Chapter 4: The Letter
The envelope felt heavier than it should have.
I stood beneath the ballroom lights with my father's handwriting staring back at me.
*Do not forgive him.*
My thumb traced the edge of the seal.
Adrian took one step toward me.
“Give me that.””
Marcus immediately moved in front of him.
“You've done enough.””
Adrian glared at him.
“This doesn't concern you.””
Marcus's voice stayed calm.
“She is our sister. Everything concerning her concerns us.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Did my father really write this?””
Daniel nodded.
“Two nights before your wedding.””
“Why didn't you give it to me then?””
“Because your father instructed me not to.””
I frowned.
“He knew Adrian was dangerous?””
Daniel hesitated.
“He suspected.””
Adrian laughed bitterly.
“This is insane. Her father hated me.””
“No,” Daniel said.
“He investigated you.””
The laughter disappeared from Adrian's face.
Daniel opened another section of the folder.
“Your father discovered that Adrian had been contacting your financial advisers before the wedding.””
My stomach tightened.
“What was he asking them?””
Daniel looked at me.
“About your inheritance.””
The room seemed to tilt.
Adrian shook his head.
“That's not what happened.””
I looked at him.
“Then tell me what happened.””
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Vanessa stared at him.
“You told me there was no inheritance.””
Adrian turned sharply.
“Vanessa.””
“You said her family was broke.””
“They were.””
Daniel interrupted.
“Her family wasn't.””
He placed another document on the table.
“Her father transferred the first portion of the trust into an account Adrian controlled shortly after the wedding.””
I stopped breathing.
“How much?””
Daniel answered quietly.
“Four hundred thousand dollars.””
A gasp came from somewhere behind me.
I looked at Adrian.
“You told me we couldn't afford a house.””
“You were too young to understand the finances.””
“You bought a house.””
“Our house.””
“With my money.””
Adrian's silence answered for him.
Vanessa stepped backward.
“Adrian…”
He snapped at her.
“Not now.””
She shook her head.
“You told me she had nothing.””
I watched something change between them.
The loyalty disappeared first.
Then the affection.
Then fear replaced both.
I broke the seal.
The paper inside was folded three times.
My father's handwriting filled the first page.
I read the first sentence.
My little girl, if you're reading this, something I feared has happened.
My vision blurred.
I wiped my eyes and continued.
I don't know whether I'm wrong about Adrian. I hope with everything I have that I am.
My hand began shaking.
But if I'm right, he will make you believe you have nobody but him.
I looked up.
Adrian was staring at me.
He knew.
He knew exactly what was written there.
I continued.
He may tell you your brothers abandoned you.
My lips parted.
They did not.
A sob escaped me.
Marcus looked down.
Julian closed his eyes.
Caleb turned away.
The next line made my chest ache.
They will come if you call them.
I lowered the letter.
For eight years, I had never called.
Because Adrian had made sure I believed they wouldn't answer.
I looked at Marcus.
“You tried?””
He nodded.
“Every year.””
Julian swallowed.
“Every birthday.””
Caleb added, “Every Christmas.””
Marcus's eyes filled.
“Every time you disappeared.””
I covered my mouth.
Then my phone vibrated.
Once.
Twice.
I looked down.
A notification from an unknown number appeared.
*We need to talk about the second account.*
Below it was an account number I recognized.
The account Adrian had told me didn't exist.
May you like
And the message continued:
*Your husband doesn't know we've found it.*
