Stuck in The Marriage Pact
Chapter 68: they are liars

Chapter 68: they are liars

Isabella could only remain silent as she tried to recall what had happened, but the effort only made her head throb. Her breathing quickened, her hands were clammy with cold sweat, and her stomach churned. She wanted to get up from the bed but lacked the strength. Suddenly, her attention was drawn to the door that had just opened. Her eyes landed on Joe, who stood frozen, staring at her.

"Who are you? Do I know you?" she asked, confused.

’She doesn’t remember me? She’s really lost her memory,’ Joe thought to himself. ’This is good—I can take her away from here before Hunter finds out and comes looking for her. I can give her a better life than Hunter ever could... He’d only drag her into misery because his mother doesn’t like her!’

"Hey?" Isabella tried to sit up.

Joe immediately approached Isabella and embraced her. "Oh, darling... I was so worried about you. I’m so glad you’re safe!" He released her from the hug and smiled warmly at her.

Isabella frowned, staring at Joe’s face, which was so close to hers that she could feel his breath. "But... but who are you?" she asked.

Joe smiled and slowly sat on the edge of the bed, gently taking Isabella’s hand in his and looking into her eyes.

"I’m Joe... And the doctor has already told me about your condition. It’s okay... I’ll take you away from here. We’ll go somewhere that will help you remember who you are and your past—even who I am to you," he said softly.

Isabella furrowed her brows and lowered her gaze to their joined hands, her attention suddenly drawn to the ring on her finger.

"Are you my husband?" she asked.

"Uh..." Joe’s heart raced nervously. "I... I’m not..." He smiled and noticed the ring on her finger.

"We’re not married yet, but we’re going to be!" he lied, then lifted her hand and caressed the ring. "I gave you this ring when I proposed to you... a few days ago," he added, lying again.

"Really?"

"Yes!" Joe quickly pulled his phone from the pocket of his black jacket and opened the gallery, showing photos of him and Isabella together. "Look, if you’re unsure, you can see this. We are together—you love me so much, and I love you just as much."

Hesitantly, Isabella took Joe’s phone and observed the photos of them looking so close and happy—kissing, hugging, and more.

’He’s not lying... but why does this feel so strange?’ she wondered, glancing back at Joe. ’If I love him, why does he feel like a stranger to me? Why don’t I feel anything special for him?’

"Hey?" Joe gave her a nervous smile. "Are you remembering anything about us?" he asked.

Isabella shook her head. "I don’t even know who I am."

Joe sighed and took her right hand again, smiling with an intense gaze.

"Trust me, I can help you remember everything... I know this is overwhelming and stressful, but we’ll fix everything soon, okay?" He raised his eyebrows slightly. "We need to leave here now..."

"Why now?"

"Um... Because..."

"I don’t feel strong enough. My head hurts so much!" Isabella emphasized.

"I know... But we can’t stay here too long. We have to go back to our house... It’s not far from the hospital. We can go there instead of staying here. This is an expensive hospital, and the cost will be too high," Joe explained nervously.

"Our house?" Isabella squinted at him. "We already live together? Why don’t you just take me to my family’s house instead?" she asked curiously.

Joe bit his lower lip, avoiding her gaze.

"Well..." Isabella lay back down, holding her head. "My head hurts so much... I’m confused. Who am I? Why can’t I remember anything?" she said, frustrated.

"Honey..." Joe gently pulled her right hand. "You’ll keep stressing yourself out if you stay here. Trust me... Once we get home, you’ll start to remember your past, and you’ll know who you are!" he pleaded.

Isabella remained silent, her eyes glistening with tears.

"Actually..." Joe exhaled deeply, lowering his gaze momentarily before looking back at her. "I’m sorry I have to tell you this painful truth, but it’s the reality. You don’t have a family anymore... You only have an uncle, but he treated you very badly. That’s why you decided to stay with me..."

"Really?" Isabella whispered.

Joe nodded. "We’ve been relying on each other for years, not just a short time. I’m really sorry I haven’t been able to make you happy yet... Maybe this isn’t what you expected. I mean... I’m just a poor man... That’s why I can’t let you stay here too long—the hospital costs will be too expensive," he said sadly, lowering his head again.

"I’m so sorry..."

Isabella stayed quiet, watching Joe while recalling the photos he had shown her on his phone.

’Maybe he’s not lying... After all, he has evidence. Maybe I just feel uneasy because I can’t remember who he is... Maybe it’s true that I’ll start recalling my past if I follow his suggestion. And if he turns out to be a liar, I can always leave him once I’m stronger,’ she thought.

Joe stood up from the bed.

"Honey... I’m sorry I can’t give you a choice," he said nervously, biting his lower lip briefly. "We have to leave... I really can’t afford to pay for the hospital if you stay here any longer," he added.

Isabella nodded.

Joe smiled, leaned down, and kissed her forehead. "I’ll call the nurse to remove your IV," he said.

Isabella remained silent, letting Joe leave. She stared at the ceiling, trying to remember, but she couldn’t. Her gaze shifted back to the ring on her finger.

"This is a beautiful ring. It must’ve cost a lot of money to buy it... How could he give this to me if he’s poor?" she muttered. "And if he says he loves me, why won’t he let me rest here for just one more day to recover from this headache? This feels so strange!"

Isabella glanced at the door and saw Joe returning with a nurse.

"Hey," Joe greeted.

"Ma’am, I’m going to remove your medical equipment," said the blonde-haired nurse in a blue uniform.

Isabella remained silent, keeping her gaze on Joe.

’Why does he feel like he’s not my boyfriend?’ she wondered.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Joe asked, smiling. "Are you trying to remember who I am in your life?"

"Yes," Isabella answered curtly, but deep down, she thought, ’He keeps smiling at me like he’s enjoying my condition. Shouldn’t he be worried?’

"Once we leave here, you’ll truly feel comfortable resting at our home," Joe said, but his attention shifted to the door that opened again. This time, Juliana walked in, smiling and carrying a blue designer bag on her shoulder.

"What’s going on? Why are the medical devices being removed?" Juliana asked, frowning.

"My boyfriend wants to take me away from here because he can’t afford to pay for my treatment," Isabella answered, occasionally glancing at Joe.

Joe stayed silent, lowering his head and clasping his hands in front of his stomach.

"Really?" Juliana turned to Joe. "You’re doing this even though you know your girlfriend hasn’t fully recovered? What are you thinking? Don’t you feel sorry for her? What if there’s something serious in her head, especially since she can’t remember her past or even who she is!" she exclaimed, showing her emotions.

Joe remained silent, looking away.

"Okay..." Juliana exhaled sharply and turned back to Isabella. "If you’re in pain or uncomfortable, come back to the hospital. I’ll provide the money." She immediately pulled out a significant amount of cash from her designer bag and handed it to Isabella.

"Here..."

Isabella frowned, staring at the large amount of money in front of her.

"I’m really sorry I can’t help much, but I hope this can ease your burden," Juliana said.

"Why are you doing this? You’re giving me a lot of money even though you don’t know me. Or... do you know me?" Isabella asked curiously.

"Oh, sweetie..." Juliana sighed and smiled with a furrowed brow. "Please don’t doubt me... I’m doing this purely to help you. Especially since I know the reason you’re leaving the hospital early is because you don’t have money, because your boyfriend here doesn’t have money. Of course, I’ll help you!"

"That’s enough!" Joe snapped irritably, approaching Isabella but keeping his eyes on Juliana. "Thank you for helping her, but now I’m taking her away. I know what’s best for her, and that means your involvement is over," he said firmly.

"Alright..." Juliana nodded. "It seems someone is offended by my words, so I’ll just leave." She smiled thinly and glanced back at Isabella.

"Get well soon, and I hope you regain your memories," she said before leaving.

Isabella watched Juliana slowly fade from her sight.

’Is it true that she’s just a stranger to me? But why does she seem familiar... And why does Joe seem to dislike her?’