“Oh, I don’t know, ma’am.I should probably go.”I laugh, trying to pull back, but her wrinkled grip is surprisingly firm.
“Yes, Mom, he must be busy.You’ve already taken up enough of his time.”The daughter holds her mother’s shoulders, trying to stop her.
“Ah, nonsense!Come in.We’re baking chocolate chip cookies, I’m sure you’ll love them.”
I can’t help but laugh at her persistence.“Alright, ma’am, but I gotta warn you, I’ve got a serious sweet tooth.”
17
Another Confession
Fenella
Present day
My mouth falls open after hearing Alan’s whole story.His life, from the moment he met Amy until now, is like a curse.I never thought there could be someone more unlucky than me when it comes to Amy.
Imagine having your entire identity stolen by someone you despise.Because of one reckless moment of desire, Clark Thomson disappeared, replaced by Alan Schmidt.There are too many differences between the two of them.No wonder I never suspected they were the same person.
But what’s worse than all that is realizing Alan planned everything.He changed himself and built a business for me?I don’t wanna sound full of myself, but that’s borderline obsessive.
My heart’s pounding.I stare at Alan, searching his face.There are no more lies.He’s laid out everything—too much, even.
So now what?I shift awkwardly in my seat, not knowing what to say after all those revelations.My hands stay buried in my jacket pockets as I pull it tighter for warmth.
This isn’t part of the plan at all.I thought I’d yell at him, tell him to leave, shut him down because I’d find his excuse unacceptable.I imagined myself calling him psychotic, manipulative, cruel.But now, I just feel sorry for him.
My whole body’s tense.My back aches from sitting here for over an hour, listening.After everything he’s been through, my own struggles don’t even compare.He’s done more than I could ever imagine doing.
“I don’t wanna sound full of myself, but are you sure you did all this for…?”My voice trails off.
“For getting your attention,” Alan says quietly, his eyes locked on mine.
“But Alan, Laird and I—”
“Yes, I know.”He exhales, rubbing his temple.“He was the only one I didn’t see coming.I didn’t expect Laird to meet you again before I joined Gene.I didn’t expect him to confess his feelings either.”
My cheeks grow warm.My mind flicks to Laird.Did he ever go that far to win me over?Oh God, he did say he moved to New York after law school just to find me, leaving his dad behind in Boston.
Still, everything I’ve done, everything Laird’s done, can’t compare to what Alan’s done.Has he lost his mind?Is this even real?
“Why me?I’m not as great as you think,” I mumble, frowning.
“I don’t know, Fenella.”Alan’s voice softens.“Maybe it’s because you look like my childhood anime crush.Maybe it’s because you were the only girl who ever talked to me in class.Or maybe it’s just because you’re the only person I could never let go of.”His forehead creases, a shadow of sadness flickering in his eyes.
“You were the one thing I held on to during my darkest times.I endured Amy because I believed one day I could stand in front of you without shame.I changed because of you.”
Again, my face heats up.My heart races, and not even the icy wind can cool the warmth spreading through my chest.His words sound like worship—dangerous, consuming, almost holy.It’s madness.Obsession disguised as devotion.
“I think this is the time,” Alan says suddenly, pushing himself up from his seat.“Fenella, I know this isn’t ideal, but I promised myself.”
He limps toward me, one leg stiff, the other struggling to balance on the wet ground.Then he kneels, supporting himself with his good knee.
“Alan?What are you doing?”My voice cracks.Oh no.
“Fenella,” he says, his voice trembling but steady, “I promised myself that when I told you everything, the whole truth, that’s when I’d finally tell you what’s in my heart.”
He reaches into his suit pocket and pulls out a small red velvet box.My hands fly to my mouth.Oh, no.No, no, no.
