Chapter 233: Frigging Heathcliff
Bella’s eyes widened at Ken’s words and when he got out of the plush armchair, he walked to the large windows and looked out at the night sky, the weight of the past settling heavily upon his shoulders.
The amber liquid in his whiskey glass swirled, mirroring the turbulent emotions churning within him. He glanced at Bella, her expression a mixture of concern and quiet understanding, and knew he could no longer keep his secrets buried. He had to tell her everything or else he would just combust from the weight of his emotions.
"You don’t just drop a bomb like that on me and act like frigging Heathcliff." Bella exploded. "Tell me what you mean by Lyse could be your daughter, how is this possible."
Ken kept silent for a long moment before he started to speak slowly as if counting his words.
"Maeve," he began, his voice hoarse, "was... she was everything to me. I loved her more than words can ever say."
Bella nodded, her gaze unwavering. She had sensed the depth of his feelings for Maeve, the lingering pain that still haunted him.
"We met when I was just a stable boy," Ken continued, his voice laced with a hint of nostalgia. "The family I worked for lived next door to hers. They were wealthy, influential. She was... she was like a princess, beautiful and kind, untouchable."
He paused, a faint smile playing on his lips. "She saw me, though," he said, his voice softening. "She saw past the stable boy, past the social divide. She saw me."
He took a sip of his whiskey, the burn of the alcohol a welcome distraction from the rush of memories.