Chapter 10: The Truth Comes to Light

Autumn settled gently over the city, painting the trees in shades of gold and crimson. Nearly a month had passed since Beatrice chose Nathaniel, and life had slowly found a peaceful rhythm. Every morning she spent several hours painting, while the afternoons were often filled with meetings for the upcoming wedding or quiet outings with Nathaniel.

For the first time in two lifetimes, happiness no longer felt like something she had to chase.

It simply existed.

Meanwhile, inside Chapman Group Headquarters, George had changed so noticeably that even longtime employees began whispering about him.

"Have you noticed Mr. George lately?"

"He's actually staying late to work."

"He hasn't lost his temper once this week."

"It's like he's become a different person."

George heard the rumors but paid them no attention.

Work had become his only escape from the memories that continued returning every night.

Unfortunately...

They were becoming clearer.

Far clearer.

That afternoon another vision struck without warning while he reviewed financial reports.

This time it wasn't fragmented.

It played before his eyes like a complete scene.

He saw Beatrice sitting alone in a hospital room.

Her face looked pale.

She gently placed a hand over her stomach.

"George..." she whispered.

"We're going to have a baby."

Instead of smiling...

He remembered himself walking away.

Cold.

Indifferent.

More interested in answering Isabella's phone call than listening to his own wife.

The memory shifted.

He remembered replacing a bottle of medication.

At the time...

He had believed it was harmless.

Someone had convinced him the medicine would only help Beatrice calm down.

Then came the funeral.

The doctor explaining that slow poisoning had destroyed both mother and child.

"No..."

George stumbled backward from his desk.

His breathing became uneven.

"I killed her..."

"I killed my own child..."

He collapsed into his chair, unable to stop shaking.

For several long minutes he simply sat there in complete silence.

Then he stood abruptly and left the office.

He needed answers.

Only one person could possibly give them.

Across town, Beatrice was attending a charity art exhibition with Nathaniel.

Several local artists had donated paintings to raise money for children's hospitals.

"Your grandfather would have loved this," Nathaniel said.

"He believed art should help people whenever possible."

Beatrice nodded.

"He always said beauty means little unless it brings hope."

As they admired another collection, an elderly artist approached them.

"Miss Layton?"

"Yes?"

"Your landscape painting from last week..."

"It sold this morning."

Beatrice blinked in surprise.

"Someone bought it?"

"Not only bought it," the artist laughed.

"Three more people have already asked whether you'll be exhibiting again."

Nathaniel smiled proudly.

"I told you people would appreciate your work."

Beatrice couldn't hide her happiness.

"Thank you..." she whispered.

"For believing in me before I believed in myself."

Nathaniel answered quietly.

"Sometimes all people need is someone willing to see their potential."

At that exact moment, George arrived at the Layton residence.

He wasn't there to see Beatrice.

He had come searching for Isabella.

Mrs. Layton looked surprised.

"George? Isabella isn't here."

"Do you know where she is?"

"She mentioned meeting friends downtown."

"Thank you."

George turned to leave before stopping.

"Mrs. Layton..."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Did Beatrice ever tell you she was pregnant?"

Mrs. Layton frowned.

"Pregnant?"

"No."

"Why would she?"

"Never mind."

George left immediately.

His heart sank even further.

If the memories were real...

Then Beatrice had suffered completely alone.

That evening he finally found Isabella leaving a luxury boutique.

"Georgie?" she said with surprise.

"What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk."

His unusually serious expression caused her smile to fade.

They sat inside a quiet café nearby.

For several minutes neither spoke.

Finally George looked directly at her.

"Do you remember another life?"

Isabella's cup slipped slightly in her hands.

Only for an instant.

But George noticed.

"...What do you mean?" she asked carefully.

"Answer me."

"Do you remember?"

She remained silent.

George suddenly understood.

"You do."

"You've remembered all along."

Isabella slowly lowered her eyes.

"Yes."

"Since the day I woke up."

George felt as though the ground beneath him had disappeared.

"Then everything I remembered..."

"It's true?"

She nodded weakly.

"Yes."

"Beatrice really died."

"She lost the baby."

"And..."

"You blamed her for everything."

George closed his eyes.

"Tell me the truth."

"Did she expose us?"

Tears filled Isabella's eyes.

"No."

"She never told anyone."

"Father discovered us himself."

"She actually tried to protect me."

George froze.

"What...?"

"She begged them not to send me away."

"She kept defending me... even after everything."

"Then why..."

"Why did I hate her?"

Isabella began crying.

"Because I let you believe she betrayed us."

"I was afraid you'd leave me if you knew the truth."

"So I stayed silent."

Every word struck George like a hammer.

The guilt became unbearable.

"She was innocent..." he whispered.

"The entire time..."

"Yes."

"And now?" George asked quietly.

"Do you still love me?"

Isabella wiped away her tears.

"I don't know anymore."

"The second chance we were given..."

"I think it was meant for us to become better people."

"Not to repeat the same mistakes."

George left the café in silence.

The city lights blurred before his eyes.

Everything he believed for two lifetimes had collapsed in a single conversation.

Across town, Nathaniel and Beatrice walked home after the exhibition.

"You seem happier today," Nathaniel observed.

"I am."

"Why?"

Beatrice smiled toward the night sky.

"Because for the first time..."

"I finally feel like my future is brighter than my past."

Neither of them realized that at that very moment...

George had finally uncovered the truth that would change all three of their lives forever.