Chapter 0854
Theodore reappeared in Peter’s room shortly after, carrying a set of clothes. Peter looked at them and couldn’t believe the man’s terrible taste. Everything looked outdated or at least, that was his impression. But he didn’t say anything.
“Alright, Theodore. Let’s go home.”
Dr. Wagner, upon seeing Theodore, didn’t hesitate to sign the discharge papers. After almost a month, Peter finally stepped outside. He breathed in the same air he had been inhaling inside the hospital, but somehow, it felt different. It felt like freedom.
“Theodore? Why the hell did you buy me something so old–fashioned?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The clothes.”
“That’s what you normally like to wear.”
“Oh, so you’re telling me that in my current life, I dress like an old man? No offense…”
“I’ve told you that a million times, but you like dressing this way. You look formal. Though, I’ll admit, sometimes it does make you look a lot older.”
“Can we buy something else? I don’t feel comfortable in this at all.”
“Fine. We can stop by a store on the way home.”
“Thanks.”
Peter was still struggling with the realization that he was no longer 25, and the clothes certainly weren’t helping Theodore thought it was a minor detail, but for Peter, it was an overwhelming sensation–one that felt suffocating.
“Stop the car,” Peter said suddenly, pressing a hand to his chest and throat.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need some air… I need to take this off… I need new clothes.”
“Peter, it’s just clothes…”
“No! It’s not just clothes! It’s everything! Take me somewhere I can buy something else!”
“Alright, alright. Let’s get you some new clothes.”
After visiting a few stores, Peter was finally dressed completely differently. The tightness in his chest slowly faded. While Peter browsed for clothes, Theodore received a call from Alden. The young man sounded panicked- he had gone to visit his father at the hospital only to be told he had already been discharged. Theodore reassured him, explaining that Peter was with him, going through what he called a “fashion crisis.”
“Alright… We can go now,” Peter finally said, now wearing a completely different outfit.
“Mmm… Are you feeling better now?”
“Yeah. Let’s go home.”
As they drove, Theodore finally spoke up.
“What the hell was that?”
“What was what?” Peter asked, noticeably calmer.
“That whole meltdown over clothes.”
“Theodore, tell me… How would you feel if you woke up, could only remember a few years of your life, and suddenly everyone looked at you with pity?”
“Uh… I don’t know.”
“Well, I feel like I’m suffocating. And then seeing the clothes you brought–it just made everything more real. Realizing that the person I think I am in my head isn’t actually who I am today… it sent me into some kind of crisis. I still don’t know what I’m going to do about everything–my family, the people around me, and especially Celeste.”
“Well, take your time to think. Try to calm down. One thing you taught me is: observe, analyze, and then act. Give yourself a chance to get to know your present. If your memories are stuck at 25, trust me–what you have now is way better.”
“Let’s get home. I’ll figure it out there.”
Theodore drove for a few more minutes and then pressed a button in his car, opening the gate to a massive estate. Peter frowned.
“Where the hell are we going?”
“Home,” Theodore answered. “We’re here.
“This… this isn’t my house.”
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