Chapter 5 - THE RECORDING
Vanessa survived the gunshot.
The bullet had passed through her side, missing her vital organs by a narrow margin. She was rushed to a private hospital under police protection.
Robert Sterling was arrested that night.
But before Adrian could celebrate, a detective arrived at the mansion with news that changed the case.
"Mr. Moretti, the doctor is missing."
"Richard Hale?"
"His apartment was abandoned. We found blood in the garage and signs of a struggle."
Adrian looked at Elena.
She had barely slept. She sat beside Grace, who had refused to leave her side since the incident.
"He's trying to destroy the evidence," Elena whispered.
Adrian nodded.
"Then we find him first."
Hannah brought the recorder from the Sterling estate.
They listened in the study with Marco Bellini, Adrian's head of security.
At first, the recording contained only Robert's voice discussing the clinic, the forged documents, and the plan to transfer Elena.
Then another voice emerged.
An older man.
A voice Adrian had not heard in six years.
His father.
"Make sure the child is transferred before Elena wakes. The girl will be raised by the Sterling family, and Adrian will believe his wife and daughter are dead."
Adrian went rigid.
His father continued.
"If Elena survives, keep her sedated. If she becomes a threat, make the next transfer permanent."
The recording ended.
No one spoke.
Adrian replayed the final section.
His father's voice was unmistakable.
For six years, Adrian had believed that his father had died peacefully, having made mistakes but ultimately loving his family.
Now he learned that the man had conspired to destroy his wife and child.
Elena took his hand.
"Adrian."
He stared at the recorder.
"I built my life trying to become the man he wanted me to be."
"You are not him."
"I protected his empire. I defended his name. I punished people because I believed that was what a Moretti was supposed to do."
Elena gently squeezed his fingers.
"You can still choose what kind of man you want to be."
He looked at her.
"Can you ever forgive me for not finding you?"
Elena's expression softened.
"You didn't know where I was. They made sure you couldn't find me."
"But I should have questioned the closed coffin."
"You were grieving. They used your grief against you."
For the first time since Elena's return, Adrian allowed himself to cry.
He bent his head and pressed his forehead against her hand.
"I thought I had lost you."
"I know."
"I thought I had lost our daughter."
Elena looked toward Grace.
"She's here now."
Grace had fallen asleep against the sofa cushions, her rabbit tucked beneath her chin.
Adrian approached her and knelt beside the sofa.
He had watched her grow in photographs secretly taken by Hannah from the Sterling estate. He had learned her favorite food, her favorite song, and the name she had given her stuffed rabbit.
But he had never been allowed to hold her.
He brushed a curl away from her forehead.
"Hello, little one," he whispered.
Grace stirred.
"Are you my daddy?"
Adrian's throat tightened.
"Yes."
She studied his face.
"Why didn't you come before?"
He closed his eyes for a moment.
"Because bad people lied to us. But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."
Grace reached for him.
He lifted her carefully into his arms.
For three years, Adrian had mourned an empty coffin.
Now he held the living proof that his family had never truly been gone.
Then Marco entered the room with another report.
"We found Hale's car. It was abandoned near the river."
Adrian looked up.
"Is he dead?"
"No body. But we found a passport, cash, and a ticket to Buenos Aires."
Adrian's expression hardened.
"He won't get far."
Marco hesitated.
"There's something else. The hospital records suggest the doctor has a second copy of the original death certificate. If he destroys it, Robert's lawyers may claim the recording was fabricated."
Adrian looked at Elena.
May you like
She was already standing.
"Then we find him before he destroys the truth."
