Pains of love

CHAPTER 5

**The Historical Woman**

I didn't get any sleep that evening.

"I couldn't get James's voice out of my brain. * "Not even Lily. To solve this, I need time."*

What was meant by that?

He claimed that he desired a future with me and that I was the only thing that felt real. Now, though, why would he conceal anything? After all that we have endured together?

I behaved normally the following morning. I grinned. I gave him a cheek kiss. I gave him coffee. On the inside, though, I was afraid. Not simply about what James was concealing, but also about his potential transformation.

I went for a walk after breakfast. The fresh air seemed to be the only thing holding me together as my heart weighed heavily.

I was walking past a little bookshop when I noticed something.

A red-clad woman.

She was tall, had short black hair, and her keen eyes were partially visible through her sunglasses. She was looking directly at me as she leaned against a car.

I went cold.

She smiled a little, then gestured over me as she opened the door of her automobile. I went in her direction against my better judgment.

She remarked in a quiet but forceful voice, "You must be Lily."

"Am I acquainted with you?" I asked, taking a small step back.

"No," she replied. However, I am acquainted with James. I am also aware of Jordan.

My heart leaped. "Who are you?"

She introduced herself as Selena. "And James Carter was the object of my affection once."

---

We took a seat in a café close by.

I needed answers, but I didn't want to put my trust in her. She had to tell me what she knew.

"Are you and James together?" I inquired.

She gave a sorrowful smile. "Years ago, before, he developed into the guy he is now. We were in love, young, and wild.

Uncertain of how to react, I gazed at her.

"What took place?"

"He went out," she replied plainly. " No, goodbye." Not a warning. He simply disappeared one day. I spent a lot of time in heartbreak before I met Jordan.

My eyes got big. "You got to know his brother?"

She gave a nod. He resembled James exactly. I believed I was witnessing a ghost.

"And was Jordan aware of his identity?"

Selena drank some of her tea. " Not initially. However, he didn't seem shocked when I told him. He claimed that he had always been unable to explain certain aspects of his background. He had no idea who his true relatives were. However, I now believe that he is more knowledgeable than he admits.

I leaned closer. "Are you aware of his location?"

She paused, then reached into her handbag for a small piece of paper, which she slid over the table.

" This is the address. Never give it to anyone, he asked. However, after learning what's going on... I believe you should see him.

I studied the document. A modest home in the country. Not too far.

She muttered, "I'm not sure what you'll find there." "However, I believe it's time for someone to connect the dots."

---

I spent a lot of time at home looking at the notes.

I wanted James to know. I wanted to share what I had discovered with him. But then I heard his voice from the previous evening once more.

* "Not even Lily."

So I decided to do something instead.

I would go by myself.

---

It was peaceful on the way to the house. Birds sang in the distance, and trees bordered both sides. As I drove, my hands shook. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

The house appeared basic when I got there. tiny porch. Some areas of the white paint are flaking. Leaning on the wall was a red bike.

I knocked twice.

No response.

The door then slowly cracked open, revealing him.

I went cold.

It was James, or at least a very close resemblance.

His eyes, however, were odd. Sharper and colder.

"Lily," he murmured. "I've been anticipating you."

---

I entered.

Jordan's house appeared tidy but deserted. No pictures. Not a single embellishment. There is only a table, a couch, and a single toy car in the corner.

"Where is the boy?" With my heart racing, I inquired.

He smiled slightly. "Safe."

"Is he yours?" I inquired.

He hesitated. Victoria claims that he is. However, I'm no longer so certain.

I scowled. "So why are you keeping him hidden?"

He bent over. James wants to steal everything from me, which is why. As he has always done.

I gasped. "What are you discussing?"

Jordan got to his feet and moved toward the window.

I spent my childhood in a foster family. No true name. Not a family. No responses. It was only a picture—an old picture of a newborn. I had a constant sense of alienation. Perhaps something greater was the source of my theft.

"And you believe something is James now?"

He gave a nod. " He had it all. A life full of riches. Parents. Strength. I also had nothing.

I moved in closer. "But he isn't to blame."

Jordan turned to face me, something I couldn't identify shining in his eyes. "Isn't it? He was aware. One year ago, he learned about me. He didn't come looking either. He made no attempt to locate me. He allowed me to remain hidden.

I gave a headshake. "That isn't accurate."

He raised an eyebrow. Why didn't he tell you about me, then?

I went cold.

He muttered, "I told you that you're not getting the whole story."

---

I took a little envelope from him. "Give James this."

"What is it?"

"Verify," he said. "Of what actually took place."

With my heart racing, I accepted the envelope.

As I got to the door, he said, "And Lily."

I went around again.

"Watch who you put your trust in."

---

James was waiting when I returned to the penthouse.

He appeared anxious. "Where did you go?"

I paused. "I took a drive."

He squinted his eyes. “By yourself?”

"Yes."

He took a step toward her. "Why are you deceiving me?"

Despite the fact that I was, I muttered, "I'm not."

After giving me a lengthy look, he took something out of his pocket.

A picture.

My heart stopped beating.

Selena and I were seated in the café, and it was me.

He said, "I had you followed."

My eyes welled up with tears. "Why?"

"Because I knew you would track her down." Furthermore, I couldn't let her say anything that would ruin us.

I took a step back. "James, what are you keeping from me?"

He remained silent.

Jordan handed me an envelope, which I took out and held out.

"Then you tell me... What's inside?

James gazed at the envelope as if it were about to burst.

Then he turned and went away without a word.

Jordan gives Lily secrets, but James is already aware of her encounter with Selena. Upon receiving the package containing the "evidence," he silently leaves. What is he concealing? And what may make all the difference in that envelope?