Whispers in the rain | charles leclerc *ੈ✩

Part 2 🩵 : Chapter 24 : Invisible String

The little girl looked up at Jules. Her eyes, were curious and bright. There was something in those eyes, a spark of recognition that made my heart clench.

I felt this strange and inexplainable connection to her like I'd known her my entire life.

But that was impossible. How could that be?

Kelly's gaze shifted nervously between me and Jules as if she was waiting for one of us to explain.

My mind was trying to make sense of everything. I hadn't seen Jules in seven years and now she was standing here.

A mother with a child who seemed to be a perfect blend of both of us.

My heart pounded in my chest.

Jules had a daughter who from the looks of it, a daughter who might be mine.

The thought made my head spin, and I struggle to keep my emotions in check.

I didn't want to jump to conclusions.

She ran up to Jules, her eyes sparkling with excitement , "Mummy! Guess what? I got an A+ class today!" she said bouncing on her toes.

Jules forced to smile, trying to hide her nervousness, "That's amazing, honey. I'm so proud of you." she said her, her voice, soft, but trembling, just a bit.

She started chatted about her day and her words keep tumbling out in a rush, "And and then Miss Thompson said that my drawing with the best in the whole class and-"

As the little girl talked, Jules nodded along her mind racing. She looked up at Kelly, who returned the look with equal nervousness.

I felt like an outsider desperate to understand, but unable to.

Jules took a deep breath and tried to stay composed , "Hey, why don't you guys go go get some ice cream without me? Mommy is not feeling too well."  She said her eyes flickering nervously towards Kelly. "Auntie Kelly and uncle Max will take you."

"But mommy you said we'll go all go together," the girl pouted her lips.

Jules bit her lip clearly torn , "Bells, please, just one time alright" she pleaded.

"Okay," she said, but eventually nodded as she said this reluctantly.

My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and emotions.

This girl seemed so familiar and way I couldn't explain.

Seeing Jules talk to her, I saw a side of her that I never imagined. 

She was a mom now.

Jules looked up at Kelly, silently asking for help.

Kelly stepped forward, "Come on Bella. We'll have fun and we can bring your mom some ice cream back."

Bella. That was her name. Jules's daughter.

The girl brightened, "Okay, but you have to get my favourite, not Levi's chocolate with rainbow sprinkles."

"Hey, no fair," Levi complained.

" Okay, okay, we can decide on the way, let's just leave." Kelly said with a smile, taking Bella's little hand.

As they prepared to leave, my heart pounded in my chest. I still didn't know who the father was. Hell I felt like I dint even know who Jules was anymore.

Just as Kelly and the kids were about to leave. Bella turned and looked at me, her eyes widened with recognition, "Hey, you're that Ferrari driver, who drives against uncle Max! You're the one who won last year!" she explained.

I bent down to her level, forcing a smile, even as my heart raised, "Yeah, that was me," I said, but trying to keep my voice steady, but feeling the edges of it crack.

As I looked into her eyes, my breath caught in my throat.

They were hazel with a hint of green and a bit of brown.

Just like mine.

"Mommy watches your interviews a lot" Bella added, smiling.

I look back up at Jules my mind racing with questions and emotions .

I could see the lie her eyes before she even spoke.

"No, no, I watch Max's interviews, you're just in them sometimes," Jules said quickly, her voice betraying a slight Tremor.

I knew she was lying, and she knew that I knew.

My mind was a world of confusion and revelation.

Was she my daughter?

The thought, terrified me and thrilled me at the same time.

The more I looked at her, the more I saw pieces of myself and her from the shape of her eyes and sparking her smile. It was like looking in the mirror that reflected not just my past, but the future, I'd never been a part of.

I took a deep breath and asked, "What's your name?"

"Isabelle, Isabella Hèrve Vesrtappen." she replied with a smile.

Herve.

The name hit me like a ton of bricks. Her middle name was my father's name. Jules knew, how much he meant to me. It was like a dagger to the heart, reminding me of everything.

I lost everything I walked away from and yet it was also also bitter sweet gift, seeing a part of my past, so deeply intertwined with this beautiful little girl.

"You can call me, Bella though," she added.

I wiped a tear I hadn't even realised, had rolled down my face.

"Alright, alright, we're getting late for ice cream," Kelly said, trying to hurry them up.

Desperation surged through me, and I reached out, stopping Bella by the hand.

I had to know for sure.

"Wait, no, no, no wait, just a minute." I asked urgently.

She turned back and looked at me with her innocent eyes, "How old are you?" I asked.

"6 and a 1/2, but I'm turning seven in December," she answered innocently.

That's when it all clicked.

She was mine.

The timeline the name everything. She was my daughter.

The realisation was like a tidal wave crashing over me and pulling me under.