Alec's hand gripped the door handle as the man's words reverberated in his mind. Alec Westbrook—the name hit him like a punch to the gut. He wasn't just some random stranger; this man knew who Alec was.
The weight of the moment pressed down on him. His pulse quickened, his mind spinning. How did this man know his name? Alec had taken every precaution to keep his true identity under wraps, to blend in with the life he had created. But somehow, this stranger had managed to pierce through the veil of deception.
Alec stood frozen in the doorway, trying to mask the panic rising in his chest. The man in front of him didn't look like someone who was here for a friendly chat. There was something about him—his sharp eyes, the way he carried himself—that screamed danger.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" Alec asked, his voice coming out a little more strained than he intended.
The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he surveyed Alec with a cold, calculating stare, his lips twitching slightly as if contemplating something. After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice low and measured.
"You don't know me," the man said. "But I know you. I've been watching you."
Alec's stomach twisted in response. Watching him? Who was this person, and what did he want with him?
He forced himself to remain calm, though his mind raced with possibilities. Could this be someone from his family's business? Maybe an old associate of his father's, someone who was onto him? Alec had been careful—he had hidden behind the fake identity he'd built, hoping to escape the suffocating pressure of his father's expectations. But now, this stranger seemed to know exactly who he was.
Alec took a slow step back from the door, trying to gauge the situation. "Why are you here?" he asked, his voice steadying as he searched the man's face for any clue as to his intentions.
The man tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a small, almost imperceptible smirk. "I think we both know why I'm here, Alec. You've been playing a game, but it's time to face the truth."
The words sent a chill down Alec's spine. His thoughts flickered to Maddy, who was still in the kitchen, blissfully unaware of the confrontation unfolding at the door. Was this man connected to her? Or was he someone else entirely—someone from Alec's past?
"I don't know what you're talking about," Alec said, his voice taking on a firmer tone, though inside, his mind was racing.
The man's smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "Let's not waste time with denials. I know exactly who you are, Alec. And I think it's time you did too. You've made your life here, pretending to be someone you're not. But I'm not going to let you continue with this charade."
Alec's breath caught in his throat. What does he mean by that?
"I'm not pretending to be anyone," Alec said, forcing himself to stand taller. "I'm just trying to figure things out."
The man raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Figuring things out? By hiding behind lies? By deceiving people you claim to care about?"
Alec flinched at the words, feeling as if the man could see right through him, straight to the core of the lie he'd built. He could feel the sweat gathering on the back of his neck, the pressure mounting as the stranger's gaze never wavered.
"I don't know who you are or what you want from me," Alec said, his voice a little harsher now. "But if you're here to threaten me or make demands, you're wasting your time."
The man leaned in slightly, his voice lowering to a whisper. "I'm not here to threaten you, Alec. But believe me, if you don't come clean soon, you'll be exposed for the fraud you are. And it won't just be your little game with Maddy that's at stake."
Alec's heart skipped a beat. Maddy.
The mention of her name made everything feel even more real, even more dangerous. Alec couldn't let her get caught up in whatever game this man was playing. He had to protect her. He had to protect himself. But how?
"I don't know who you think I am," Alec said through gritted teeth, his temper flaring as the conversation began to spiral out of control. "But you're wrong. I'm not a fraud."
The man's expression softened slightly, though it still held a sense of superiority. "You can lie to yourself all you want, but I've seen the cracks. You're not fooling anyone. And Maddy? She deserves the truth, Alec. She deserves to know who you really are."
Alec's jaw clenched, his thoughts spinning. He had never anticipated someone finding out. He had always been so careful, so controlled. And now this man—this stranger—was threatening to unravel everything.
"I don't need your help," Alec snapped, trying to regain control of the situation. "If you know what's good for you, you'll stay out of this."
The man stepped back slightly, his gaze still piercing. "You're more naive than I thought, Alec. This is bigger than you think. Much bigger. You think you can walk away from your past, from everything you've built? You can't. Not with people watching. Not with your father's company hanging in the balance."
The mention of his father's company made Alec's blood run cold. He had worked so hard to keep his father out of this—out of his life, out of his decisions. But now it seemed the world was closing in on him, and there was no escaping it.
The man turned on his heel, as if he had said everything he needed to. "I'll be back, Alec," he said over his shoulder, his voice carrying a warning. "And when I return, you'll have to decide what kind of man you really are. But don't say I didn't warn you."
And with that, he was gone.
Alec stood there for a long moment, the weight of his words settling over him like a fog. His mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of the conversation. Who was that man? What did he want from Alec? And what did he mean about the truth coming out?
As the front door clicked shut behind the mysterious stranger, Alec was left alone with his thoughts—and the undeniable realization that his past was not going to stay buried for long.
He had no idea what kind of storm was coming, but he knew it was going to change everything.
Later that night...
Alec returned to the couch, his body feeling heavy as exhaustion began to set in. But his thoughts wouldn't let him rest. He couldn't shake the conversation he'd just had—the warning, the cold certainty in the man's voice.
And Maddy—Maddy still didn't know the truth. She didn't know who Alec really was. He had kept that secret from her for so long, hoping that by the time it came to light, he would have found a way to make things right. But now, everything felt so fragile. So uncertain.
A soft sound from the kitchen caught his attention. Maddy.
She stepped into the living room, her eyes wary as she watched him. The tension between them was palpable, the air thick with unsaid words. Alec couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Maddy, I—" he started, but she held up a hand, cutting him off.
"I need some time, Alec," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "I can't keep doing this. I can't keep pretending that everything's okay when it's not."
Alec swallowed hard, his heart sinking. "Please, Maddy, don't—"
But she shook her head. "I need space, Alec. I need to think."