Chapter 20

When Clarisse came to, pain split through her skull. A groan slipped from her lips as she struggled to open her heavy eyelids. "Clarisse! You're awake?" Theodore leaned in instantly beside the bed, his eyes bloodshot with worry. It was only then that Clarisse realized someone had been holding her hand the whole time. She instinctively tried to pull away, but the grip tightened. She blinked at the handsome yet unfamiliar face in front of her. Something about it made her skin crawl. "Who… are you? Where am I? My head… It hurts…" she said weakly. "Theodore. I'm Theodore Brooke," he answered immediately with a gentle voice. "I'm your fiance. This is our home. You had a terrible fever and were unconscious for days. You almost scared me to death." He reached out to feel her forehead, his touch gentle. "How are you feeling now? Does it still hurt? The doctor's on his way." Fiance? Clarisse stared at him, dazed. Her mind was in a jumbled mess. Scattered fragments of memories started to