The Butler's Princess

Chapter 18 : The Truth Uncovered

Aaron had grown into a handsome young man, his mother's dark eyes and strong features clearly evident. During his college semester break, he took a job as a bellboy at one of the most prestigious hotels in his hometown. The job was demanding, but Aaron enjoyed meeting new people and the sense of responsibility it gave him.

One busy afternoon, Aaron was helping guests with their luggage when a commotion erupted in the lobby. An elderly woman was frantically searching her handbag, claiming that her valuable necklace had been stolen. Fingers quickly pointed to Aaron, as he had been the one assisting her earlier.

"I swear I didn't take it!" Aaron protested, but his words fell on deaf ears.

The hotel security escorted him to the manager's office. Aaron sat in the plush leather chair, his heart racing. He had never been in trouble like this before, and the accusation weighed heavily on him. As he waited for the manager to arrive, he noticed a photo on the desk.

Curious, he leaned forward and picked it up. It was a picture of a woman, her familiar face smiling warmly at the camera. Aaron's heart skipped a beat as he realized the woman in the photo was his mother, Elodie.

Just then, the door opened, and Aaron quickly put the photo back in its place. A tall, dignified man entered the room. He glanced at Aaron before taking a seat behind the desk.

"I'm the hotel manager, Dillon," he began, extending his hand.

Aaron's breath caught in his throat. "Dillon?" he repeated, his voice trembling. "That's your name?"

Dillon nodded, looking slightly puzzled. "Yes. Is there something wrong?"

Aaron gathered his courage and pointed to the photo on the desk. "The woman in that photo... she's my mother."

Dillon's eyes widened in shock, his gaze darting to the photograph. "Your mother? But how...?"

"My name is Aaron," he said, his voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him. "Elodie is my mother. And you... you're my father."

Dillon leaned back in his chair, his face pale. "I have a son?" he whispered, the words barely audible. "I didn't know. Elodie never told me."

Before either of them could process this revelation further, the elderly woman from the lobby burst into the office, clutching her handbag. "I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed. "I found my necklace. It was in my bag the whole time. This young man is innocent."

Dillon stood up, still reeling from the shock. "Thank you for clearing that up," he said, his voice barely steady. He turned to Aaron, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions. "You're free to go, Aaron. And... we need to talk."

After the woman left, Dillon sat down again, motioning for Aaron to do the same. "I can't believe this," Dillon said, shaking his head. "How is Elodie? Where is she?"

Aaron took a deep breath, feeling the weight of years of unanswered questions. "She's been living with my grandfather, Duke Winchester. She never told me much about you, only that you were... lost to her."

Dillon's eyes filled with regret. "I never knew she was pregnant."

The two men sat in silence for a moment, the enormity of the situation sinking in. Finally, Dillon spoke, his voice filled with determination. "I want to meet her. I need to see Elodie and make things right."

Aaron nodded, a tentative smile forming on his lips. "She deserves to know you're here. We both do."

With a newfound sense of purpose, Dillon and Aaron planned their reunion with Elodie. The path ahead would not be easy, but for the first time in years, there was hope—a chance for a family to heal and for love to bridge the gap of lost time.