I regained consciousness.

Grandfather stood at the edge of the bed. It was the first time I’d seen him in a long while. Just him. No parents. No bodyguards. Just him. It was as if I’d ended up on the gates of heaven, and was about to be judged by the devil.

Yet, his demeanor was anything but devilish.

“You’re awake. How are you feeling?” he asked.

“I—” I froze, realizing that this wasn’t my bedroom. The pristine white walls. The uncomfortable bed. The rhythmic beeping. The tube stuck in my arm.

“What happened?” How did I end up in a hospital?

“You don’t remember?” He walked to my side, slowly.

“Remember? I—I mean—Ow!” There was a sharp pain in my abdomen.

“Careful now. Lay still, okay?” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “You really don’t remember anything, my child?”

I couldn’t. I couldn’t remember the day before. I couldn’t even put together what date it should’ve been. The events of what should have been the past few months all blurred. I remembered the man I loved. I remembered being with him. I… thought I did, at least. The more I scoured my memories, the more confused I got. I couldn’t see his face. His voice. His personality. I faintly remembered—a thought. A bad thought.

I couldn’t find the bad thought.

I shook my head. “Where am I? What happened?”

“Hush, now, my little blowfish. All will be well now.”

“What happened?” I begged.

He blinked, choosing his words carefully. “You have been stabbed.”

“Oh, God. I—”

“I told you not to move!”

“Sorry! I’m sorry, Grandfather. I’m—Ngh.” It really hurt.

He sighed. “Listen to me very carefully now. You were involved in a murder case. Do you remember that? No? Very well. You were one of the witnesses. Tres Bien? Do you remember that? Nothing? In any case, the man who was responsible for the murder used you. I’m afraid you took the betrayal badly.”

“I… stabbed myself?”

He nodded. “Indeed.”

I still didn’t understand. “A man… used me? How? What happened?”

“It’s a long story, my princess. Please rest. For now.”

“Grandfather—”

“Rest! Please. No good will come if you try and force yourself to remember. Cherish the bliss.”

“I will not.”

“The only thing suffering currently is your body. Don’t punish your mind, as well.”

“You—”

“The punishment is, of course, inevitable. Few people, however, get to choose when it’s dished out to them. I suggest you remember that.”

I grit my teeth. “Yes. Yes, Grandfather.”