Chapter 26

Hayden visited the hospital for routine checkups. With some free time, he decided to call Henry in to learn about the previous day's events.

“Mr. Parker, your relationship with your wife seems to be going very well,” Henry remarked, his tone a mix of awkwardness and caution. He wasn't sure what he'd done to warrant such concern, and Hayden's stern expression warned him to be careful.

Hayden stood with his back to Henry, hands clasped behind him, his gaze sweeping over the patients and their families below. “What are the side effects of that medication?” he asked, his voice a low rumble.

“Well, it’s nothing too severe—just a temporary surge in libido,” Henry replied confidently. “Staying hydrated helps flush it out quickly. It’s not a hush-hush topic, especially in our demographic. Everyone has their secrets, and the medicine, despite its risks, usually offers more benefits than drawbacks.”

Hayden cut him off, his frustration palpable. “I seem to have lost a chunk of my memory.” Forgetting crucial moments was a significant concern.

Henry’s face changed instantly. He stepped closer, his voice tentative. “Memory loss? When did this occur?”

“Not long after taking that medicine. I woke up here in the hospital,” Hayden said, unable to fill in the blanks but certain something was amiss.

Henry looked perplexed. “You forgot when the medicine kicked in? That can happen—intense arousal can lead to temporary amnesia. But normally, the medicine wouldn't cause this. Could it have been an overdose?”

Hayden’s jaw clenched. “An overdose! Yvonne was the one who brought me that coffee. If she was behind this, why wouldn’t she just admit it? Or is she playing a deeper game?”

“Arousal and still functional?” Hayden questioned.

“Absolutely. The body takes over instinctively. Plus, with that high a dose of medication, if you hadn’t been intimate, there’s no way you would have calmed down so quickly,” Henry replied confidently. That kind of buildup needed to be released; otherwise, it would have been unbearable.

But Henry remembered when Hayden was brought to the hospital—he had been asleep, and his body wasn't hot at all. It was clear he had already satisfied his urges.

Hayden considered this. “Henry, being an experienced doctor, wouldn’t speak without reason. So, Yvonne was hiding something. Why the secrecy? It isn’t like her.”

Sensing Hayden’s sudden silence, Henry gently reminded him, “Mr. Parker, that medication is potent. It’s best not to use it too often.” Hayden might have been young, but he wasn’t immune to the long-term dangers of overuse. Even someone who seemed invincible could face serious consequences.

Hayden gave Henry a sidelong look, his eyes burning with intensity. “This stays between us.”

“Of course! Understood?” Henry, momentarily stunned, nodded vigorously. Despite the age gap, Hayden’s authority was undeniable.

Henry subtly wiped the sweat from his brow. “No need to fret. The memory loss is likely due to neural excitement. In a couple of weeks, everything might come flooding back.”

“Really?” Hayden’s spirits lifted, his eyebrows arching. The idea of regaining those memories was appealing; relying on Yvonne’s version of events made him uneasy.

“Absolutely! How dare I lie to you?” Henry continued to dab at his sweat, his anxiety palpable. He wouldn’t lie unless he had a death wish.

After leaving the hospital, Hayden called Richard. “Where’s Yvonne?”

“Mrs. Parker is at her desk, probably prepping for lunch,” Richard replied, his voice a murmur, but clear enough to overhear.

Was he keeping tabs on me for Hayden? Great, now I was under surveillance. I gathered my things, deciding to ignore them, and made a swift exit from the secretary’s office.

Lunchtime arrived, and I was about to head to the company cafeteria. Having married Hayden right after graduation, I’d never really experienced the workplace. This position at Parker Group was my chance to get a taste of it.

As soon as I stepped into the cafeteria, the buzz of conversation died down, and all eyes turned to me with curiosity. They didn’t seem to expect such a down-to-earth move from me.

“Mrs. Parker? You’re here to eat?” someone asked.

“Sure am,” I smiled. “What’s on the menu today?”

“There’s braised beef.”

“And steak!”

“I think the fish looks great.”

Everyone chimed in as I joined the line, picked up a tray, and served myself some food. Parker Group’s cafeteria was set up like a buffet, offering various dishes to suit everyone’s tastes. As I balanced my tray, scanning for an open spot, I ran into Joanna.

Standing next to her was Lidia Kerry from the marketing department. I’d seen her before when Hayden was making his rounds. She had a commanding presence and always dressed to impress. I hadn’t expected Joanna to make friends so quickly.

“I didn’t expect you to dine with the common folk, Mrs. Parker,” Lidia said, her tone flat but her eyes carrying a hint of mockery. It was as if she was saying, “So this is Hayden’s wife!”

I’d seen that look many times. When I first married Hayden, people were curious about me. Once they found out more about who I was, they often smirked, as Lidia did. How ridiculous it all was—giving everything up for...

It was hard at first. I had wanted to live up to the title of Mrs. Parker. But looking back, I saw how foolish that was.

Feeling provoked by Lidia’s comment, I retorted, “Just because I’m a Parker doesn’t mean I’m above anyone else. Even Hayden eats in the cafeteria now and then. If you’re questioning me, you’re questioning Hayden.”

Whatever Lidia’s intentions were, my words hit home. Her face drained of color instantly.