Chapter 5: The Enemy Inside the Family
The photograph sat between us like a loaded weapon.
Nobody touched it.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, I pointed at the man beside my younger self.
“Who is he?””
Adrian remained silent.
“Adrian.””
His jaw tightened.
Then he answered.
“Thomas Vale.””
The name meant nothing to me.
But Marco reacted immediately.
“You’re sure?””
Adrian looked at him.
“I’d recognize him anywhere.””
“Who is he?””
Adrian placed the photograph on the table.
“Vincent’s right hand.””
Marco frowned.
“Was.””
Adrian looked at him.
“What?””
“Thomas Vale disappeared nine years ago.””
A strange feeling crawled through my chest.
Because my memories were pieces.
Never complete.
But that face?
That face was clear.
“He was there.””
Adrian looked at me.
“At the fire?””
I nodded slowly.
“He carried me outside.””
The room became silent.
“Then why would he leave you?””
I closed my eyes.
“I don’t know.””
The memory returned.
Flames.
Smoke.
My mother’s voice.
Then Thomas standing in the doorway.
He wasn’t angry.
He looked scared.
Like he didn’t want to do what he was doing.
“He said something.””
Adrian stepped closer.
“What?””
I pressed my fingers against my forehead.
“He said, ‘I’m sorry.’”
Nobody moved.
Then Adrian whispered:
“Thomas Vale saved your life.””
“But he told someone I was dead.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
That was the question nobody could answer.
Later that evening, Adrian’s private doctor examined me.
Not because I was injured.
Because Adrian insisted.
The doctor checked old scars on my arms and shoulders.
Years of surviving.
Years of sleeping outside.
Years of being forgotten.
When he finished, he looked at Adrian.
“She suffered more than anyone should.””
Adrian’s expression darkened.
“I know.””
The doctor left.
I sat by the window, looking over New York.
Millions of lights.
Millions of lives.
And somehow, I was supposed to believe I belonged among them.
“You’re quiet,” Adrian said.
I looked over.
“So are you.””
He almost smiled.
“I’m usually not.””
“I noticed.””
He sat across from me.
“Wren.””
“What?””
“If you are Evelyn Whitmore’s daughter…”
I waited.
“You need to understand something.””
“What?””
“Your family’s death changed everything in New York.””
I frowned.
“What do you mean?””
“The Whitmores weren’t just wealthy. They controlled companies, foundations, political connections.””
“And my inheritance?””
“Was worth hundreds of millions.””
I looked down.
“So everyone wanted it.””
“Yes.””
“Including your uncle.””
Adrian didn’t deny it.
The silence answered for him.
I stood.
“I want to leave.””
His eyes narrowed.
“Why?””
“Because everywhere I go, people die.””
“Wren—”
“Your enemies came because of me.””
“No.””
“Yes.””
I pointed toward the photograph.
“They’re hunting me.””
Adrian stood.
“And I’m protecting you.””
“Why?””
His expression changed.
“Because someone should have.””
The words hit harder than I expected.
Before I could respond, the security alarm suddenly activated.
Red lights flashed across the room.
Marco rushed inside.
“Boss!””
Adrian immediately reached for the weapon hidden beneath his jacket.
“What happened?””
“Someone accessed the building.””
“Impossible.””
Marco handed him a tablet.
“We found the entry.””
Adrian looked.
Then his face changed.
“What?””
Marco swallowed.
“The person used your personal security code.””
Adrian stared at the screen.
“That code belongs to only one person.””
“Who?””
Adrian didn’t answer.
He was staring at a name.
A name that made the room colder.
“Vincent Kane.””
A sound came from the hallway.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Confident.
Adrian moved in front of me.
The door handle turned.
Marco raised his weapon.
The door opened.
And an elderly man in an expensive suit stepped inside.
He smiled.
“Adrian.””
Adrian’s face became expressionless.
“Uncle.””
The old man looked past him.
His eyes landed on me.
And he smiled wider.
“So.””
His voice was calm.
“After ten years…”
May you like
He looked directly at me.
“The little princess finally came home.””
