Forsaking the Years of Longing
Forsaking Billionaire 87

Chapter 11

Matthew's heart clenched violently, his pupils shrinking as if an invisible hand had gripped him tightly.

"What... are you talking about?"

His voice was low, trembling with suppressed rage, as he struggled to process the butler's shocking revelation.

"Sir, please stay calm. Go see for yourself-it's better than taking my word for it," the butler said with a mixture of sincerity and helplessness.

Taking a deep breath, Matthew tried to steady the turmoil in his chest. Finally, he followed the butler and made his way to the hospital, the weight in his heart growing heavier with every step.

When they arrived, Matthew wasted no time. He pushed open the door to the hospital room with urgency, his voice trembling as he called out:]

"Daphne..."

On the bed, Daphne slowly lifted her head. Those once warm and smiling eyes now reflected only confusion.

She frowned slightly. "Excuse me, who are you looking for?"

Matthew's heart sank to the bottom of an abyss. He stared at Daphne, stunned, the woman whose gaze had once been so familiar now looked at him like a stranger.

Suppressing the shock coursing through him, Matthew stepped closer, placing his hands gently on Daphne's shoulders. His voice softened to a whisper, the sound of his own heartbeat almost drowning out his words:] "Daphne, it's me. Matthew. I'm your husband. Do you really not rememberme?"

Daphne shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion. "I'm sorry, I don't know you."

A sharp pain pierced Matthew's heart, as if needles were stabbing into his very soul. He stumbled back a few steps before rushing out of the room, his voice frantic as he cornered a nurse in the hallway. "What's going on? Why is she like this?"

The nurse quickly explained, "Are you Ms. Walker's family? She underwent a memory erasure procedure two days ago at our hospital..."

"Memory erasure?!" Matthew's voice shot up, cutting her off. He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

"Who gave them permission to do this? Who agreed to it?!"

Before the nurse could answer, hurried footsteps echoed behind him, and the next thing Matthew knew, a fist landed hard on his face.

Staggering back, Matthew nearly fell, only to be struck by a second punch before he could recover.

Swallowing the pain, he turned to see Jonathan Walker, Daphne's older brother, standing behind him. Jonathan's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched tightly, and his face twisted in anger. "You still have the audacity to ask? Do you think the Walker family exists just for you to trample on?!"

A trickle of blood ran from the corner of Matthew's mouth, but he didn't wipe it away. He stood still, his expression complex as he looked at Jonathan.

"Jonathan, I." Matthew tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat, like a blockage he couldn't force past.

"If it weren't for the little mistress you brought into your house, would my sister have booked that procedure ten days ago?!"

Jonathan's voice roared with fury.

Ten days ago? Daphne had already decided to erase her memories back then. And yet, Matthew was only realizing it now...

He froze, his mind buzzing with the revelation, unable to move or respond.

Jonathan grabbed Matthew's collar and shoved him toward the glass window of the hospital room.

Stunned by the sudden action, Matthew struggled to focus his vision. Through the window, he saw Daphne sitting quietly on the hospital bed.

In that moment, it felt like his heart was torn apart, pain and regret surging through him in equal measure.

He wanted to step back into the room, to see her up close, but Jonathan shoved him to the ground with force.

"Matthew, mark my words: everything my sister is going through is because of you!" Jonathan's voice thundered as he loomed over him.

"If you have even a shred of decency, stay far away from her.

Don't ever show up in her life again!"