The smell of disinfectant filled the hospital room.
Adrian opened his eyes slowly, his temples throbbing with pain.
"Mr. Blackwood, you're awake," a nurse said softly.
He ignored her, sitting up with effort. His head felt heavy, but his instincts were sharper than ever.
The last thing he remembered was—
rain, headlights, and a soft voice calling his name.
A voice that shouldn't exist anymore.
He looked down.
A tiny figure peeked from behind the curtain—
a little boy with gray eyes.
"Who are you?" Adrian asked, his voice low, hoarse.
The boy blinked, clutching a small drawing pad.
"I'm Ethan."
"Ethan," he repeated, his gaze narrowing. "What's your last name?"
The boy hesitated, then smiled innocently.
"Moore."
Something inside Adrian snapped.
Moore. That name hit him like a blow to the chest.
His hands clenched on the bedsheet.
The nurse spoke up nervously.
"He's the child who helped you, sir. His mother is waiting outside."
"His… mother?"
Before Adrian could ask more, the door opened.
A woman stepped in—slim, elegant, her face hidden beneath a cap.
Her scent hit him first.
Soft, familiar. Like jasmine in the rain.
He froze.
It couldn't be.
But when she finally lifted her gaze—
those eyes.
Those same gray eyes.
The world fell silent for a heartbeat.
"Mr. Blackwood," she said calmly, her tone too polite, too distant.
"I'm the one who brought you here. You don't need to thank me."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
He could hear his pulse pounding in his ears.
"I see…" he murmured, eyes fixed on her face.
"Then at least… tell me your name."
A brief pause.
"Elena," she said quietly.
"Elena Carter."
Adrian's expression didn't change,
but something dangerous flickered in his gaze.
> Elena.
Carter.
The name felt like a lie.
And for the first time in years,
Adrian Blackwood wasn't sure what was real anymore.
💬 Can you recognize someone just by their scent?
👉 Tell me in the comments — I'm curious!
🌹 Suspense Focus: Is "Elena Carter" a lie?
Hook Sentence:
> "Elena Carter," she said. But her voice trembled like someone lying to herself