Forbidden Flames

Chapter 15

George

My grip tightened around the letter the moment Maria mentioned Leo’s name. My hands trembled as I scanned the words, my heart pounding.

‘Happy early birthday, Leo. Three weeks left. Enjoy the peace while it lasts.’

The message hit me like a blow to the chest. For a long second, I just stared at the words, unable to look away.

When the shock finally wore off, I sat up abruptly… and only then did I notice Maria was still standing quietly across the room, watching me.

She furrowed her brows slightly, sensing the shift in my mood. “Is everything alright, sir?”

I forced a calm nod, masking the storm building in my chest. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Thanks for bringing this. You can go now.”

She hesitated, like she wanted to say more, but eventually gave a slow nod and turned to leave.

Just as her hand reached the doorknob, I spoke again… my voice sharper this time.

“Maria.”

She turned back immediately.

“From now on, make sure Leo’s room is heavily guarded. He doesn’t go anywhere unless I personally approve it. Understood?”

She blinked, taken aback, then gave a quick, firm nod. “Yes, sir.” Then she turned and walked away without another word.

Even after she left, I couldn’t take my eyes off the letter. The words kept echoing in my head, refusing to let go. Something felt wrong. Deeply wrong. Like a storm was brewing and we were right in its path.

I sprang out of bed and headed straight for the door, flinging it open. Without wasting another second, I headed directly to Alice’s room. Thankfully, the door wasn’t locked.

I twisted the knob and entered in one quick motion. The sudden movement startled Alice… she jerked upright, her eyes darting around the room until they finally landed on me.

Her face twisted in a frown… half surprise, half concern. “What are you doing in my room this late?”

I didn’t waste time. I walked over and sat on the couch opposite her bed, facing her directly. “I came to talk.”

Her brows pulled together, tension rising in her eyes. “Talk? About what?”

“About us,” I said quietly, leaning forward. “About Leo.”

Her frown deepened. “What about us?”

Without a word, I reached into my pocket and pulled out the letter, placing it gently in her hands. “Read this.”

She unfolded it quickly, her eyes scanning the lines. The moment the words sank in, her entire expression shifted. She looked up, panic flooding her face. “Leo,” she gasped, springing to her feet. “What do they want from him now?

Why do they keep coming after him and not me?”

“Calm down, Alice.” I stood up too, taking her hands gently in mine. “Leo’s going to be safe. I swear it.”

“But they know everything,” she said, voice rising as her frightened eyes locked onto mine. “They know his birthday, they know about the gala… and now they even know where we’re hiding. George, they’ve already cornered us.”

“Not on my watch.” My voice came out low but firm, my grip on her hands tightening. “I need you to believe me when I say none of this is going to happen. Thomas is just a coward who likes to send threats to rattle us. That’s all this is.”

She stared at me hard, her fear still burning. “And what if it’s more than just threats? He has personal details… about me. Things no one else should ever have access to.”

“That’s just one of his twisted games, Alice,” I whispered, my voice calmer now, more reassuring. “Sure, he may have some of your personal details and know where we are… but if he ever wants to get to you or Leo, he’ll have to go through me first. And I swear, I’m not backing down from this fight until I know, without a doubt, that you’re both safe… and finally free from his pathetic, empty threats.”

Alice looked at me, her eyes searching mine like she was trying to make sense of everything I had just said. Then she nodded… slowly. “Thank you, George. If everything turns out the way you’ve promised, then I owe you more than I can ever say.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” I murmured, my voice dipping into a low, rough whisper as I leaned in, close enough to feel her breath brushing against my skin.

I let go of her hands, placing my palms flat against the wall on either side of her face, boxing her in gently. “This… all of this… it’s my responsibility. From the very first moment I saw you in my father’s house, something in me shifted. I fell for you then. I've loved you long before you even knew who I was.”

The panic in Alice’s eyes melted into something softer… something undeniable. She held my gaze, unflinching. “I’ve always loved you too, George,” she whispered, almost like a secret slipping out. “That night when it all began… it felt like I hit the jackpot. You had everything I’d ever dreamed of in a man.”

“Well… I still do,” I said with a teasing grin.

She laughed softly, tapping my bare chest. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” I chuckled, “but I’m your ridiculous.”

Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of conflict. “Yeah, well… except now, you’re technically my stepson.”

A faint frown tugged at my lips, but I didn’t let that deter me. My hand moved gently to her face, cupping her jaw as I leaned closer. “Maybe on paper. But in my heart, I’ve never seen you that way. Not even for a second.”

Then my lips found hers. I kissed her… softly at first, then deeper… as my hands slid up to the sleeves of her nightdress. I began to tug them down, but she pulled back suddenly, her breath shaky.

“I… I’m sorry. I can’t,” she whispered, wiping her lips with the back of her hand.

“Why not?” I asked gently, inching forward, my eyes searching hers. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No! Of course not.”

“Then what is it? Why the sudden stop?”

She hesitated, her eyes hardening with a mix of finality and regret. She sank back onto the bed, burying her face in her palms. “George… you’re still my stepson. Don’t you see? This isn’t right.”

A heavy sigh escaped my lips, and I sat beside her, letting the silence stretch for a minute before I met her gaze again. “I get what you’re saying, Alice. I really do. But can you at least try to see it from my side too? None of this is our fault.”

My voice was lower now, more sincere. “I love you. And I’ve only ever seen you as someone I want to build a future with… not some title someone else forced on us. We’re not even related by blood. What we feel… it’s real. And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.”

I paused for a moment, my eyes locked on hers, the air thick with unspoken emotion. “Unless, of course… you don’t love me.”

“George, don’t say that,” she said quickly, her voice low but firm.

“Then why do you keep treating me like I’m invisible? Why do you keep pushing me away every time I try to show you how much you mean to me?”

She exhaled deeply, dragging a hand through her tousled hair, visibly helpless. “I love you too, George. I do. I just…”

“You’re afraid of what the world will say, aren’t you?” I cut in, my voice softer now… but firm.

She froze. No words. No denial. Just silence.

And I knew right then… I’d hit the nerve.

It has always been about the world. About the whispers, the judgment, the scandal. Never about what truly made her happy… or what we could be together.

I understood the fear. I’d had my own fair share of public shame, of watching people twist stories to fit their narratives. But somewhere along the way, I stopped caring. I stopped letting the noise drown out what mattered.

It was time Alice did the same. It was time she stopped living for the world… and started living for herself. For us.