The Big Truth

The car slowed down. When we arrived in front of the mansion, a group of young protesters were with all kinds of flags, faces painted, in protest. Some were wearing band shirts. Others making noise.

- What is this? - I asked apprehensively, when a young man walked too close to our car and stuck a sticker on it.

- Some of the young people in town are against Gregory's reelection.

I see, he is so bad as a governor? They seem pretty angry.

-It seems that he wants to take over a forest reserve to build a shopping mall, it will cover half the jobs of the workers in this town. It will also have the function of drawing attention to the city's tourism.

- But is it really necessary to destroy a forest reserve? It seems pretty selfish to me. I don't know if I would elect someone like that. It's a small town, you know, we get attached to the little things. That's totally wrong.

He smiled and sped off, as a security guard opened the big iron gate to help him through the crowd of protesters.

- I think so too, baby.

Three glasses of champagne and a large plate of ravioli later, I was restless, shifting my tiredness with my feet and praying that Ethan would stop introducing me to everyone. My face was already hard from faking smiles. Luck didn't bother us, unlike I thought he would. He approached us only a few times, and barely made eye contact. He was always polite to everyone. This was refreshing, I was already feeling safer to wander around.

I walked around the place a few times, but I felt better about doing that thing where Ethan's eyes could go, in case Luck tried to pester me. I know, it sounds paranoid, and maybe I'm being ridiculous. He probably didn't even remember me, and the fact that he was impressed by Nicholas may just be circumstantial. How many children in the world looked like each other? Exceptionally so when Nicholas could be Ethan's? I was sure he didn't say anything about Nicholas not being his son, so there was really no way Luck could suspect anything. I stuck that idea in my head and let my heart be still.

However, I knew that it wasn't just that that bothered me, it was being back in the town, with its old stories, the old houses and families. I never belonged in this place, much less what I was stepping into. Six years ago, I really believed that I could fit in, that Luck loved me. I don't blame him, I am over that part of my life. Even if he didn't want to, he gave me the most precious thing. The one thing that doesn't make me regret sleeping with him that night. Even though I had been through hell, in some ways I was grateful. He gave me Nicholas, and then Ethan. And I am complete with them.

Some of the guests were beginning to disperse and leave. Ethan was still talking. I shifted restlessly and touched Ethan gently on the arm.

Ethan...

- Hey, baby, one second... - He went back to chatting with a group of men.

- Colle...

He finally turned to me.

- Colle, can we go now? - I sighed tiredly.

He studied me for a second, then nodded. - All right, just let me finish my bourbon and say goodbye to everyone. - He kissed my lips and my forehead. - I'll go find Luck and say goodbye. In the meantime, how about going to the restroom while I ask someone to bring our car around?

A crash took our attention. The group of protesters had turned on a huge speaker, and were shouting disconnected things.

- Okay. Five minutes," I said, before leaving.

I had not yet entered the mansion. The party had been outside the house, in an open field. But we were finally leaving and I was too tight to pee.

On the way back, I passed the big indoor hall, but I didn't come the same way, I was just overcome by curiosity. It was exactly the same hall I had passed and danced in six years ago. It used to be empty, the student body occupied the entire space. I closed my eyes and saw, for a second, three girls blocking the way to the annex hall. They were excited and full of expectations. They were also afraid, they looked at each other and I saw a strong gleam in their eyes that said silently, I love you, good luck.

Soon I recognized them: Nicole, Vivian and Alice.

I smiled alone, having a splendid view of my friends. A chill ran through my body, and the next thing I knew, a tear ran down my face. How I miss them. My thought was torn away, bringing me back to reality when Avril Lavigne's Complicated started playing so loud that I startled and screamed. Thank goodness there was no one there to see. It must have been those young people protesting, soon the silence would return.

I was walking back to the exit when the clink of a glass took my concentration away. At the same bar where the drinks were served at the party, there was a body. He was paying attention to his glass, his lips wet with drink, and

he was playing with his fingers on the rim. His eyes were looking behind me, not at me. They were tired, sad eyes, something I had never seen in them before. I confess that I felt sorry. I can't imagine the pain of losing everyone I love.

I went back on my way, but before I could turn around, he called out to me.

- Sit here," he said in a drunken voice.

- Your brother is looking for you," I said. - I think it's better that he knows where you are. I'll let him know.

- No," he said calmly. - Sit down here.

I clenched my jaw, annoyed. I knew something was wrong. Whatever he wanted, I preferred to do it alone and quickly, before Ethan caught us.

I walked over to him and sat down next to him in a huge feeling of déjà vu. We were in the same chair as years ago. Only now, I didn't love him at all.

- Ni-co le," he said, turning to me. He picked up a glass of whiskey and filled it. I accepted, I was no longer that dumb girl, there was no way I was going to fuck up my life again. I took a sip of my drink.

- Yes, I did.

- You know, I'm not good with memories," he said.

My body began to tremble, but I tried hard to remain calm.

- But there was something about you. - He finished pouring the drink. - Something that intrigued me, if you know what I mean! - He ran his hands through his hair, looking nervous.

- I don't know what you're talking about. - I turned my drink over as well and came down on a bump. He held my arm, not to hurt me, but he kept up the good work of stopping me.

- I lost everything," he said softly. - Last year, my wife... my little boy. Both in a brutal car accident," his voice faltered a little at the end.

- I am sorry," he said truly.

She loosened her grip on my arm and then added.

- It was okay, it hurt. It hurt like hell, but I was fine. Then my father died," he said bitterly. - He was always a sick son of a bitch. Then Ethan was here. With you. And then... Nicholas. - His gaze finally locked on mine.

My heart almost leapt out of my mouth.

- What about MY son?

I looked at him seriously.

He smiled wickedly.

- Your son?

- Yes, Luck, my son.

He smiled again. I pulled my arm from his grasp and was moving forward when he spoke.

- Does my little brother know that his future wife is in the habit of sleeping with men the first night she meets them?

- What? - I turned angrily.

- Do you think I'm a fucking idiot, girl?

- What? - I asked indignantly. - What the fuck are you talking about, you maniac?

He reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a flash drive.

- I knew, when he introduced me, that there was nothing special about you, but there was something about you... many coincidences, and none of them connected you to me... Except for Nicholas... But then I thought rationally. This is crazy, I didn't have another child... and he is identical to my boy. Too much of a coincidence. I felt like I was seeing a ghost. Suddenly I wanted to hug that child, I didn't want to let him go.

- Stay away from my son! - I shouted.

- Your son? - He raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Anger was bubbling up inside me. I wanted to run and hide my son, but I couldn't let him intimidate me, I knew that's what he wanted.

- I had never felt so happy. It was a second chance. Everything I needed. I went into his medical records, I hope you don't feel aggrieved, but I gave myself the right to investigate further. Nicholas was not registered by a father. There is only his record on the birth certificate. Then I kept wondering...how much craziness and how many possibilities went through my head. I didn't know where to start, so I tried to make a mental list. And I remembered a lunatic. She came into my room at an event years ago, she was desperate and lost. And she said she was pregnant. I'm not going to lie, I didn't remember her; God, I barely remember ever fucking her. All I knew was that she was a girl, you are a woman. Still, that was no proof that you were the woman who came to me years ago. Except for this," he said and held out his hand, showing me the small flash drive. - And well, this one on the tape looks like you, although younger. Unless, dear God, you tell me you have a twin. Because otherwise, Nicole O'Connell, I don't even need DNA to know that this is my child.

- You must be out of your mind. - I let out a bitter laugh. - Seriously, is that the most sensible explanation you could come up with? The child is Ethan's. Always has been.

- No! Incredibly, that was not the biggest conclusion.

He came so close to me that I had to take steps backwards.

- There is another possibility. After you disappeared, he investigated my life and discovered that I not only had a brother, but also that he owned one of the most respected security companies in the world, which makes him the owner of a fortune. You wanted to get back at me, you wanted me to pay, so you did a crazy thing to convince my brother, to sleep with him. Soon, he was in love. And you would have your millions and a father for your son.

I swallowed all my anger and took a deep breath, trying my best to contain it.

- No! This never happened, I didn't even know you were brothers. Like

this is sick!

- Assume once and for all. I know it was you, I'll do a DNA test. He is mine! Assume it!

- God, you need help," I said quietly. - Look at yourself. Can you hear yourself? I told you I don't know what you're talking about.

He took my chin in his hand, holding it tight.

- Girl, you think you know me, but you're dead wrong. I am no longer the boy you once had sex with. That died in me a long time ago. What you have in front of you is a man who has lost everything. And who will not miss the opportunity to touch your Sam again.

- Your Sam? My son is not Sam! My son's name is Nicholas. And don't you even think about going near him, or I swear I'll kill you. I swear.

Suddenly you're so brave. - He smiled. - To defend a child

child that isn't mine.

I pulled my face away from his contact. If that's the game he wants to play, we'll play.

- No child, yours or not, deserves to have you around. You can tell me you're not like your screwed up father, but I can see what no one else sees. You are rotten and broken inside. You're not fit to be a father to a child. Luck Bosta Petrelli. Whether or not you are Nicholas' father, you will always be just that, that's all. His father is Ethan. He, yes, is Nicholas' father, you are nothing, and never will be. You're never going to get close to him, unless you want to get your balls cut off. I'm sorry about your family, about your Sam. But Nicholas is my son, you had the opportunity to do everything right, I came to you, as you can see from the tapes, but you gave me no choice. You ordered me to take our own son. I loved you once, you know? Or I loved you a lot, I was needy, I don't know! What I do know is that with me and Nicholas your chances are over. I won't lie to you or Ethan, it was a long time ago, I didn't know him, I had no idea that life would cross our paths. It's not my fault, it happened, I got pregnant with you. I won't feel guilty about it. I did what I had to do to survive, but I never lied. It's not because of you that I'm going to jeopardize our lives with Ethan, he is everything to me and Nicholas. You are nothing.

He stared at me, his eyes on fire, pure rage and pain. Letting out a low grunt, he turned away and left me alone.

I let out the trapped breath and finally began to cry, the sobs coming ugly out of my throat. I was scared to death. Dying. But I put on the mask of courage to face Luck. I needed to leave and tell Colle the whole truth. My thoughts were disconnected, fast, I needed to act, I needed to act....

I heard clapping that cut me off from my thoughts.

- God! What a story! You get pregnant by Luck, he won't take over, so you run into your brother's arms for protection and a father for your child. I'm betting on this version. Wow, you are so sick.

It couldn't get any worse. I looked up to find the whore Caroline.

She looked triumphant, as if she had won the lottery. And she had. Son of a bitch.

- What's up, Caroline?

- Exactly, Nicole. I heard the whole thing. Does my lovely cousin know that you've slept with his brother? And worse, that you got his brother pregnant?

Shut up, that's not your problem.

- Well, judging by the tone of your voice, you sound pretty angry. He doesn't know, does he? I bet you had this planned from the beginning.

- Oh, God! This family is sick! What's wrong with you? I didn't know you were brothers. And I don't owe you any explanations. Just leave me alone.

- Nicole," a voice boomed behind Caroline, "what's going on here? Why did you take so long to come back? Luck has already left, he didn't want to wait to say goodbye.

- Looks like they already said goodbye," Caroline said in a venomous voice.

Ethan rolled his eyes, thank goodness he was already used to his cousin's teasing. She had no idea.

- Sorry, baby," he said. - I just got lost in the house.