Chapter 10: Time Capsule
1002words
Since exposing Clara's true identity, I have officially taken over the Sinclair family's business. The media has called this power struggle among the wealthy "The Truth of the Century," while the Sinclair couple chose to live in seclusion abroad after the scandal broke.
"A special place." Alexander said mysteriously, driving the car into a private forest.
We arrived at an ancient estate. I recognized it as the ancestral home of the Knight family, Alexander's childhood home.
"Why bring me here?" I asked.
Alexander didn't answer, just took my hand and led me through the overgrown garden to a massive oak tree. There was a simple wooden treehouse on the tree.
"My secret base." Alexander smiled, "Built it myself when I was twelve."
We climbed up to the treehouse. It was surprisingly neat inside, as if someone regularly cleaned it. In the corner sat a rusty metal box.
Alexander picked up the metal box: "This is my time capsule. Buried fifteen years ago."
He opened the box, inside were some childhood photos, baseball cards, and an unopened letter.
"Are these all your childhood memories?" I asked curiously.
"Not all of them." Alexander took out the letter, "This is for you."
I took the envelope in surprise, and indeed my name was written on it.
"I don't understand. We didn't know each other fifteen years ago."
Alexander's expression turned serious: "In your past life, on your 28th birthday, I had planned to give you this."
He took out a folder from the bottom of the box and handed it to me. I opened the folder and found a patent application document inside that could prove my innocence.
"These patent records can prove that you were the first to develop those technologies, not that you stole them," Alexander explained. "I investigated for three months and finally found the evidence. But when I was about to contact you..."
"I had already died in a car accident," I finished softly, feeling a pang in my heart.
Alexander nodded: "I was three days too late."
I opened the letter, inside was just one line: "To the last person who believed in hope." The rest was unfinished.
"I didn't get to finish writing." Alexander said, "At that time, I only knew you were a brilliant scientist who had been framed, deserving a fair chance."
"Why?" I looked up at him, "Why help a stranger?"
Alexander was silent for a moment: "Because I saw your research. Those innovations could change the medical industry, save countless lives. While Sinclair and Howard just wanted to claim them as their own for profit."
I felt a pang in my heart. In my past life, I died alone, never knowing someone believed in my innocence.
"I owe you an apology." Alexander continued, "When I recovered part of my memory, I could have told you the truth directly. But I chose to observe and test you, because I needed to make sure you really remembered your past life, and whether you were worthy of my trust."
I put the letter and documents back in the box: "Are you sure now?"
Alexander gazed at me: "From the moment you walked into my office, I was certain. The fire in your eyes, your determination, your wisdom—all of this told me that you were my destined ally."
I felt an unprecedented emotion welling up inside me. I had always thought I was a lone avenger, not knowing that there was someone who understood and supported me all along.
I moved forward on my own initiative, closing the distance between us, and gently kissed Alexander's lips. This was our first real kiss, not for show, not for a contract, but out of genuine emotion.
His lips were softer than I had imagined, with a slight coolness to them. At first it was just a light touch, but when he responded, an electric sensation spread from my lips throughout my body. His arm encircled my waist, pulling me closer, while his other hand gently caressed the nape of my neck, his fingers running through my hair. My hands instinctively climbed to his shoulders, feeling the firm muscle contours beneath his suit.
Time seemed to stand still, with only the sound of our mingled breathing in the treehouse. When we finally parted, my heartbeat was racing so fast it didn't feel like my own. Alexander's fingers gently traced the contours of my face, from my temples to my jawline, finally lingering on my slightly warm lips.
His eyes sparkled with a tenderness I had never seen before: "In our past life, I could only watch you walk toward the abyss, powerless to help."
"And now?" I asked softly, our foreheads touching, breaths intermingling.
Alexander's gaze was resolute, his thumb caressing my cheek: "Now we fight side by side, and no one can hurt you again."
"We won't let history repeat itself," I responded, my fingers lightly touching his chin, feeling his short stubble, "This time, we face everything together."
Alexander pulled me into his embrace, his lips gently touching the crown of my head: "No more secrets, no more testing each other."
We embraced each other in the treehouse, as the setting sun outside the window merged our shadows into one. This simple treehouse had become our haven, a place where we could shed all our pretenses.
On the way back, I gazed at the scenery outside the window, my thoughts wandering. Alexander's confession made me realize I wasn't the only one who remembered my past life. Fate had connected us in a mysterious way, giving us a second chance.
This time, I was no longer fighting alone. I had gained a true ally, someone who understood my pain, someone willing to face the darkness with me.
Our fingers intertwined in the car, no words needed. Tomorrow, a new battle would begin, but tonight, we were just two souls who had found each other.
