What are you hiding?

Lee’s Pov

I didn't know why Brian's face stayed in my mind like that. His eyes reminded me of something I'd lost or maybe never had. As I drove, I gripped the wheel harder than I should, my knuckles pale from the pressure. The road was a blur. My thoughts weren’t with me, they were somewhere else entirely.

"Is that it? You just want a child to run to you when you get home?"

The question came out loud before I could stop myself. I felt ridiculous talking to no one, but it was better than silence. I didn’t have an answer. My mum’s voice slipped back into my mind like an old wound tearing open: “You need a son, Lee. Someone to carry your name. Who’ll inherit all this when you're gone?”

That word, ‘inherit’ really pulled me out more than I expected.

“I can’t cheat on my wife,” I muttered under my breath. But saying it out loud didn’t stop the memory from breaking through, the one I tried to bury.

Six years ago at onne terrible night, I had one terrible choice. Rita and I had fought. I was angry, drunk, and reckless. And then… her. I still don’t know her name. She disappeared before morning like she was never real. But she was. I remember her touch. The way she looked at me that night, like I mattered. Sometimes I wonder if she’s still out there thinking about that night. Sometimes I wish I could feel that way again. I shook my head.

“No. That was a mistake. A stupid one.”

Still, part of me wanted to see her face again. In fact, I don't really know her face. It was dark and I hated myself for what happened that day. I let out a short, bitter laugh.

“Are you crazy, Lee? What do you think this is, a movie? You’re not going to marry her.”

I stared ahead at the empty road, my heart heavy. The memory of that woman kept tugging at me. But it wasn’t just about her. It was about something missing. Something I never admitted, not even to Rita. That’s probably why I told Brian, Violet's son,

“Whatever you need, I’ll give it to you.”

Why would I say that to a boy I barely know? Why did I leave my VIP card with him? I’ve never done that so easily, not even my own nephew. Maybe it’s because I don’t want Violet’s kids to feel what I felt. like no one really wanted them. And yet, while my thoughts circled around those twins, I still drifted back to that night.

“Enough,” I said aloud. “Just stop.”

I needed to talk to someone who would understand. Someone who knew the whole story. I reached for my phone. I couldn’t even wait to get home. I dialed Andrew's number and the phone rang. My heart thudded faster. Then his voice came through.

“Hello? Lee?”

“Yeah. I’m here.”

“You called and didn’t say anything. You alright?”

“I’m… driving. Just thinking.”

There was a pause. Then Andrew said it, straight to the point. “Don’t tell me you’re still thinking about that woman from six years ago.”

I stayed quiet.

“Seriously, Lee?”

“I’m not looking for her,” I replied. “But... I don’t know. Something feels unfinished.”

Andrew let out a sharp breath. “You’re married. You love Rita. Why are you letting this ghost from the past mess with your head?”

“Andrew, how many times did I call your name?” I snapped, trying to laugh it off, but my chest still felt tight. Because he was right. But that didn’t make it easier.

“Twice, sir. My boss,” Andrew said, trying to sound playful. “Come on, Lee. I’ve known you all my life. I can hear when something’s eating you up. We’ve been like brothers since we were kids. I stood by you when your dad walked out, and your family treated me like one of their own. I’m not looking for praise, but it hurts when you shut me out.”

He paused for a second, then added, “You don’t want to admit it, but even thinking about that woman makes you feel guilty. That says a lot about your character. What happened six years ago was a mistake, but…”

“I just want to know why she left without saying anything,” I cut in. “I told her that night I would help her. I planned to give her some money to get back on her feet, but she vanished.”

“You still have the earring she left behind, don’t you?”

“How do you expect me to track someone down with just a single earring?” I sighed and added. “Forget that. I called because Violet, my wife’s friend, came back to town. She’s not alone. She came with twins. I don’t think the father’s in the picture. From the way the boy looked at me… it broke something in me. Like a mirror of my own past.”

“So what now? You want to adopt him?” Andrew asked, quieter now.

“I just want to be part of his life. A godfather, maybe. Someone he can run to. That boy deserves more than silence and empty promises.”

“What about your wife? Won’t she see this the wrong way?”

I held back my frustration. “Are we seriously putting Rita’s jealousy before a child’s emotional health?”

There was a brief pause before I heard a small voice in the background, one of Andrew’s kids, probably.

“Lee, let’s talk tomorrow,” he said, like he was apologizing.

“Alright. I was thinking of taking you to meet Brian anyway.”

He gave a short laugh. “We’ll see. Goodnight, man.” The line went dead. I dropped the phone beside me.

Thirty minutes later, I walked into my mansion. The house was too quiet. Not a sound. I glanced at the time, 9:30 p.m.

It's strange. Rita would usually be downstairs waiting to scold me for coming home late. I climbed the stairs slowly, “Honey?” I called out.

No response. Her door was half open. I approached, my hand gently pushing it wider. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, phone to her ear. But the moment she saw me, the phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor. And then, I heard a man's voice from the phone.

“Hello? Rita! Rita!!”

She picked up the phone and ended the call in a rush.

“Who was that?” I asked, trying to stay calm.

“Why did you startle me like that?” she snapped, avoiding my gaze.

“You still haven’t answered my question.”

“It was a male client. He wants to buy some dresses for his girlfriend’s birthday.”

“At this hour? What happened to your staff?”

“I don’t know how he got my number,” she said quickly, her breathing fast, too fast, like she was running from something. She walked up to me and wrapped her arms around my waist, trying to disarm me with warmth.

“Honey, you kept me waiting. What took you so long?” she whispered, loosening the buttons of my shirt and running her fingers across my chest. Her eyes danced with flirtation, but it felt rehearsed and desperate.

I didn’t respond to her touch. “Did Violet call you?” I asked, watching her closely. “I thought she was the one on the phone.”

“Violet?” she said, frowning. “It’s been years since she called. After she caught her fiancé cheating, she left the city. I haven’t heard from her since.”

“She didn’t call you?” I pressed. “Because Violet is back. She came with twins, a boy and a girl.”

Her body tensed. “Is she married?”

“I don’t know. But I think the father of the children left.”

“Violet is shameless,” she muttered angrily. “And she didn’t even bother to call me?”

“What happened between you two?” I asked.

She didn’t reply and I knew something was wrong.

“Well,” I said slowly, “I’ve decided to look after her son. He’ll be visiting this weekend.”

“What?” she snapped. “A bastard’s child? That will never happen in this house.”

“Never call that boy a bastard,” I said and I raised my voice. “I know what it’s like to grow up without a father. I won’t let that child suffer the same way. No man should abandon his children, but it’s not the child’s fault.”

Just then, her phone rang again. She didn't glance at the screen, then she looked at me. Her fingers hesitated.

“What are you hiding?” I asked, my voice low at first. “Why won’t you pick up your phone in front of me?”

My heart raced with thoughts I didn’t want to believe. Only one thing could stop those thoughts.

“Pick the call,” I said. “Put it on speaker. Now.” I pointed at her. It was the first time I had ever raised my voice at my wife.