Chapter 155: You Did Well, Sweetheart...

Stella held her more tightly.

"You couldn’t have known this would happen."

"But I should have been there."

"You cannot blame yourself for every decision Amelia makes."

Sylvia pulled away slightly. "She’s confused. She doesn’t remember us properly. What if she thinks I’m a stranger who keeps trying to control her life?"

"Then you must allow her the space to understand her feelings," Stella said gently. "That doesn’t mean you have to stop caring about her."

Stella knew Amelia too well that she wouldn’t act like that if something wasn’t bothering her.

Sylvia looked down.

She knew Stella was trying to comfort her, but the words did little to ease the ache in her chest.

Allow her space.

She could do that.

She could stop calling for a while. She could stop demanding answers. She could give Amelia time to understand what she wanted.

But how was she supposed to stop worrying?

How could she sit at home and pretend everything was normal when she did not even know where Amelia was sleeping?

Mr. Winston stepped closer.

"We’ll speak with the appropriate hospital staff and find out what steps are available to us," he said. "We won’t demand information they’re not permitted to release, but we can ask them to explain the process."

Sylvia nodded.

It was a reasonable plan.

It was also the only plan they had.

She looked at the corridor again, remembering Dr. Bennett’s calm expression and his careful refusal to tell her anything more.

He had not been cruel.

He had not accused her of lying about her relationship with Amelia.

He had simply refused to give her information.

And somehow, that left her feeling more helpless than before.

Stella squeezed her hand.

"Let’s sit down for a moment," she said. "You don’t have to handle everything at once."

Sylvia allowed herself to be guided back toward the chairs.

She sat between Stella and Mr. Winston, her phone resting in her lap. Every few seconds, she glanced at the screen, hoping for a message that never came.

She did not know that Amelia had left because she believed distance might protect them both from further pain.

She did not know that Camila had helped arrange the move or that Amelia had deliberately kept her destination secret.

She did not know whether Amelia was lying awake in another hospital room, wondering if Sylvia was searching for her.

All Sylvia knew was that the woman she loved had vanished from her life without leaving her a way to follow.

And for the first time since Amelia’s accident, Sylvia had to face a truth she had been trying to avoid.

She could love Amelia with everything she had. She could wait for her memories to return and she could promise to remain beside her through every difficult moment.

But she could not decide what Amelia wanted, nor could she make Amelia come back.

Sylvia lowered her head and clasped her hands together again.

"Please be safe, Minnie," she whispered.

This time, she did not ask Amelia to return.

She only hoped that wherever she was, someone was sitting beside her, making sure she was not afraid.

Because even if Amelia could no longer remember being loved by Sylvia, Sylvia still remembered every moment of loving her.

And for now, that was all she had held onto.

The three of them remained seated in the waiting area, surrounded by the quiet movement of hospital staff and the occasional sound of footsteps passing through the corridor. Sylvia kept her phone in her lap, her thumb moving absently over the edge of its case while her eyes stayed fixed on the screen.

Nothing.

No missed call from Amelia. No message from Camila. Not even a short reply telling her to stop calling.

She knew she had to respect Amelia’s space, but the silence was becoming unbearable. Every minute that passed gave her mind another opportunity to imagine something terrible. She tried to push those thoughts away, only for them to return with greater force.

Stella watched her for a while before gently touching her arm. "Sylvia, when was the last time you ate something?"

Sylvia glanced at her. "I don’t remember."

"That probably means you haven’t eaten anything today."

"I’m not hungry, Mom."

"That doesn’t mean your body doesn’t need food." Stella’s voice remained gentle, but there was concern in her eyes. "You’ve been running around this hospital, making calls and asking questions. You need to take care of yourself too."

Sylvia lowered her gaze to her phone. "How am I supposed to eat when I don’t even know where she is?"

Stella sighed softly. She wanted to tell her daughter that everything would be fine, but she knew she could not make that promise. Amelia was not a child who had wandered away from home and could be brought back with a simple phone call. She was an adult who had made a decision, and until they understood what that decision was, there was little they could do.

"At least drink some water," Stella said, reaching for the bottle she had brought with her.

Sylvia accepted it reluctantly. The plastic crackled beneath her fingers as she twisted the cap open. She took two small sips, barely noticing the cool water as it passed down her throat, then closed the bottle and returned it to her mother.

Stella did not insist.

Mr. Winston had been quiet for several minutes. He sat on Sylvia’s other side, his hands resting on his knees, his expression troubled. He had hoped that coming to the hospital would provide some clarity, but so far, they had received little more than uncertainty.

He turned toward Sylvia. "You said the doctor mentioned the patient relations office."

Sylvia nodded. "He said they could explain the proper process for making a request. But he didn’t promise that they would give us any information."

"Then we should speak to them."

"Do you think they’ll tell us where Amelia went?"

"I don’t know." Mr. Winston stood and adjusted his jacket. "But asking them about the process is better than sitting here hoping someone will suddenly give us an answer."

Sylvia looked at the phone in her lap before slowly rising. "All right."

Stella stood beside her and rested a hand on her shoulder. "We’ll go together."

They followed the signs toward the administrative section of the hospital. The corridor was cooler than the waiting area, and the bright lights reflected off the polished floor. A cleaner pushed a trolley toward them, the wheels making a soft, uneven sound as she moved aside to let them pass.

Sylvia barely noticed her surroundings. Her mind was still occupied with Amelia.

She remembered the way Amelia had looked at her before the accident, the easy affection in her eyes whenever Sylvia entered a room. She remembered how Amelia would reach for her hand without thinking, how she would lean against her when she was tired, and how she sometimes complained about Sylvia worrying too much.

Back then, Sylvia had thought they would have years to experience all those ordinary moments.

She had never imagined that one day Amelia might look at her and see a stranger.

The thought made her chest ache.

They reached a reception desk outside the administrative offices. Mr. Winston spoke to the receptionist, explaining that they needed guidance about a patient privacy concern. After checking which department could assist them, the receptionist directed them to a smaller office farther down the corridor.

A woman seated behind the desk welcomed them when they entered. She introduced herself as Mrs. Collins, a patient relations officer, and invited them to sit.

"What can I help you with?" she asked.

Mr. Winston explained the situation without raising his voice. He told her that Amelia had been receiving treatment at Brighton Memorial Hospital following an accident, that she had been experiencing memory difficulties, and that her family and partner had been unable to establish where she was.

He did not accuse the hospital of hiding anything. He simply asked what steps they could take to understand the situation.

Mrs. Collins listened carefully, making a few notes before placing her pen on the desk.

"I understand why you’re concerned," she said. "However, patient confidentiality is important. We cannot disclose a patient’s medical records, treatment details, or location to another person without the appropriate authorization."

Sylvia leaned forward. "Even if that person is her sister?"

"The nature of your relationship is something we would need to consider alongside the applicable privacy requirements and any authorization the patient has provided. Being someone’s family does not automatically grant access to all their confidential information."

Sylvia felt the familiar knot tighten in her stomach.

"I understand that you have rules," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But Amelia has memory problems. She was recovering from an accident, and now she has disappeared. We’re not asking because we want to interfere with her life. We just want to know that she’s safe."

Mrs. Collins’s expression softened. "I understand the distinction you’re making, Miss. Your concern is clear. But I cannot disclose confidential information simply because you are worried, even when that concern is genuine."

Sylvia looked down at her hands.

She knew the woman was not trying to hurt her. She could hear the professionalism in her voice and see the sympathy in her expression. Still, it was difficult to sit in a room and explain how much she cared about Amelia while being unable to prove that her concern should grant her access to information.

Mr. Winston leaned forward slightly. "Is there a way for us to leave our contact details in case Amelia wishes to reach us?"

Mrs. Collins nodded. "You can provide your contact information and ask that it be passed on if an appropriate opportunity arises. However, I cannot promise that she will be contacted or that you will receive information about her."

"That is fair," Mr. Winston replied. "We would appreciate having the request recorded."

Mrs. Collins took out a form and placed it on the desk. Mr. Winston filled in his details first, followed by Sylvia’s phone number. Sylvia watched him write, feeling a small measure of relief that there was at least something they could do without demanding access to Amelia’s private information.

When the form was complete, Mrs. Collins reviewed it before placing it in a folder.

"I will record your concerns and the contact details you’ve provided," she assured them. "If Miss Winston wishes to contact you, or if circumstances permit an appropriate communication, the relevant staff can consider your request."

Sylvia nodded slowly. "Thank you. If Amelia contacts the hospital and asks for help, will someone assist her?"

"Of course," Mrs. Collins replied. "Any patient who requires medical attention or support can seek assistance. Our responsibility is to provide appropriate care while respecting their privacy."

"Even if she doesn’t remember her family properly?"

"If a patient is experiencing memory difficulties, the medical team will assess their needs and provide appropriate support. I cannot discuss Miss Winston’s individual circumstances, but the general principle is that patients should receive the care they require."

Sylvia absorbed the answer quietly. At least Amelia would not be denied help because she could not remember them.

That thought gave her a little comfort, although it did not ease the fear of not knowing where Amelia was.

"Thank you for your time," Mr. Winston said as he stood.

Mrs. Collins nodded. "I hope you receive some clarity soon."

They left the office and returned to the corridor. The door clicked shut behind them, and Sylvia stood still for a moment, staring at the handle.

She had hoped the meeting would give her a way forward.

Instead, she had another form, another set of rules, and another reminder that Amelia’s decisions were no longer within her control.

Stella moved closer. "You did well, sweetheart."

Sylvia gave a small, tired shake of her head. "I don’t feel as though I’ve done anything."

"You came here because you were worried. You asked for help without trying to force anyone to break the rules. That’s something."

"But I still don’t know where she is."

"I know." Stella did not add anything else. She simply took Sylvia’s hand, offering the quiet comfort of her presence.

For a few moments, Sylvia allowed herself to stand there without trying to find another solution.

Then Mr. Winston spoke.

"We should go home for now."

Sylvia turned toward him immediately. "Home?"

"Yes. We’ve spoken to Dr. Bennett, and we’ve spoken to patient relations. We have left our contact details and asked for the appropriate process to be followed. Staying here won’t give us information that the hospital cannot disclose."

"What if Amelia comes back?"