BURNING DESIRE

Chapter 41

WINTER

The engine's hum faded into the distance as we pulled away from the chaos that had just unfolded. I leaned against the cool glass of the car window, watching the houses and trees blur as we sped passed. The weight on my chest felt heavier than ever, a mix of dread and uncertainty swirling within me like storm clouds.

"Winter, we need to talk," he repeated for what felt like the hundredth time during our drive. His voice was laced with urgency, but all I could think about was how I needed space—space to breathe and reflect on everything that had unravelled today.

The car's tyres crunched on the gravel as we pulled up to Jack's house, one that had become a refuge in my life of chaos.
As soon as the car stopped, I leapt out and stormed toward the entrance, ignoring Lewis's calls behind me.

Inside my room, I sank onto the bed amid scattered clothes and remnants of a life half-lived. My mind raced: Should I take Oliver back to the States for a while? Or should we go and live in the countryside for a while? Tell every calm down.

Suddenly, there was movement behind me—Lewis had followed me inside without permission or invitation.  "Why do you keep following me?" I demanded sharply, stomping my foot like Oliver would if he were here.  "Because we need to talk! You can't keep walking away from this!" He crossed his arms over his chest in frustration—a familiar stance that made anger flare within me anew.  "I don't want to talk right now! Maybe right now—I need time!"

His eyes narrowed as if gauging how far he could push before breaking through the wall I'd built around myself. "Well, I do want to talk! And if you don't want to answer then you can at least listen!"

Taking a deep breath, he began again: "Winter... what I witnessed today was horrendous! I've never seen someone go through that kind of shit." He paused for effect before continuing fervently, "And let them spread whatever lies they want about me—I just want to be there for you!"

"Don't give me that bullshit," I shot back defensively. "You're worried I'm going to take Oliver back to the States! That's all this is!" My voice cracked slightly under pressure but hardened again as reality loomed closer—my agent would fix everything

"Ok find! Yes of course I don't want you to take Oliver away from me! I've not long found out that he is my son! And now you want to take him away from me and his family.! "

"I knew it!" The accusation hung heavy between us. "You said when I told you this you'd try and understand my life! You knew where we lived—you knew I'd be going back once filming wrapped up so what does a few weeks matter we will be coming back!"

"See this is why we could never be together. And yes you may have not long found out you had a son but I did try and find you! So don't throw that in my face!" I snapped

"Did you though? Did you really try hard enough? Or were you too busy playing Happy Families with Jimmy? You were quick enough to let my son call him daddy!" Lewis's words cut deeper than any knife could manage.

The shock rendered Me momentarily speechless; anger surged through my veins until it exploded outwardly—a slap across his face before I even realized what I'd done.

"How fucking dare you!" I screamed as shock coursed through me like an electric fire.  "Get out! Get out!" The words tumbled from my lips as just as Reme stepped through the doorway. 

"What the fuck is going on?" she demanded, her voice cutting through our chaos like a blade. "Lewis, I think you need to leave." Reme's voice brooked no argument; it resonated powerfully against Lewis's childish protestations about unfairness and abandonment while he stormed out—slamming doors behind him