The Affair of Secrets

Chapter 3

Unspoken Realizations

The warm scent of cinnamon tea filled the mansion’s kitchen as Lily arranged a small tray of pastries, glancing anxiously at the wall clock. Her heart fluttered with nerves, not from fear this time from anticipation. Her conversation with Catherine had ended with a good note and they decided to finally meet one another after so many months apart. Today wasn’t just any ordinary visit from Catherine. Today, she wasn’t just going to be seeing Catherine, but she was finally going to discuss a plan of how she could always get to see her son, after longing so much to see him.

Catherine was her only means of hope, since it wasn't a secret hidden to her.

She and Catherine haven't discussed everything yet concerning Alexander in their phone conversation and Lily felt it was best to do it physically, a medium to also see Catherine. For years, Lily had trusted her with secrets no one else knew, including the fact that she had a son. But never once had she dared tell anyone else, not even her parents.

Catherine's knock came promptly at noon. Lily hurried to open the door, a bright smile plastered on her face.

"Hey, you're right on time," Lily greeted, pulling her friend into a quick hug.

Catherine smiled back, though her eyes darted around the luxurious foyer with something Lily couldn’t place. Curiosity? Caution? Whatever it was, it vanished quickly under Catherine's usual confident demeanor.

"This place is... stunning, Lily. You didn’t tell me your husband had such taste. You are very lucky to be with such a wealthy man, my friend."

Lily laughed nervously, brushing a curl behind her ear. "It’s not mine, really. Nathan takes care of most things. You know how he is."

"Nathan?" Catherine repeated the name, her tone calm. Her eyes subtly scanned the framed pictures lining the walls. And then she froze.

“Yes, Nathan.” Lily innocently replied.

Unknowingly to her Catherine was actually mentioning his name on seeing the picture on the wall. It was a coincidence.

“Oh yes, Nathan. He is really handsome. I am happy for you both.” Catherine said while she gave a fake smile.

There it was.

A photo of Lily and Nathan at a charity ball, dressed in coordinated black and gold. Nathan’s arm was around Lily’s waist. He was smiling, and not just posing, but genuinely smiling, a rare expression only a few could claim to have seen. A few that means her, she didn't remember him to be this bright from her past.

Catherine blinked quickly, masking her shock. Her fingers tightened slightly around her handbag, but she forced a pleasant smile back onto her lips as she stared at Lily.

"Nathan Thompson. Though the name rings a bell," she said with practiced ease. "He’s the CEO of Thompson Industries, right?"

"Yes, he is," Lily responded, still not picking up on the subtle shift in Catherine’s tone. "It was… a complicated arrangement. But I’ve grown used to it. That's my fate I guess."

Catherine chuckled lightly, her eyes still flickering to the picture. "Well, you’re glowing. Marriage must be treating you well. Probably you have just been making complaints because he is new, you would get used to it soon enough."

Lily blushed, though it wasn’t from happiness. She wasn’t sure what marriage had given her stability, perhaps, but never love. It was everything far from love.

"Come," she urged, gesturing toward the couch in the drawing room. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something important. About Alex, I now have a plan."

"Oh?" Catherine tilted her head.

Lily hesitated as she had a rethink because this moment mattered. For years, she had carried the burden of the secret, but now, with everything shifting, she needed to find a way out to see Alex.

"I want you to bring Alexander here." Lily's eyes gloomed with a sense of hope.

Catherine’s brow arched, pretending surprise. "Alexander?"

Lily nodded slowly. "Yes, my son. Catherine, I have been with him before the marriage. I… I’ve never told Nathan. I’ve kept him away but I still want to be a part of his life and growth. I trust you can help me please, you can claim Alexander as your son and bring him here whenever Nathan isn't home."

Catherine stared at her for a beat longer than necessary, her expression unreadable. "Lily, I—"

"I know it’s a lot to take in," Lily cut in quickly. "But I really need your help. I just want you to bring him here, and keep visiting in secret or maybe even introduce him to Nathan someday as your son when you get to meet Nathan."

Catherine’s lips curled into a tight smile. "Of course. I’ll help however I can. Anything for you, Lily."

She stood up abruptly, brushing invisible lint off her skirt. "Actually, I just remembered I have another meeting this afternoon. Silly me, completely forgot."

Lily blinked, startled by her sudden change in energy. "Oh… okay. Is everything alright?"

"Absolutely. Just a bit of a schedule mess-up," Catherine replied smoothly. "I’ll call you tonight? We’ll talk more about Alexander then. Alright? I love you, my dear friend."

Lily also stood up and gave her a hug, then walked her to the door still puzzled by the strange energy shift. Catherine offered one last smile, distant and unreadable, before slipping out the front door.

As Lily watched her leave, a knot of confusion twisted in her stomach. Something was off. She could feel it even though she couldn't tell what exactly it was.

But for now, she pushed it aside. She had taken the first step—and that had to count for something.

Soon she would have Alexander in her arms again even though it would be her denying the motherhood of her child with Nathan.

It really didn't matter at that moment. All she wanted was to see her son as often as she could.

“I trust you, Catherine. I really do trust you.” She whispered as she watched Catherine go out of the gates.