I Thought I Was The Joke, I Was The Punishment Chapter 08

I Thought I Was The Joke, I Was The Punishment Chapter 08

By late that night, Callan finally accepted that Merritt had disappeared.

He searched every place he could imagine her going.

At their apartment, he entered the door code, but all her belongings were gone.

He went to her office and learned that she’d already resigned.

He searched her usual café and bookstore but found nothing.

Finally, at a loss and with nowhere else to look, he told everyone.

“Merritt’s gone. I can’t find her.”

Merritt’s parents frowned.

“What do you mean, gone? The wedding is tomorrow. What kind of stunt is this?”

Celeste scoffed.

“Pretending to disappear again? Merritt hasn’t changed since childhood. She’s always doing this for

attention.”

Adrian nodded.

“She’s probably hiding because she’s angry. She’ll come back for the wedding tomorrow.”

Their dismissive faces infuriated Callan.

Merritt was missing. Why didn’t any of them care?

He went alone to the Lindenmere Police Department and filed a missing-person report.

A few hours later, an officer returned with an update.

“Mr. Rourke, you may want to brace yourself.”

“We found a report of a collision involving Ms. Voss on Eastmere Boulevard several days ago.”

“A truck struck her. At the scene, she…”

Before the officer finished, Callan rushed forward.

“What happened? What happened to Merritt?”

He was terrified of hearing the answer.

The officer flinched at his outburst.

“Calm down. She survived and is being treated at Lindenmere Regional Medical Center.”

Callan went weak with relief, but he was still trembling all over.

He rushed to the hospital without another thought.

A nurse led him to her room.

Inside, Merritt sat propped against the pillows, quietly flipping through a magazine.

Callan stopped in the doorway, unable to find any words.

Merritt noticed him and looked up. There was no anger or resentment in her eyes.

“Hello. Are you looking for someone?”

Callan’s heart sank as he looked toward the doctor.

The doctor led him into the hallway and lowered his voice.

“The impact to the back of Ms. Voss’s head caused a traumatic brain injury. She’s experiencing retrograde

amnesia affecting memories from before the accident.”

“We can’t predict whether her memory will return or when.”

Callan remained silent for a long time, then nodded.

When he returned, Merritt gave her head a light tap, looking a little embarrassed.

“Sorry. The doctor says I have amnesia, so for now, I can’t remember anyone I knew before the accident.”

“You look really worried. Were we close?”

Callan nodded.

“Yes. Very close.”

Merritt looked at him carefully, then gave him an apologetic smile.

“I’m sorry. I really don’t remember you.”

For some reason, Callan felt relieved instead.

Maybe this was his chance to mend their relationship.

He contacted everyone and told them the bad news.

Within two hours, the hospital room was packed.

Merritt’s mother clasped her hand, eyes wet.

“Merritt, I’m your mother. You really don’t recognize me?”

Merritt looked at her and gently shook her head.

“I’m sorry. I don’t remember.”

Her father turned anxiously to the doctor.

“Doctor, is this real?”