Chapter 215: Flashback -- The Anatomy of a Lie

Author’s point of view (23 Years Ago)

The following day, Thomas drove toward Violet’s house, his limbs humming with a nervous energy. He had sent her a message asking to meet, and her acceptance had set his heart racing. Just before arriving, he slipped the wedding ring off his finger with a swift, practiced motion and hid it in his trouser pocket.

He couldn’t let Violet know he was a married man with two sons; she would surely see him as utterly unsuitable then.

He pulled up in front of her house, and suddenly Violet emerged, wearing short white shorts and a simple black top, her brown hair gathered in a messy bun. Thomas’s mouth went dry, his eyes widening as he took her in.

Despite the simplicity of her clothes, she looked radiant, almost ethereal in his eyes. He jumped out of the car to open the door for her with practiced gallantry. "Hello, Violet," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

"Hello," she replied shyly, keeping her gaze on the ground.

"How are you?" he asked, his smile eager.

"I’m fine... and you?" she murmured.

"Better than ever," he replied, feeling a strange rush of intoxication.

They got into the car and took off. He stole a glance at her delicate features. "I’m taking you to a beautiful restaurant called San Lawrence."

Violet smiled softly. "That’s a lovely name for a restaurant."

"Just wait until we get there," Thomas said enthusiastically.

Suddenly, she asked while playing with a strand of her hair, "Your friend Morgan... is he okay?"

Thomas’s jaw clenched instantly, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "Why are you asking about him?" he asked, his voice turning clipped and dry.

Violet faltered, a paleness washing over her face. "No reason... I was just curious."

"He’s fine," Thomas replied, trying to regain his composure. "You know, he’s a bit... unstable."

She knit her brows in confusion. "Unstable? How so?"

"He looks calm on the outside," Thomas said, shaking his head, "but you never know what’s going on inside that head of theirs."

"He seemed nice," she said innocently.

"Appearances can be deceiving, Violet," Thomas said firmly, his eyes fixed on the road.

He tried with all his might to paint a grim picture of Morgan so she would never think of him again.

Suddenly, Violet looked at him intently. "Are you married, Thomas?"

Thomas froze for a split second, a chill running through his body. He gathered his wits and said flatly, "No."

"Engaged? Or... seeing someone?" she pressed.

"Neither," Thomas replied, swallowing hard. "I’m a single man."

"I thought you’d be married... how old are you?" she asked curiously.

"Thirty-two," Thomas answered confidently.

"Shouldn’t you be married by now?"

He smiled slyly to shift the conversation. "I see you ask about marriage a lot."

Violet grew flustered, rubbing her hands together. "I’m just a little curious, sorry."

"It’s okay," Thomas said gently. "I haven’t married simply because I haven’t found the right girl yet."

It was a perfect lie, enough to convince Violet without raising suspicion. "Hmm... I hope you find her soon," she whispered.

Thomas looked at her deeply, his voice laced with meaning. "I have a feeling that will be very, very soon."

They entered the restaurant, and Thomas chose a prime table overlooking fountains decorated with small dolphin statues.

Violet gasped in delight, clutching her chest. "Oh... I love dolphins!"

"Then I made the right choice," Thomas said proudly, watching the spark in her eyes.

"You were right," she said, sitting down gracefully, her eyes still fixed on the fountains. "The restaurant is beautiful."

"We’ll come here often," Thomas said, leaning toward her.

Violet’s expression clouded with tension. "What do you mean by ’often’?"

"If you want, of course," Thomas said, locking his eyes onto hers. "We’ll meet a lot."

Violet lowered her head, fidgeting with her fingers on the table. "Yes... that’s fine," she whispered shyly.

Thomas smiled triumphantly. "Shall we order?"

"Whatever you like," she murmured.

Thomas signaled the waiter and ordered the food, then returned his full focus to Violet. "You said you’re at university... what are you studying?"

Violet smiled with a touch of pride. "I’m studying medicine."

"That’s truly impressive!" Thomas said, genuinely amazed. "And what’s your specialty?"

"Cardiac surgery."

Thomas nodded in admiration. "A surgeon? You must be incredibly brilliant."

"Perhaps," she replied modestly.

They talked for hours, melting into the conversation until time seemed to lose its meaning. Suddenly, Thomas reached out and took her hand as it rested on the table.

Violet tensed immediately, freezing in place, torn between pulling away or letting it stay.

"Violet..." Thomas said in a low, deep voice. She nodded, encouraging him to continue, not knowing where this was headed. "You’re a heart surgeon. You know that heartbeats are usually regular." She nodded again. "When I see you, my heartbeats change... they become scattered and fast, so fast I feel like my heart might stop."

Violet tried to regain her professional composure. "That sounds like the symptoms of a heart attack, Thomas."

Thomas laughed heartily. "Those are the symptoms of attraction."

Violet’s expression went cold instantly. She yanked her hand back with force. "You’ve known me for two days! How can you say you’re attracted to me?"

"Attraction at first sight," Thomas said confidently.

Violet stood up abruptly, her eyes blazing with anger. "Listen closely. I’m not some naive girl you can trick with those lines."

Thomas scrambled to his feet, trying to calm her. "I’m sorry... but I’m really not trying to trick you." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"I’m sure you think your money can make me believe anything because I’m young, right?" she challenged him.

"No, Violet," Thomas swore solemnly. "I swear to you, I’m being honest."

"You’ll have to prove it then," she said, gathering her bag. "I won’t be made a fool of."

"I will prove it," Thomas insisted. "You’ll see."

"We’ll see about that," she said, heading for the exit.