Dirty Little Secret

6. Magnus

magnus

. . .

I stand there, frozen by her words, the gravity of her pain anchoring me to the spot. The foyer, usually a passageway filled with the light clatter of our daily lives, suddenly feels as constricting as a confessional booth. Tessa’s eyes, wide and glistening, search mine for something that’s been there all along.

Panicked and desperate to make things right, I lead Tessa to the living room, where the early evening moonlight lazily spills through the floor-to-ceiling windows. My heart drums a nervous beat against my ribs as I turn to face her. She’s wrapped her arms around herself, a protective barrier that I ache to dismantle, layer by fragile layer.

“Baby,” I begin, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. “How can you think that? That’s a horrible thing to even think, much less say. I’m in love with you.”

Tessa looks up at me, her eyes shimmering pools of vulnerability. “But your actions, Magnus—they tell a different story. How can I trust this isn’t just another casual fling for you? We’re rarely seen in public together. I’ve never met your family, and my parents know nothing about us. I’m your dirty little secret you keep to yourself, a toy to play with whenever you want.”

The depth of her pain catches in my throat, tightening it until I feel like every word will be a battle. “I admit I’ve made countless mistakes,” I say, closing the distance between us with slow, deliberate steps. “But nothing terrifies me more than losing you because I failed to express how much you truly mean to me. I’ve been a coward, afraid people will judge me for falling for a teenager, but I’ve known I couldn’t keep it hidden for long. I’m dying to show you off and let the world know you chose me.”

Tessa’s breath hitches slightly as she meets my advance with cautious stillness. “I didn’t even know you had a brother. How can I believe you when you hide so much from me?”

“We both know this isn’t a fling, Tessa.” My hands tentatively reach out and settle on her arms, feeling the tremor that courses through her. “I want to build something real with you—something lasting. If you’ll let me.”

She folds her arms defensively, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Magnus, actions speak louder than words. You’ve never talked about the future, not really. And with your brother’s insinuations today… It makes me think maybe I’m fooling myself.”

Her honesty stings, but she’s right—I’ve guarded my own heart so fiercely that I’ve neglected hers.

“Look,” I continue, stepping closer, braving that final gap until only inches separate us. “I’ve been a fool—a complete and utter fool. I let my fears paint our future with doubt and suspicion.” Reaching out tentatively, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “But you deserve more. You deserve clarity.”

Her breath hitches slightly at the contact, but she doesn’t pull away. Encouraged, I press on. “I love you, Tessa. I do see a future with us together. I’ve already told my mother about us, and she wants to meet you next week over dinner.” The words taste foreign yet liberating as they spill into the space between us.

“You have? She does?” Her voice is small but hopeful.

“Yes.” This time, the affirmation is stronger, fueled by the flicker of hope in her eyes.

There’s a pause—a single heartbeat stretched into eternity. “How do we start?” Tessa whispers a challenge, testing the sincerity of my declaration.

“We start with honesty,” I reply quickly and decisively. “No secrets. No games. Just the very real fact that I love you, Tessa Mills. Do you love me enough to give me another chance to make things right?”

Something breaks within her at those words—a dam giving way—and suddenly, her arms are around my neck, and she’s burying her face against my chest. Her body is shaking with quiet sobs that seep into my shirt and pierce straight through to my soul.

Holding her like this—close enough to feel every breath and heartbeat—I know this is where I’m meant to be. We remain locked in an embrace, as time recedes into the background as if giving us this moment undisturbed.

As her tears finally ebb away, Tessa pulls back slightly to look at me. “I love you, Magnus,” she says softly. Let’s start from here.”

“Yes, right here.”