The Confession

Chapter 6

George 

The moment I saw her, standing right there in front of me, my mind went completely blank. For a minute, I thought my eyes were deceiving me.

I had searched for her everywhere for six whole years after that ugly incident, but I had absolutely no luck finding her. And now, just when I thought I would never see her again, she resurfaces, standing right before me, still as beautiful and elegant as ever.

The sight of her alone made my heart race. 

I locked my gaze on her, my eyes lost in her soulful eyes, when the little boy ran forward and wrapped his hands around me.

My hands caught him instinctively, and the minute my gaze fell to his face, my breath stopped.

No way!

He looked exactly like me. A perfect reflection of my younger self. I glanced up at Alice who was still frozen where she stood, then back at the boy. 

I still couldn't believe my eyes.

Could it be…

“What's going on here?” Alice's voice echoed, snapping me out of my messed up thoughts. She hurried forward and grabbed the kid, pulling him back to herself. Then she turned to me, her voice trembling with panic. “I'm sorry about that, sir. Leo is just that way with strangers.”

Leo…

That was his name.

And… how come she didn't recognize me? Was she pretending to not know who I was, or she really had forgotten what I looked like?

I stood to my feet and slid the chair backwards, walking up to the front of the desk. I folded my arms tightly around my chest as I leaned back on the desk, my gaze still not leaving hers.

“Alice,” I said the name again, but this time, softer. “You really do not recognize me?”

Her eyes narrowed, as if trying to search her memory. Then she shook her head reluctantly. “I… I don't think I do.” She said quietly, her voice uncertain, like part of her wasn’t so sure.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as my gaze drifted back to the little boy. It was all starting to make sense now.

Leo was my son. It was just so obvious.

How could Alice not see it?

How could she not recognize the man standing in front of her… the same guy who had slept with her six years ago? How could she not notice the striking resemblance between Leo and I?

Well, anyway, none of that mattered now. 

What mattered was that she was here now. And I needed to do everything in my power to protect her.

Six years ago, when Thomas discovered she had the flashdrive… the one with proof of all his illegal dealings, he tore the city apart looking for her. But he never found her. She had already left the country before any of us could get to her.

And now that she was back, if Thomas found out… he wouldn’t think twice before coming after her again. And this time, he wouldn’t fail.

I had to tell her the truth, no matter how much it might hurt.

“I… I need to tell you something,” I said, my voice unsteady as I tried to calm my racing heart. I stepped away from the seats and made my way back behind the desk. “Before anything else… Please, have a seat.”

She looked up at me, her brows slightly arched in suspicion. But she didn’t protest. She sat down, gently guiding the little boy into the chair next to hers.

“Here, sweetie, take this,” she said, handing him a tablet and curling his small fingers around it. The boy squealed in excitement as he grabbed it. Then she turned her attention back to me, leaning back into her seat. “Alright, Mr. Brooks. I’m listening.”

I let out a deep breath, leaning a bit closer to the desk as I locked my gaze on her. “What I’m about to say might sound insane… but I need you to stay calm. And I’m sorry… really sorry if this breaks you in any way. I just can’t hold it in any longer.”

Her jaw tensed, confusion flashing in her eyes. “What’s this about, Mr. Brooks? You’re starting to scare me.”

“Just… promise me you won’t get angry,” I said, my voice low.

She nodded quickly, her expression pleading. “I promise. Just tell me.”

I ran a hand through my hair, the weight of what I was about to say choking me. My words stuck in my throat. And the entire time, Alice's eyes never left mine.

I cleared my throat and straightened up. “So… I… I just thought you should know…”  

By now, an impatient frown had already settled on her face. She was clearly losing her patience. I swallowed hard, struggling to steady my voice.  

“I… I’m George. George Brooks.”  

Her eyes widened instantly, her lips parting in shock. She sprang to her feet, disbelief written all over her face as she stared directly at me.  

“No… no, that can’t be true… Tell me it’s not true.”  

I stood up too, reaching for her hands, but she pulled away before I could get close.  

“It’s you,” she breathed, her voice suddenly rising. “You’re George. George Brooks… the man who almost ruined my life. My name. Everything. It’s really you!”  

“Please, Alice. Just calm down, I didn’t…”  

“Don’t you dare tell me to calm down!” she cut me off, her voice cracking through the room.  

The little boy looked up now, alarmed. He turned to her, his eyes wide with confusion. “Mom? Are you okay?”  

“Yes, sweetie, I’m okay,” she said quickly, wrapping her arms around him and rubbing his back gently. She pulled back and gave him a soft look. “I’m so sorry I scared you, baby. But we need to go now.”

“But why, Mom?” he asked, glancing between the both of us. “Don’t you want to stay and spend some time with daddy anymore?”  

Alice froze. Her lips pressed into a thin line before she placed a finger gently across his lips.

“Shhh… listen to me, Leo. This man is not your father. You can’t go around calling just anyone daddy, alright?”  

“But he…”  

“No more words, Leo. Come here.”  

She crouched slightly and lifted him into her arms, then turned sharply. “We’re leaving. Now.”  

“Alice, wait!” I called after her, rushing towards the door.  

But before I could make it past the door frame, the door slammed shut behind her, the sound echoing right in my ears.  

“Damn it!” I hissed, rushing back to my desk. I grabbed my phone with trembling hands and quickly dialed the security.  

“I need info on the woman who just left. Now.”