Chapter 585 James' Identity Revealed
Patricia was in shock, her world turned upside down by Alan's revelation. "W-what did you just say?"
Alan urgently explained, "Mrs. Watson, you didn't mishear. He's—"
"Alan!" James said sharply.
Alan, driven by a sense of urgency and a desire to prevent James—Martin—from leaving, spoke over James' protests. "Yes, Ms. Watson, you heard me correctly. James is Martin, and Martin is James. He didn't die; he's been alive all this time."
Martin, his patience fraying, warned, "Alan..."
But Alan, resolved to reveal the truth, pushed on, "I can't keep this secret any longer. I can't stand by and watch you walk away from everything, to face the end alone. You deserve better."
Even if Boss wasn't a hero, he should have been at the top, a legendary figure that people talked about. Even if he died, it shouldn't end like this.
Martin clenched his teeth and remained silent.
Patricia, overwhelmed, wanted to ask for an explanation but found herself frozen in place.
In the meantime, Charles had already found his way into Martin's arms, his tears soaking his father's shirt. "Daddy, you're alive. Why have you been hiding? I missed you so much... Sniff... I won't let you go. Please don't leave us again..."
Martin held his small shoulders, his chest aching, his eyes turning red, his heart tightly knit together.
Charles was trembling and crying, his small shoulders shaking. "Daddy, why? Why? Why?"
'He was alive, yet he never came back for us. Why did he feel the need to conceal his identity? And why return only to leave once more?
'Would Daddy have truly left had I not followed? Does Daddy no longer care for Mommy and us?'
Martin closed his eyes, swallowing the pain.
He had countless apologies at the tip of his tongue, yet he couldn't bring himself to voice them. He feared that by doing so, he would have to acknowledge he was indeed Martin.
Charles, seeing him silent, pleaded anxiously, "Daddy, please come back. Mommy, my siblings, and I, we all miss you so much!"
Martin remained silent, uncertain of how to respond.
The bodyguards were stunned. They couldn't fathom that the man before them was their boss. And to think they had almost confronted him. The very thought sent chills down their spine.
Patricia, with heavy steps, approached Martin. She reached out, intending to sweep away his bangs.
Martin instinctively pulled back.
But Patricia was relentless. She grabbed his shoulder firmly with one hand and with the other, brushed aside his bangs, revealing the deep eyes she had fallen for at first sight.
Even without removing his mask, those eyes confirmed his identity.
It was Martin, the man she'd loved for more than a decade, whom she believed to be dead, for whom she was willing to sacrifice everything.
But he was alive.
Patricia squatted down, hugged her knees, and wept uncontrollably.
Her emotions were indescribable. A mix of resentment, anger, and the joy of reclaiming something lost. All these emotions merged, culminating in tears.
It seemed the only way she could find relief was through such an outpouring.
Patricia and Charles wept. Alan too shed silent tears.
Even the bodyguards, caught up in the wave of emotion, found their eyes reddening.
Though Martin remained silent, his fists clenched tight against Charles' back, his veins standing out as he fought to contain his surging emotions. A somber mood surrounded them.
Witnessing Patricia cry to the point of near faintness, her voice raw, he reached out to gently touch her head.
"Patricia..."
Alan attempted to speak, but emotion choked his words before he could form them.
Ashamed, Alan hung his head and said, "Boss, I'm sorry. I broke my promise. You can punish me however you see fit; I won't protest."
But Martin had no thought of reprimanding him. He recognized that Alan had his best interests in mind. Ultimately, Martin blamed himself for the situation's escalation. He held no one else responsible.
Perhaps tired from crying, Patricia dried her tears and looked up at Martin.
Gathering his courage, Martin was about to speak, but Patricia interrupted him with a sudden, sharp slap. The force of it turned Martin's head.
Charles was shocked. "Mommy, why did you slap Daddy?"
Patricia, disregarding his question, grabbed Martin by the collar, shaking him violently. "Why? Why did you deceive me? Do you realize the agony I've endured? I wanted to join you in death!"
Martin found his voice again. "I—I didn't mean to lie to you."
Tears still streaming, Patricia retorted, "Didn't mean to? Then why adopt the alias James? Why keep your true identity from me? I've tried so many times to confirm it, yet you've always evaded the truth. Your deception has caused me unbearable pain. Did it amuse you to see me so distraught?"
Her barrage of questions left Martin overwhelmed by remorse.
Alan, observing Martin's distress, intervened. "Ms. Watson, we should discuss this privately, not here."
Though the onlookers had been dispersed by Martin's team, the summer heat was intense. Concern for Martin's health in such conditions was evident.
Charles added, "Yes, Mommy, let's go home to talk. Now that we've found Daddy, we can't let him go."
Patricia's stare bore into Martin. "No matter your reasons, I can't forgive you. Never."
With those words, she stormed away without a backward glance.
"Mommy..." Martin whispered.
Charles hurried after her, understanding her pain.
Why did Daddy have to fake his death? Why did he have to make them all suffer so much? But the joy of having his father back outweighed any resentment.
Mommy was different from him. Mommy almost ended her own life because of Daddy's death. Their relationship was unmatched by anyone else. Not even their three children could compare.
"Patricia..." Martin wanted to follow her, but barely a few steps later, his strength failed. His legs buckled, his body swayed, and he collapsed.
"Boss!"
Hearing the commotion, Charles whipped around, his eyes widening in shock. "Daddy?"
Alan was quick to react, catching Martin just as he fell.
"Boss, are you alright?"
Charles hesitated, his gaze torn between Patricia disappearing in the distance and his father on the ground. With a determined look, he dashed back to Martin, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Daddy, what's wrong?"
Martin managed a final glance at Charles before his eyes closed, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
Both Alan and Charles cried out.
Charles sobbed. "Alan, what's wrong with my daddy? Why did this happen?"
"Don't worry, Charles. He's going to be okay. Let's get him to the hospital," Alan reassured him, then signaled to the bodyguards. They quickly lifted Martin into the car and raced towards the hospital.
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