meant for me—he hurt you to hurt me. I just—I feel really apologetic towards you and your family, and I didn't know how to face you all. I left because I didn't want to hurt you again."

He frowns. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. I thought you were supposed to be smart. That's what everyone tells me."

Her jaw drops in indignation. "I—I am smart!"

"Not when it comes to relationships, clearly," he points out, and she falls silent because it's kind of true. Even in their relationship, she's always looked to him for guidance. "Look, we all know what that note means. Morgan told me about your past with Keith, and I put the rest together on my own. Mom and Dad aren't upset at all—if anything, they're really grateful to you and your dad's team of lawyers for putting Keith back behind bars. He can't hurt me anymore," he says, before adding, in a quieter voice, "But you did, when you left."

Her eyes widen. "I didn't mean to. I didn't want to upset you again after that whole thing with Keith, and I was just giving you some space—"

"Fuck space," he says bluntly, and she blinks. He flushes, looking a little embarrassed by his sudden outburst, but continues softly, "I know that, when I woke up, it was what I wanted from you. I was hostile and rude and downright suspicious, and you really obliged and gave me all the space I wanted. But I don't want that anymore. I just want you."

She stares at him, barely able to believe her ears. When she doesn't say anything, he takes yet another step forward, never once looking away from her.

"I want you to help me remember," he says. "And even if I can't, I want you to tell me what I've forgotten, what I've missed out on. I want you to help me create new memories, and I swear I won't forget them this time round. But, more than anything, I just want you."