Chapter 23

Outside of Drew's hospital room, the surgeon stops. She turns to face the anxious three adults with the nurse. "He's alive, but he's not out of the woods yet."

"Oh thank you!" Margaret feels like she could faint from happiness. She has been exhausted worrying about her only child. Even Brianna is shedding tears of relief. Nicholas lets out a breath too, but he likes to remain serious.

Nodding, the surgeon adds, "He lost a lot of blood. We bandaged his broken bones, but he will be here for a couple of weeks and maybe even months."

"Can we see him already?" asks the eager Brianna, which makes the surgeon annoyed.

However, the surgeon understands that these people are worried and just want to see Drew. Sighing, she replies, "He has serious head trauma. We don't know how it will affect him until he wakes up."

Mrs. Hayden brings her handkerchief up to her eyes again as more tears come out. "As long as he's alive, I'm fine with that."

Brianna, though, isn't so sure she could be with a brain damaged man, or even a man who isn't mobile. What if Drew can't walk anymore? What if he can't speak? What if he's a vegetable? If she files for divorce, then the Haydens get half of her fortune. While Brianna has been crushing on Drew for years, she doesn't think she can be with someone who she'll have to support every day for the rest of his life.

The surgeon nods. "You three may enter, but please keep it down. He needs to rest." She then opens the door, and Margaret rushes inside first.

The three see Drew battered and bruised as he's hooked up to various machines. There are beeping noises, and the once handsome man looks nothing like he's known to look like. This just brings everyone to more tears, even Nicholas who finds his wife in his arms. Is this really their Drew? Out of all the years he has been reckless, why is it that this time is the time he gets seriously injured? Did he want to leave this world this badly?

The next day, the news has caught on about Drew being in the hospital. Soledad obviously hasn't prepared anything to say, but that's why she's not the only public relations expert in Hayden Corporation, though she is the best, especially for matters involving Drew. May called the orphanage and Ms. Lovely to let them know she will be back later and to not wait for her. Mrs. Wakana has since left, but a Wakana driver is in the parking lot for whenever Brianna is ready to leave.

Solidad and May had been informed that Drew is alive, however he's fighting for his life right now. No one is sure how he will come out of this, and the doctors believe he is in a coma. It could be months before anyone knows the extent of his injuries, especially his brain damage. This news just aches both women's hearts because they care for Drew dearly as his friends.

The doors to the private waiting room open, but neither women look up. "You may go see him now."

Mrs. Hayden's voice now makes May and Solidad turn their attention to her. They see Nicholas behind her and he is avoiding eye contact. "Okay." Solidad answers while standing up.

Margaret's sharp eyes meet May's exhausted blue ones. "Brianna has left for the day. See Drew and I expect you to keep your part of the deal."

Ever since hearing about Drew being alive, May has started thinking about her new fate away from the orphanage and him. Away from this city. She gives Mrs. Hayden a firm nod. May won't go out weakly. She will show them that they are strong and that this world doesn't faze her. "I understand. Thank you." May then follows Solidad down the hall, leaving the Hayden parents in the waiting room.

"You should go to the company." Margaret tells Nicholas.

The man sits in a chair. "It's a shame she isn't from a wealthy family." Nicholas likes May's energy and her strength, but that's not enough for this world.

Sitting beside him, Margaret replies, "I know." She then takes a deep breath. "But you should go to the company, Nicholas. You know you want to."

The man shrugs. While he has seen Drew is alive, Drew is still fighting for his life. How can a father leave their only child to suffer alone? "That's why we have board members and phones."

Despite not loving him, there are certain aspects about Nicholas that have made marriage with him bearable. In the beginning, he saved her father's company, even if it was just to marry her because she was a beauty who knows how to run a business. Occasionally, there'd be other moments she'd witness her husband's strength in this cruel world, which enticed her. The two would only spend time together for professional purposes, but seeing him here as they support their son shines a different light on him. Margaret can agree that she and Nicholas weren't as involved with Drew as they should have been, however they still care about his well-being.

"Should we allow him to divorce Brianna?" the woman asks.

Nicholas shakes his head. It's one thing to care about his son, but it's another thing to go against the rules of this world. "You know that's not possible unless she proposes it." Sighing, Margaret leans back in her chair because she knows he's right. This is one cruel world, which everyone can agree on, though everyone keeps following its rules.

In Drew's hospital room, Solidad and May had cried as soon as they saw him. How is it that this once handsome man can look this lifeless? He doesn't deserve this, even if he put himself in this situation. They each sit on one side of his bed holding one of his hands each. May brings his hand to her lips as she kisses it and cries into it.

"You're so stupid!" she snaps at the unconscious man.

Solidad agrees with May. She'll let May talk because Solidad isn't sure she can form any words right now. She hates seeing her friend like this. Drew is like a younger brother to her who she's been trying to protect for years now. However, she couldn't protect him this one time and now he's fighting for his life.

"You made your choice." May says shakily after a while, which makes Solidad curiously look at her. "So now, I'm making mine."

When May lets go of Drew's hand and stands up, Solidad gasps out, "May-"

May's cold blue eyes make the older woman flinch. "Goodbye, Drew." The brunette's tears are falling uncontrollably as her heart breaks all over again. It's been breaking repeatedly this week, especially the past 24 hours. "I love you." She whispers and walks away from the bed.

Solidad quickly stands up to prevent her from leaving the room. "Don't go, May!" she exclaimed.

"I had a deal." May knowingly tells Solidad while tears fill both women's eyes. "This is the best for everyone."

"No! You don't need to leave! Let me talk to the Hay-"

"Solidad." May's calm voice as her soft hand is placed on Solidad's shoulder makes the older woman stop speaking. "This is the best way to save the orphanage. I already have too many enemies in this world who will keep harming the orphanage to get to me. At least now, I know the children will be safe."

"Please, May!"

The brunette softly shakes her head. "Don't let him know I was ever here. He needs to think I hate him." May is surprised her shaky voice hasn't broken yet despite her flowing tears.

Taking in a deep breath, Solidad can only nod. Drew made his choice, and as much as Solidad wishes he chose happiness, she knows she can't force either May or Drew to do anything. "Good luck, May."

"Thank you, Solidad." May then leaves the room as Solidad goes back to her friend's bedside to cry.

"It's all your fucking fault!" She exclaims to him. "You're so weak, Drew!"

Before leaving the hospital, May braces back her tears and makes sure her breath is level. She needs to do this because it'll be her last time being able to do so. Entering the private waiting room, she spots the Hayden parents who curiously look at her since she was barely gone 20 minutes.

"We had a deal." Nicholas sternly says because he figures May must be here to try and convince them to let her stay.

May gives them both warm smiles. "I'll be leaving now. You'll never have to see or hear from me again."

"Good." Nicholas crosses his arms in annoyance. How dare she think she can come and say her goodbyes, like this is a power trip move of hers?

May remains unfazed by his cold tone as her firm gaze doesn't waver. "I love Drew, but I promise you, I won't ever contact him. And I'll make sure the orphanage doesn't either."

"You may leave now." Margaret tells May.

Letting out a breath, May nods gratefully. "Drew has always wanted a family. I hope you two will be able to give him that when he recovers." With that, May walks out of the room, leaving the Hayden parents annoyed by her arrogance.

"She's infuriating." Nicholas spats.

Sighing, Margaret replies, "It's a shame she isn't from our world."

Orphanage

"May…" Ms. Lovely watches the brunette packing a small suitcase. After coming back earlier today, May's face was very red and puffy, but she took it upon herself to help out at the orphanage. She spent the whole day with all the orphans, and even took time to hang out with them individually. Everyone assumed it was a way for her to cope with her broken heart, but now, Ms. Lovely sees it's because May is leaving.

Once the orphans were all put to sleep, May had asked Ms. Lovely to stay for the night. Ms. Lovely thought it was because May needed support due to her heart ache, however when she went to check on May, she sees this current scene. May isn't even trying to hide it anymore, although she did wish to sneak out tonight. She had left an individual letter for everyone in the office.

"I have to leave, Ms. Lovely." May says without looking up from her packing.

Sitting on the bed, Ms. Lovely gazes warmly at her. She's reminded of the first day she met May. The sniffling 5 year old who just lost her whole family in a horrific car accident. The little girl who grew stronger after every failed foster. The girl who protected her heart from pain and who made this place feel like a home.

Ms. Lovely can't bear to see her leave, even if the children leave when they're 18. It's painful every time, but it's especially more painful because May has been here for so long. Who will care for the children now that she's gone? Who will be selfless enough to? Ms. Lovely is getting old, and she doesn't trust anyone besides May.

"Can we talk about it?" Ms. Lovely offers.

She has always been a mother figure to May, though May stopped relying on her when Brenden arrived at the orphanage. Looking at the shoe box on her desk, May knows it contains everything from him. She won't take it. She needs to move on without anything reminding her of him, which means she won't even bring anything that reminds her of the orphanage.

Zipping up her suitcase, May shakes her head. "No." She then faces the older woman. "I'm sorry, Ms. Lovely." Standing up, Ms. Lovely envelops May in a hug that makes the young woman cry again. This elderly woman's soft embrace is very comforting after everything May has gone through.

"Wherever you go, this will always be your home, May." Although Ms. Lovely is curious about where May will be going, she won't push it. May seems to be in enough pain leaving the man she loves and her family after losing hers years ago. Ms. Lovely can only hope for the best for the young woman, though Ms. Lovely knows May will thrive wherever she goes.

"Thank you, Ms. Lovely." May gives her a tearful smile when the two pull away. She then walks out of the room, leaving the shoe box and her keys on the desk. When Ms. Lovely hears the front doors shut, the older woman wipes her own stray tears. These moments are always bittersweet, but this time, it's just bitter.

A Few Months Later

"What?" the groggy green haired man asks again. Ever since waking up yesterday, people have been bombarding him with information. When he woke up, his mother went hysterical. Soledad cried, and she just recently left the room. According to everyone, he's been in a coma for months now, and he's lost the past three years of his life.

"Drewy bear, we're married." Brianna smiles while showing him her wedding ring.

Drew furrows his brows. Since when did he get married? And why? When he first woke up, his shock sent him into a panic attack, which caused the doctors to tell his family to keep information to a minimum. "Why?"

Brianna smiles at him. She's grateful that Drew isn't a vegetable. Since he's been in a coma, his wounds have healed nicely, though he's still very weak. And it seems like he doesn't have any brain damage besides for his lost memory the past 3 years. "Because we love each other, silly!" She grips his hand tighter. "I was so worried about you!"

Margaret nods at her son. "Brianna hasn't left your side." It's a lie. Brianna had barely visited while Solidad and the Hayden parents spent most days at the hospital, especially Solidad who never left Drew's side. However, the Hayden parents want Drew to love Brianna, or at least like her enough for the marriage to work. Their company needs this merger, and Drew's comatose state had jeopardized that greatly.

He's too weak to do anything but speak quietly, so Drew asks, "What happened?" He had heard about his drunken car accident, which he isn't surprised about. He's driven and sped drunk plenty of times. It's about time that caught up to him, and he's lucky to be alive. It really has turned a new leaf in him because he almost died. Plus, seeing all these people worry about him, and he can't remember anything about them these past few years, terrifies him. He'll stop being selfish and reckless. Besides, he's married now too. He needs to grow up and stop all of this carelessness.

"You got into a drunk driving accident." Margaret replies.

Drew weakly shakes his head. "No. What happened these past three years?" Fortunately, Brianna has a wild imagination of things she's always dreamed of doing with Drew, so she will inform him of a bunch more lies about their relationship.

Nicholas isn't in the room because he's making arrangements with everyone on what they can speak to Drew about. He will erase the media files about Dawn objecting at the wedding. There will be nothing tying Drew to the orphanage, and now that May Maple is gone, no one will mention her. The only things people can talk about are the corporation's growth, and Drew and Brianna's love for one another. This is how everything should be.

Giving her son a warm smile, Margaret gets ready to lie to him along with his wife's help. "Well, Drew...

Petalburg City

"Congrats, Brenden!" May happily exclaims while tackling her friend and roommate in a hug.

Blushing, he pats her back. "Heh. Thanks, May." He had just found out that he will be graduating this fall.

After May left the orphanage, Brenden picked her up, and they made their way out of the city. The two have moved to Petalburg City, which is close enough to Little Root Town that Brenden's dad doesn't worry too much. It's also where May was born, and she can visit her family's grave from time to time. Being away from the orphanage, May has felt very lonely, so she's grateful to have her family's graves nearby. Plus, Brenden and his father keep her company often.

She's avoided anything on the news relating to Hayden Corporation, so she has no idea how he is doing. May really hopes the orphanage is okay, but she doubts Mrs. Hayden would go back on her word. Fortunately, no one has tried to contact her since she left. Solidad must have told Dawn, or Dawn must have given up on them. May doesn't care anymore because that's all in the past.

Brenden has been taking online classes at LaRousse Law School, but he doesn't plan to go back there for graduation due to the pain that city has on May. The two friends are still just friends, and Brenden is giving May space to get through her heartbreak while he supports her. Although she seems happier now, he still hears her occasionally cry at night.

"We have to celebrate!" May exclaims.

Brenden chuckles. "I haven't graduated yet."

"But you're about to! I know you'll pass the rest of your classes!" May then rushes off to the kitchen of their small apartment.

The cost of living in Petalburg is a lot cheaper than LaRousse City, but it's still too much for one person to pay for. May has been working as a full time retail assistant at a clothing store in the local mall while Brenden is working part time at a law firm doing inventory work. He hopes to get a full time position there once he graduates.

She opens their draw of takeout menus while pulling out her phone. "What do you want?" She calls out to the living room.

Brenden sits on the couch because he'll let the excited May order food. She's always so excited about food. "It doesn't matter!" He yells back, although he wants to say he wants her. Blushing, Brenden buries his face in his hands. Gosh, he doesn't have the guts to say that.

"Okay! Don't complain when I get anchovies!"

"Please get me something you know I'll eat!" Brenden sighs back with a smile on his lips. May is not a picky eater, and neither is Brenden, but weird food doesn't sit well with him, like anchovies or brussel sprouts.

May grins as she picks up a menu for their favorite pizza place, which is also affordable because they're on a budget. She's used to budgeting due to running the orphanage for years. However, before May can call the pizza place, she gets an incoming call. Seeing the name makes her send the person to voicemail. She really should've blocked them. No. She'll just get a whole new number once she can afford it.

Nevertheless, the person calls back, and they keep calling. Before May can block the number and have some peace, the person decides to send a text: Please pick up, May. Drew's awake.

While May glares at her screen, she contemplates Solidad's words. May has already been getting over that old life of hers. That old love of hers. How dare Solidad try to drag her back into it! Solidad and Dawn continue to drag her into things where only she gets hurt! It's not fair. Therefore, May texts back, I'm blocking you. Leave me alone.

When May goes to Solidad's contact to block her, an incoming text makes her stop: He has amnesia.

Good. May closes her eyes in frustration and her heart is aching again. However, it's good that Drew lost his memory. Now he won't be hurting anymore and he can love Brianna whole heartedly. He can immerse himself in that world of his that he put before her and the orphans. Even if he claims he did it for the orphans, May knows she wasn't enough for him to risk giving their plan a shot. Heck! She risked the orphanage by coming to his wedding that day!

Nevertheless, May finds herself answering the phone as Solidad calls again. "What?" the brunette annoyedly asks.

"He's lost all his memories of the past few years. Like from a year before he met you." Solidad breathes out.

"Good." May replies. "That's better for everyone."

"May…"

"I don't get why you're telling me this. I already left. Don't call me again."

Before May can end the call, though, Solidad says, "He's arrogant again. And reckless, like from before he met you. May, please come see him. Maybe you can restore his memories?"

"Stop being selfish, Solidad!" May shouts, which gets Brenden's attention as he rushes into the kitchen. May ignores his concerned gaze because she's very upset right now. "We were never supposed to be together! That's why the universe kept driving us apart, and that's why he lost his fucking memory! And don't you dare tell him about me! This is exactly how our lives should be! Now leave me alone or I will get a restraining order against you!" May abruptly hangs up and blocks Solidad's contact before any more messages can make her do otherwise.

Brenden walks over to put a hand on May's shoulder, which makes her flinch. She had forgotten he was here. "May…"

She gives him a reassuring smile. "It's over now, Brenden. And once I get a new number, we'll never have to worry about them again."

Although he wants to ask her more questions, he doesn't. Brenden still has a long way to go to earn May's trust again. Besides, he's the only one she has, so he can take his time. He likes her, and he hopes she will grow to like him again. It helps now that they're roommates. Returning the smile, he grabs the pizza menu from the kitchen counter. "So sausage and olives?"

"Stuff crust!" May adds, which makes him chuckle. He loves days like today because it'll be a movie and pizza night. Almost like a date night, despite them being just friends.

May is grateful for Brenden. He helps distract her mind from her pitiful thoughts. Since Drew has completely forgotten about her, it's a sign she needs to completely forget about him too. Life was much better without him, and life with him has taken away so much from her. She can't allow anything else to be taken from her again. Grabbing Brenden's arm as his other one is raised holding his phone to his ear, May smiles up at the curious blushing man ordering their pizza. "Don't forget anchovies!"

Yes. I made Drew lose his memory. LMAOOOO. I never EVER wanted to do this. I always found fanfictions making people lose their memories stupid. That's why I never wanted to do it. However, those fanfictions always get a lot of views and favorites, so let me just be a sell-out. Plus, this story is perfect for having someone lose their memory.

I watch a lot of k-dramas, and the main guy ALWAYS loses his memory. It's so stupid because he loses it in a stupid way. And the acting for the injury is usually terrible too. So as you can tell, I hate the "amnesia" shit.

Anyway, this story is like a kdrama (Korean Drama) story, so I guess I gotta throw in the cliche amnesia scene. :P Plus, It brings in more drama and makes the story longer. Like I said, I HATE myself for having this idea during my 1 month hiatus, but here we are. xD Until the next chapter!