Chapter 19 - THE PROMISE
Adrian's father had known everything.
He had known about Claire.
About Margaret.
About Edward.
About the trust.
And about Adrian's feelings for the little girl who had once hidden beneath a staircase with him.
The letter explained why he had separated them.
He believed distance would keep Claire alive.
He had arranged for Adrian's memories to be treated after the trauma because Vincent had threatened to kill Claire if Adrian remembered.
The decision had protected them.
But it had also stolen years.
At the bottom of the letter was a single sentence.
One day, if you find her again, don't make the mistake I made. Don't let fear decide who you love.
Adrian folded the letter.
Claire was crying.
“He loved you.”
“I know.”
“He was trying to protect us.”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“Then maybe we should stop living like we're waiting for something terrible to happen.”
Adrian smiled.
“What do you suggest?”
Claire took his hand.
“Something ordinary.”
“Such as?”
“Dinner.”
“That sounds dangerous.”
She laughed.
“Then marriage.”
Adrian stared at her.
“Marriage?”
“Not tomorrow.”
“Good.”
“Not next month.”
“Better.”
“Maybe someday.”
He kissed her forehead.
“I can work with someday.”
Lily came running into the room.
“Mommy!”
Claire turned.
Lily held a drawing.
It showed four people.
Claire.
Adrian.
Lily.
And Victor.
Behind them stood a house.
Not the Moretti estate.
A smaller house.
Warm.
With flowers.
Adrian crouched.
“What's this?”
“Our new home.”
Claire smiled.
“You don't like the mansion?”
“No.”
Lily shook her head.
“It's too big.”
Adrian nodded solemnly.
“Fair criticism.”
“And Mr. Adrian?”
“Yes?”
“You should marry Mommy.”
Adrian looked at Claire.
Claire covered her face.
“Lily.”
“What?”
“You can't just tell people that.”
“Why?”
Adrian smiled.
“She's right.”
Claire looked at him.
“You're both impossible.”
That evening, they ate dinner together.
Nothing dramatic happened.
No gunshots.
No secrets.
No threats.
For the first time, ordinary felt extraordinary.
Then Adrian's phone rang.
Daniel.
Adrian answered.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“We found something in Edward's files.”
Adrian's expression changed.
“What?”
“A name.”
“Whose?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Your mother's.”
Adrian went still.
“My mother died when I was six.”
“I know.”
“What does the file say?”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“It says she didn't die from illness.”
Adrian looked across the table.
Claire saw his expression.
“What happened?”
Adrian didn't answer.
Because underneath the file was another photograph.
A woman standing beside Edward.
Adrian's mother.
Alive.
Taken six months after her supposed death.
The past had one final secret.
And this time Adrian refused to let it control his future.
He closed the file.
“Not tonight.”
Daniel was silent.
“Boss?”
“I've spent my entire life chasing ghosts.”
He looked at Claire.
“I'm done.”
He hung up.
Claire smiled.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
“What if she's alive?”
Adrian took Claire's hand.
“Then tomorrow we'll find her.”
“And tonight?”
May you like
He smiled.
“Tonight, I choose you.”
