Page 121 of Until He Confesses

"Because I want to apologize. Really apologize," I said.

He watched me, and then I nodded.

"Yeah… I realized that no evidence in the world would be enough to fix all the damage I've caused to you. Well, to both of us. I know that it's not easy to trust, especially with my family history. My mom and my dad… I saw her miserable for so long because of all the lies and deceit, and... I don't know. I shouldn't have let that cloud my vision of you. I should have tried my best to see through you. I know you, my heart knows you. I'm really sorry. It doesn't make up for anything, but I just want to let you know."

After that, my heart twisted in a way that I hadn't felt in so long, and I knew then that I was just seconds away from completely breaking down. I turned around and walked away. I headed straight for the terrace, hoping with all my heart that Anna was still there. I arrived and found to my immense disappointment that she wasn't.

I sighed and leaned against the barricade. It was only then, as I turned around to grab my phone, that I realized that I had left the drink I had ordered. I needed it now, that was for sure. I pulled my phone out of the wonderful pockets of my black dress and proceeded to place a call to her.

It began to ring, but she didn't pick up, and I wondered why. I started to look around, and it was just then that I noticed the man walking over to me with my drink in hand. I watched him, somewhat unsure if he was heading toward me, but then when I turned around to glance behind and saw nothing but the terrace, it became very clear to me that I was the one he was heading toward.

Anna responded then, but I could no longer speak to her as all my senses were on high alert. His gaze was intense, piercing straight into me, and it astounded me once again just how much he affected me. How much his very presence affected me. My heart swelled so much that it almost felt too big to remain in my chest, and my emotions were in disarray.

I could understand now more than ever why I couldn't even consider getting rid of his baby. This was the fruit of a man I so deeply loved, and no matter how bad or difficult things got, I was never going to let go of this part of him.

"You forgot your drink," he said, and I looked down at the flute he brought over.

"Thank you," I said nervously, not missing the slight tremble of my hands as I reached out to accept it.

"You really needed a drink," he observed me quite closely. It was a bit disconcerting, but since he usually watched me gently, I brushed it off.

"Yeah," I said. "I haven't eaten, so I needed that juice."

"A bit of alcohol might help," he said. "Do you want me to get you something?"

"Oh no," I said. "I can't-" I stopped myself and began to stutter.

"I mean, I need to be sober, plus my empty stomach."

"Maybe just a sip of mine then?" he said, and I was instantly startled by the offer. I stared at the glass and then at him, but with his narrowed gaze, I was able to realize what was happening.

"Um... no thanks," I replied. "I had some wine on the way over. On the flight over, I mean, so I'm still a bit fuzzy. Trying to control myself so I can sleep easy tonight."

He watched me, but as the seconds passed, I began to understand that he didn't understand a single word of what I was saying. I needed to leave his vicinity, to escape before it was too late, and I dug myself into a hole that I couldn't pull myself out of.

"I- uh… I was searching for Anna, so I'll go see where she is," I said.

I started to leave then, shutting my eyes and trying to take deep breaths in relief. I prayed with all my heart that he wouldn't call out to me or ask any questions, and to my relief, he didn't. I was able to escape, and just then, my phone began to ring.

It was Anna, and she had been pulled away by some guy she met at the buffet table.

"Oh," I said, my eyes scanning the room as I tried to locate her. I eventually did and saw her waving to me above the crowd.

I waved back.

"I think I'm going to call it a night," I said and could see her disappointed expression.

"Come on, why leave? We just got here."

"I'm tired-"

"No, you're not," she cut me off. "You're just trying to avoid Lucas, but there's no need to. I mean, you've already spoken to him, haven't you? He's not going to hound you or anything, and he's going to leave soon anyway."

I sighed.

"Come over," she said. "Come join us. I want you to meet someone."

She smiled at the man whose back was to me.

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