Chapter 519:

Following the surgery, Dorothy was unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness, she felt as if her life's most precious treasure had been restored. She awoke as if summoned by destiny.

She looked intently at Morgan and whispered, "You're finally back, Janet."

Elyse and Jayden were stunned. They hadn't anticipated that Janet Lawrence, the woman they'd been searching for, was Morgan.

Morgan stared at Dorothy, her lips parted slightly. She wanted to clarify things. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but you've mistaken me for someone else. I don't know you. I'm Morgan Welch." The words caught in her throat.

She observed Dorothy intently, trying to understand the woman's profound familiarity. Dorothy's wrinkled face, a testament to time, and her aged appearance stirred a sudden urge to weep within Morgan.

Instead of correcting Dorothy, Morgan softly asked, "Why have you aged so much?"

Dorothy remained serenely calm, her gaze fixed on Morgan, whose tears now streamed down her cheeks. She offered a tender, maternal smile. "You've aged as well, Janet."

Morgan puzzled over why Dorothy's words moved her to tears, or why seeing Dorothy was so unsettling.

Morgan wept and explained, "I'm not Janet. My name is Morgan Welch. You're confusing me with someone else. I have no family. Perhaps I'm crying because your kindness overwhelms me."

Dorothy softly repeated the name, "Morgan," gazing intently at her. "Janet, you are my daughter. I have no doubt. I am very old and could die at any moment. But I've clung to life because I have a mission to complete."

Confused, Morgan asked, "A mission?"

Dorothy looked at her with grave seriousness. "Your arrival marks its completion. Even though you've forgotten your name, you have your own mission to fulfill. The truth about Rickey's death lies with you."

Rickey? Morgan wondered who he was. The name echoed, unlocking fragmented memories. She remembered a boy from school—they'd stayed up all night hiking and watching the sunrise. Floods of childhood and adult memories surged through her mind, then halted and dissipated, leaving her mind blank.

A dazzling white light appeared, and a tall, dark silhouette emerged. A figure approached, stopping three feet away.

Though Morgan couldn't see his face, shrouded in darkness, she felt safe, not afraid. She sensed he was smiling.

"Who—who are you?" Morgan asked, fear in her voice.

The man sighed, a note of tender exasperation in his voice. "Jane, when will you remember me? You know I need you badly."

He slowly advanced.

"No, stay back! Don't come any closer!" Morgan cried, panic rising. She instinctively raised her hands to stop him.

But he moved effortlessly through her arms. With surreal grace, he opened his arms and seemed to merge with her being.

In that bewildering moment, Morgan felt as if he was embracing her. He was a spectral shadow, yet his longing was palpable.

Rickey? Rickey Benson!

His identity was suddenly clear.

"Argh!" Morgan clutched her head, screaming in pain.

Elyse rushed to her side, concern etched on her face. "What's wrong, Morgan? Are you feeling unwell?"

Panic flashed across Morgan's features as she slowly turned to Elyse. "That man, he says I've forgotten him. I don't know who he is… I forgot him… I forgot him."

She repeated the words, lost in her torment. Despite Elyse's attempts to reach her, calling her name repeatedly, Morgan seemed trapped in a distant world. She collapsed into unconsciousness.

Elyse tried to support her, but Jayden stepped forward, steadying Morgan and preventing her fall.

"Call the doctor," Jayden said firmly. "Tell them she's fainted from shock."

Elyse nodded, hurrying from the room to get help.