Forrest — Chapter 40 Nothing But The Truth

MEGAN

“I’M SORRY but you don’t have an appointment today,” I said without meeting his gaze. I didn’t have to look at him to know it was him. His presence alone shifted something in the air. It filled with tension and unsaid emotions. And I couldn’t look at him because I knew myself, and I’d be tempted to forget what I found out and jumped into his arms again. It was silly, but I didn’t trust myself around him anymore.

These past two days were like living in a world that didn’t exist. I needed to forget what happened between us—scratch that. I didn’t exactly want to forget—that was the best thing that happened in my life before he became unreal. He wasn’t the Forrest that I used to know—or if I even knew a little about him at all.

“I know. I just called Dr. Reed a few minutes ago. I’ll settle the payment later. And she’s free and agreed for an urgent appointment with me,” he said in a calm and low voice. It wasn’t even recognizable if he hadn’t whispered to me before. He sounded as if he was begging.

“Yeah, and my work won’t be needing anymore,” I muttered under my breath. I knew he heard me. He responded to me with a sigh. “She’s ready for you, I guess.” I pursed my lips and sat down.

His shadow didn’t move, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to look at him. It was a mistake, and too late the moment our gazes met—my silly heart just somersaulted. My skin tingled that he looked so magnificent in a white crisp shirt and pants. He was still wearing the broody signature looked, but his five o’clock shadow oozed power, drool-worthy, and panty-dropper of hot and sexiness. Jesus, Forrest! A little warning would be nice.

“Megan—”

I raised my hand because I couldn’t form a word. Thankfully, Mom appeared and saved me from impending embarrassment.

“Forrest, come in.” Mom smiled at him, keeping in a professional mode.

I knew she had so many questions, but I told her I was not ready to talk about it. And I hadn’t been back to her house or my apartment.

She visited me at the mansion, and Camila was happy with the arrangements. The dinner I promised to Mom ended up watching a sappy chick-flick. I ended up crying in her arms before the movie credits rolled.

When he walked toward Mom, I closed my eyes and sighed only to be interrupted by my mom calling my name.

“Yes?” My voice came up a pitch cry.

“Come join us.”

“W-what? Why?” I stared at her in disbelief, and she only looked at me as if it was not a big deal—for her, maybe not, but for me, it would be the death of me.

“I need you here.”

I got in a tentative pace. Forrest was already sitting on the couch while Mom was still waiting for me.

“How can I help?” I asked politely.

“Sit beside Forrest,” Mom answered.

“Again, why?”

“You both are my patients. So I want to catch birds in one stone since you two have the same issues.”

“I am not doing this,” I protested. “This is not couples counseling, Mom.”

“Just sit down, and be pretty, Meggie.” When Mom called me Meggie I knew it meant a lot to her. I still didn’t get it why I had to be sitting next to Forrest when she knew the fact that he was not who she thought he was.

“Fine.” I stomped to the couch and sat at the end. This would be a long awkward reunion for us.

Mom finally settled to her chair, crossed her legs, and rested her hands on her lap, while my heart was beating so fast.

“Do the honor.” She looked directly at Forrest and gestured her hand.

Forrest cleared his throat, rubbing his hands down his pants. “I was born Leandrei Edward Huxley to British parents in Yorkshire, England on July 2—”

I tipped my head to his side and scoffed. “You’re full of crap! What’s this? Another lies you cooked before you walked in? Why not try a little more convincing this time?”

“Megan, let him talk,” Mom interjected.

Forrest looked down. “When I was six, my parents decided to move to France to work in a vineyard and winery owned by my father’s French friend. After two years, life didn’t go as they plan. My father got into debt, gambling, and drowned in alcohol. When my father got home, he found out my mother and I was planning on leaving him. They fought, ended up accidentally burning the entire house while my mother was trapped inside.”

I found myself breathless as my gaze slowly wiped away any levity. It was compelling, terrifying, heartbreaking, and tragic. His thick British accent didn’t go unnoticed. I must admit it was sexy, but that was not what caught my attention—it was his emotions, so raw that even my heart was bleeding for him. But was he telling the truth this time?

“My father fled. When I got home from school, the entire village was there helping out to stop the fire, but it was too late. What an eight-year-old boy could do?” He paused when his voice broke, and then he drew a deep breath.

“Why don’t you take a minute?” Mom asked softly.

“I ran towards the burning house—”

My hands flew to my mouth as I gasped. Dread and fear of chill spread all over my entire body.

“Mama was crawling on the floor. I could barely see her. The dark smoke inside the kitchen was horribly thick. It was awful, dreadful, and it was searing hot that I could feel my skin melting in my body as I tried to run to save my mother. That was the only thing came to my mind at that time. To save my mother” His voice rasped, but it didn’t stop him. “She was pushing me away with her injured hands. She was hurt, trying to hide under our table. She begged for me to get out, but I was determined to pull her out of that fire because that day, either I die inside or die trying to save her.”

Did he have scars on his back? Is that the reason why he doesn’t take off his shirt in front of me? Worried that I might be disgusted?

“I woke up in the hospital bed. I couldn’t remember how did I end up there. I might have lost my consciousness when I inhaled too much smoke. Mama was lying next to me with all the bandages all over her body. She was unrecognizable. I cried beside her.” Forrest blinked, and it broke me to see the tears rolling down his face. I knew it was still painful for him, but he tried to continue, and I admired him for being strong to face his fears.

“We lost everything. I was so scared that I had nowhere to go if she died. Until a British explorer who burned his arm came to visit my mother. He didn’t feel pity for me, for my mother. I didn’t know he was rich until I saw the big house that I had never seen in my life. The Kentworthry Manor. He gave us new lives in a new home, changed our identities. Mama underwent several reconstructive surgeries. When I thought our lives ended in that house, I was wrong. Someone had the heart to give back our lives.”

He chuckled sadly. “He fell in love with my mother despite her flaws. They get married. He let me call him father. He transferred all his assets, worth billions into my name—my new name. Ellery Forrest Keighley Kentworthry. That was how I met Meadow. She’s the daughter of father’s friend, and that was how we got engaged.”