Chapter 12: The Husband I Thought I Knew
Finding Adrian was easier than I expected.
Because for the first time in years, he wasn't hiding.
He was waiting.
When I arrived at his apartment, he opened the door before I knocked.
Like he knew I was coming.
Like he had been expecting this moment.
His eyes immediately went to the letter in my hand.
"My father wrote that, didn't he?""
I froze.
"You knew?""
Adrian looked away.
"Yes.""
The anger returned instantly.
"You knew about the letter?""
"No.""
He shook his head.
"I knew your father left something behind.""
"How?""
He stepped aside.
"Come in.""
I almost refused.
But I needed answers.
I entered.
The apartment looked different.
Empty.
Cold.
The kind of place where someone lived after losing everything.
Adrian sat down.
"I should have told you years ago.""
"Yes.""
"I should have walked away.""
"Yes.""
"I should have protected you.""
My eyes hardened.
"Yes.""
He nodded.
"I know.""
For once, he didn't defend himself.
That almost made it harder.
"Start talking.""
He took a deep breath.
"Your father discovered Richard was using my company.""
"Using?""
"Controlling.""
Adrian looked at the floor.
"He helped build my business.""
"And destroyed you.""
"Yes.""
A pause.
"But your father realized something.""
"What?""
"Richard couldn't be defeated by attacking him directly.""
"So he needed proof.""
Adrian nodded.
"And that proof was hidden.""
"Where?""
He looked at me.
"With me.""
I stared.
"Why?""
"Because Richard trusted me.""
The irony was painful.
"Your father knew Richard would never suspect someone he controlled.""
"And you agreed to help him?""
Adrian closed his eyes.
"At first.""
I waited.
"Then I met you.""
His voice became quieter.
"And everything became complicated.""
I hated that phrase.
Complicated.
A word people used when they wanted to avoid responsibility.
"You married me for a mission.""
"Yes.""
"You betrayed me.""
"Yes.""
"You hurt me.""
His eyes closed.
"Yes.""
I looked at him.
"Then why should I believe anything you say now?""
He had no answer.
Because there wasn't one.
Trust didn't return because someone apologized.
It had to be rebuilt.
If it could be rebuilt at all.
Adrian reached into a drawer.
And placed something on the table.
A small device.
"What is that?""
"A backup drive.""
I stared.
"What's on it?""
"Everything.""
My heart raced.
"Richard's accounts.""
He nodded.
"Political payments.""
Another nod.
"Daniel's involvement.""
"Yes.""
"And your evidence against them?""
He looked at me.
"Yes.""
I picked it up.
"Why didn't you use this?""
His expression changed.
"Because Richard had something too.""
"What?""
A painful silence.
Then:
"Your father’s final recording.""
I froze.
"My father?""
Adrian nodded.
"He recorded a conversation before he died.""
"With who?""
Adrian looked at me.
"Richard.""
The room felt silent.
"What did he say?""
Adrian swallowed.
"That if anything happened to him...""
He looked at the drive.
"The evidence should go to Emma Hale.""
My eyes filled.
My father.
Even at the end.
He thought of me.
Adrian continued.
"But Richard found out.""
"And?""
"He forced me to hide it.""
My anger returned.
"You had years.""
"I know.""
"Years.""
"I know.""
"Why didn't you tell me?""
His voice broke.
"Because every day I stayed silent, I became more afraid.""
I looked at him.
"Afraid of what?""
He whispered:
"That if Richard lost everything, he would come after you.""
A long silence.
Then I asked:
"Do you still love me?""
The question surprised both of us.
Adrian looked devastated.
"Yes.""
I nodded slowly.
"That's the problem.""
He looked at me.
"Because I don't know if I can ever love you the same way again.""
He accepted that.
Because he knew he earned it.
I stood.
Taking the drive.
"I need time.""
Adrian nodded.
"Take it.""
As I reached the door, he spoke.
"Emma.""
I stopped.
"I really am sorry.""
I didn't turn around.
Because part of me believed him.
And that was the most dangerous part.
Outside, my brothers waited.
Marcus looked at the drive.
"Is that it?""
I looked back at Adrian's apartment.
"No.""
They looked at me.
"It's the beginning.""
Because now we had the evidence.
We had the truth.
But we also had one final problem.
Richard Voss knew we were getting close.
May you like
And desperate men with everything to lose...
Were the most dangerous people alive.
