Chapter 11 - THE TRAITOR INSIDE
Adrian returned to Ashford Manor three days later.
Emily came with him.
She hated the idea.
Adrian refused to discuss it.
“You were shot because of me.”
“I was shot because Helena pulled a trigger.”
“You’re staying here.”
“You don’t own me.”
Adrian stared at her.
“Correct.”
“Then stop giving orders.”
“I don’t know how.”
Emily almost smiled.
Noah loved the manor.
Especially the kitchen.
Especially Rosa, the seventy-year-old cook who kept feeding him cannoli despite Emily’s protests.
For several hours, the house almost felt normal.
Then Marcus found the traitor.
His name was Daniel Price.
Assistant head of security.
Twelve years of service.
Adrian trusted him.
Marcus placed financial records on the desk.
“Three transfers from Helena’s shell company.”
Daniel stood silently.
Adrian looked at him.
“Why?”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“My daughter.”
Adrian frowned.
“She needed surgery.”
“Why didn’t you ask me?”
“Because I didn’t want charity.”
“So you sold me instead?”
Daniel looked ashamed.
“They said nobody would get hurt.”
Adrian laughed without humor.
“They tried to kill me twice.”
“I didn’t know.”
“You gave them security schedules.”
Daniel looked at the floor.
“Yes.”
“You told them Emily was at the wedding.”
“Yes.”
Adrian’s face went cold.
“You gave them Noah’s address.”
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry.”
Emily stood in the doorway.
She had heard everything.
“You gave them my son?”
Daniel turned.
“I didn’t know they would take him.”
“You gave criminals the address of a sick six-year-old.”
“I was desperate.”
Emily walked toward him.
“So was I.”
Daniel lowered his head.
Emily’s voice shook.
“I slept in a car.”
“I skipped meals.”
“I sold my wedding ring.”
“I begged hospitals for payment plans.”
“And I never sold somebody else’s child.”
Daniel had no answer.
Adrian watched her.
Something in his chest tightened.
Marcus took Daniel away.
That night, Adrian found Emily on the balcony.
She wore a sweater over her bandages.
“You should be resting.”
“You should stop ordering people around.”
“Impossible.”
She smiled.
For a while, they sat quietly.
Then Emily said, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
“You paid Noah’s hospital bill.”
“I didn’t know it was Noah.”
“That’s not the point.”
Adrian looked out at the dark gardens.
“The foundation exists to help people.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
“I’m not thanking you.”
He looked surprised.
Emily continued.
“I’m telling you it mattered.”
Adrian’s face softened.
“My father believed kindness created weakness.”
“He was wrong.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Adrian looked at her.
Emily stepped closer.
“You spent years making sure nobody saw you hurt.”
“You think that’s strength.”
“It isn’t always.”
He studied her.
“And what is?”
“Letting somebody stay when you’re hurting.”
Silence.
Adrian looked at her mouth.
Emily noticed.
Neither moved.
Then Noah shouted from inside.
“Mom!”
Emily jumped back.
Adrian smiled.
“Excellent timing.”
She laughed.
Then Marcus ran onto the balcony.
“Adrian.”
His face killed the moment.
“We found Victor.”
“Where?”
“Manhattan.”
Marcus hesitated.
“He’s inside Moretti Tower.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“That’s impossible.”
“No.”
May you like
Marcus looked at him.
“He just took the board hostage.”
