CHAPTER 7: Confession

ELOISE’S POV:

Braxton stands before me, his impeccable look is in contrast to the squalor that surrounds us. His expensive shoes stand out against the mud, and his tailored suit is out of place in this world of destitution. When our eyes meet, an awkward silence settles between us. I feel vulnerable and exposed, like a butterfly pinned to a board, analyzed and pitied, which forces me to lower my gaze, not wanting to bear the load of his judgment.

"Eloise," he says softly, his voice emits sadness and guilt. "I never imagined you living like this."

"Not all of us are destined for grandeur. Besides, ever since I was young, way before we met the first time, I was already poor. Well, not this poor, but still considered like that,” I reply, my voice betraying a hint of bitterness I’m trying to hide.

Braxton takes a step closer, the distance between us closing like the gap between our past and present. His eyes soften, remorse is etching across his handsome features. But before the ambiance becomes melodramatic, I take a step back, turn around and walk towards a worn-out plastic drawer. Next to the drawer, is a neatly rolled, thin mattress that serves us my Maddox and my bed. 

I go back to the living area, well… if one can call it that way, then unroll the mattress on the cemented floor. Without meeting Braxton’s eyes, I say,pointing at the mattress, “You can lay down Maddox there.”

I don’t hear any tiny movement from Braxton, just heavy breaths. Soon after, he reaches out, hesitates, and then withdraws his hand - a gesture that speaks volumes about the chasm that now separates us. 

"I hope it’s not too forward to say this, I can make things different. If only you will allow me," he whispers.

I muster a polite smile, masking the whirlwind of emotions within me. 

“You and Maddox can live in my penthouse. You’ll be better there,” he adds.

My heart suddenly races against my mind as fear squirms through it. All these years, I tried so hard to hide myself and my Maddox from Braxton’s pack, so living with Braxton again means giving them the chance to hurt me again, to attempt to kill me again or to really kill me this time. Worse than all of those, is that they may do the same to my Maddox. The memories they held and the pain they inflicted on me are still so clear as if they only happened yesterday. I had once been welcomed into their home with open arms, only to face their disapproval and disdain when Braxton chose to love me, a woman from a different social stratum.

Braxton kneels one knee down and carefully lays my, I mean, our sleeping Maddox on the mattress. He then stands up and walks closer to me, causing my heart to race even faster and the air to crack with tension. I’ve been trying my very best to resist the pull I’m feeling towards him since seeing him again, but the allure of our shared history is just simply too powerful to deny. Our eyes lock, and in that gaze, an unspoken understanding passes between us — an acknowledgment of the passion that still smolders beneath the surface. I’m torn between the memories of our past and the uncertainty of the present. But as Braxton continues to inch closer, his hand reaching out to caress my cheek, my hesitation melts away.

"Eloise," he whispers, his voice a soft caress against my skin. "I never stopped loving you."

The words hang in the air like a delicate confession, causing my chest to swell with emotion. All the pain and hurt I endured from his packmates seems to vanish, leaving only the raw intensity of my feelings for him. Without a word, I lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering close as I savor the warmth of his hand on my face. The years apart have not diminished the magnetic pull between us—it’s as if we have never been apart. In a burst of longing, he pulls me into his big arms, and our bodies press against each other with a palpable desire. His lips hover just inches from mine, his breath mingling with mine in a dance of anticipation. Time stands still as we teeter on the edge of a precipice, unsure of what lay on the other side. But that uncertainty doesn’t last. With a surge of passion, our lips finally meet. It’s a kiss that ignites a thousand memories—the stolen moments, the whispered promises, and the intense love we had once shared. Our lips move together in a fiery dance, the years apart fading into oblivion as I rediscover his taste and touch. The kiss is tender yet fervent, a proof to the depth of my emotions. My fingers soon find their way to the back of his neck, pulling him closer, while his hands hold my waist with a possessiveness that sends shivers down my spine. 

The world around ceases to exist. The language of longing, regret, and the hope of a second chance gyrates with every move of our lips. With this, I know that I’m about to allow myself to tread on a dangerous territory once again.

As we finally break apart, our breaths rag, and a mix of emotions—fear, desire, and a glimmer of hope interlace in me. The love I had shared with him which had once been a source of pain, but in that passionate kiss, I begin to wonder if it can also be the key to healing our wounds and finding the love we have lost.

“So, can we start over again?” Braxton asks. 

“Your pack…”

"Elosie, I'm sorry for everything they put you through," he interrupts, remorse evident in his sharp, gold eyes. "I didn’t know. If only I had known."

Tears well up in my eyes as I recall the painful past… yet again, the cutting words, the disdainful glances and the death threats, which eventually turned into action that have haunted me for years. 

"I can't go through that again, Braxton," I whisper, my voice breaking. "Your pack’s cruelty... it scarred me deeply. And now, it’s not just me, I also have my Maddox to protect from them too."

“I understand. But I’m willing to do whatever it takes to protect the both of you from them,” he counters.

I look into his eyes, searching for any signs of sincerity. I want to believe him, to believe that we can find happiness despite the darkness of his pack’s  influence. But the wounds are still raw, and I just can’t ignore the fear gnawing at my heart.

"You say that now, but can you really protect us from their cruelty?" I ask. 

Braxton draws a deep breath, grappling with his thoughts. "I can't guarantee a life free from their influence," he admits. "But I promise you that I will stand by your side, and we will face whatever comes together."

Now I feel even more torn than ever before, torn between the love I still hold for him and the fear that history will repeat itself. I have a difficult decision to make—a decision that can either lead to healing and happiness or to more heartache and worse, death. 

Our attention is diverted to our Maddox when he gently moves and moans while yawning.

“You know what?” Braxton says, smiling without removing his sight from our Maddox. “I’m tired. And it’s already too late, I think I should stay here for the night.”

He walks back to the foot-side of the mattress while slowly removing his suit jacket. Next, he removes his necktie and lastly, his shoes and his socks, before settling himself next to our Maddox. Dumbfounded, I stand silent, gawking at him. How can a man of luxury, the Alpha of one of the most powerful packs in the country, the CEO of a multi-billion empire, sleep in a place like this? His back needs a soft, huge bed that can fit four to five people. His skin needs an air conditioner. And his sensitive hearing and smelling, well, I’m sure they won’t experience anything good here.

When I’m about to protest against what he wants, a small voice of our Maddox echoes, “Papa, stay with Maddox.”

The rain patters softly against the windowpane once again, casting a melancholic ambiance over the scene unfolding inside the house. In this dimly lit space, my heart is both heavy and light as I watch my son embracing his father so tightly without any means of ever letting him go. My Maddox’s face is beaming with joy while Braxton wears a fond smile, his eyes filled with love and adoration for our child. This scene is a snapshot of a tender moment shared by a family I never had but I hope to have, and it’s both heartwarming and painful to witness.

My Maddox’s laughter resonates through the house, and I long to be the one eliciting such joy from my son. However, I’m happy that it’s Braxton who’s doing it. I have no doubt in my mind that he’ll be a good father. But seeing them together like this, I can’t help but wonder what could have been, making me question the decision I’ve made five years ago. 

With a determination to stop being selfish to our Maddox and be stronger than my fear towards the Mystic Shadow Pack, I crawl towards the mattress, snatching the father and son’s attention towards me. I then take a deep breath with a heart opening up to the possibility of a second chance. I direct my sight to Braxton’s, swallow, then say, "Yes, Braxton. I want to try again. I want to see if I can stand strong against the challenges this time. I want our Maddox to have a whole and a happy family."

Relief appears over Braxton’s face, and a smile breaks through, brightening his entire demeanor. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to be the partner you deserve and to be the father to Maddox that he deserves."

As the words settle in the air, a sense of peace climbs over me. The pain of the past and the fear of the future still linger, but a clean slate filled with potential and hope eclipses those.

"We'll take it slow, okay?" I say like a gentle plea. "I need time to rebuild my confidence in us, but I'm willing to take that journey with you."

"I'll be patient. I'll be whatever you need me to be," he replies, sincerity shining in his eyes.

Our Maddox switches gaze between us with innocence hovering on his cute, little face. He may not fully understand the depths of the conversation, but he looks happy about it.

My decision isn’t just a step towards reconciliation; it’s a leap of faith towards a future that I’ve always wanted for myself and for our Maddox. And as darkness envelops the world, a renewed sense of hope, knowing that the stars above are now aligned, guiding me on our journey of rediscovering possibilities and finding a love that will endure the test of time bubbles up in my heart.