Chapter 7: Secrets Revealed

From his bedroom window, Ethan watched Beth emerge from the car he had sent for her, a vision of elegance in a simple white dress, showing her figure to perfection.

Her beauty was breathtaking to say the least and yet again he was overwhelmed by the rush of emotion she was able to awaken in him by her mere presence alone.For so long he had denied himself the pleasure of sharing his life with a woman, especially one as enchanting as Beth Collins, but now, no matter how difficult it would be, he found himself wanting that more than anything in his life.Beth was the woman he could build a future with, of that he was certain.

From her radiant beauty, to her dignified demeanor, to the way she carried herself so proudly and with such strength, all of these things fascinated him and sent all reason flying out the door.He made his way downstairs to meet her in the hall.

Seeing her standing there, it took everything he had within him to stop himself from sweeping her in his arms and kissing her until the world spun around them.She intoxicated his senses, her closeness driving him to the edge of madness.

“Hello Beth,”he said, reaching out to take her hand.”I’m so pleased you accepted my invitation.”

“Ethan, I must confess,I’m very nervous about this meeting today.After our conversation the other night……I don't know why this is happening so fast.”

“Perhaps because it was meant to be.Beth Collins, you have stolen my heart.”

A table had been prepared for them in the lush garden of the manor and they enjoyed a glass of white wine as the sun was about to set.

Beth could not take her eyes away from him, not caring that her every emotion was on display for him to see.She felt so at ease in his presence,as if she had known him her whole life.It was so very clear that he truly cared for her.His every action, his every word was centered around her. He wanted to know everything about her, from her childhood, to her marriage and her work.

And what she adored most about him was how he treated her as his equal, his respect for her shining through without reserve.She too learned so much about him and finally she summoned the courage to ask him the one thing that had been perplexing her the entire time.

“You said it was complicated Ethan and I feel if we have any chance of building a relationship, there can be no secrets between us.”

The dark and tormented look clouding his face was not lost on her.What could possibly hurt him so much that he shut himself off?

“Come inside with me Beth,”he said softly.”There you will find all the answers you seek.”  “Ethan, just tell me,”she said.”What answers do you speak of?”

“Answers about me… and the truth about my marriage.”

Beth walked behind him in silence following the bombshell he dropped on her.

She was too stunned to speak or even breathe.At the bottom of the opulent staircase her voice at last returned to her.

“Ethan,”she said,as the force of his words hit her again.”Are you telling me you're a married man?I am not prepared to be your mistress.”

Ethan’s eyes widened in shock.”Beth, no Beth,”he said incredulously.”Forgive me for not making myself clear.I am no longer married.My wife died 6 years ago.”

Beth felt a weight being lifted from her.He was a widower and she would not be in the position of home wrecking skank.

Her relief must have been obvious on her face because Ethan smiled widely as he put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“I had no idea,”she said,”I’m so sorry Ethan, about your wife.”

“Thank you Beth, but that’s not where the story ends.My choice to live as I have for the last 6 years all comes down to a promise I made to Leticia before she died.That promise has shaped my life and it's one I must fulfill until the day I die.”

Beth was intrigued.A deathbed promise to his dying wife that would impact the rest of his life?What could that possibly mean?

Of one thing she was certain.Ethan Hollingsworth was a man of his word to honor whatever transpired that tragic day.

“Come upstairs with me Beth.I want you to meet my stepson.”