Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW THE WHOLE TRUTH
Adrian didn't speak.
He couldn't.
For years, he believed he knew every betrayal.
Every enemy.
Every person who wanted him destroyed.
But his mother?
No.
That wasn't possible.
"My mother died."
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
"Not according to the records we found."
Claire watched Adrian carefully.
The reaction wasn't anger.
It was something deeper.
Pain.
"She disappeared after your father's death," Marcus continued.
Adrian looked at him.
"You knew?"
"I suspected."
"And you didn't tell me?"
"I didn't have proof."
Adrian turned away.
The room felt heavier.
Claire stepped closer.
"Adrian."
He looked at her.
"My entire life..."
His voice was low.
"I thought I understood what happened."
A pause.
"I thought I knew who hurt me."
Claire reached for his hand.
This time...
he didn't pull away.
"Maybe you were wrong."
Adrian looked at their hands.
Then at her.
"That should scare you."
"What?"
"Being close to me."
Claire shook her head.
"No."
"You don't know what comes with me."
She looked at him.
"I know exactly what comes with you."
A pause.
"Fear."
Another pause.
"Pain."
Another.
"Responsibility."
Her fingers tightened around his.
"But I also know kindness."
Adrian looked away.
Because kindness was harder for him to accept than hatred.
A few hours later, they arrived at the old Mercer factory.
The place had been abandoned for years.
Broken windows.
Rusting machines.
A building full of memories.
Adrian walked inside first.
Claire followed.
Marcus stayed behind.
"Be careful."
Adrian nodded.
Then a voice echoed through the building.
"Still protecting everyone."
Adrian stopped.
Victor stepped out.
But this time...
he wasn't smiling.
"You brought her."
Adrian moved in front of Claire.
Victor laughed.
"Of course."
A pause.
"Always the hero."
"Where is Rebecca?"
Victor looked at him.
"You really only care about that."
"Answer me."
Victor looked around the factory.
"This place was where everything started."
Adrian said nothing.
"Our father built his empire here."
A pause.
"And destroyed everyone around him."
Victor looked at Claire.
"Rebecca found out."
Claire's heart raced.
"What did she find?"
Victor looked back at Adrian.
"The company wasn't built on success."
Silence.
"It was built on crimes."
Adrian's expression changed.
"No."
Victor continued.
"Your father covered everything."
"You're lying."
"Am I?"
Victor pulled out another file.
"Read it."
Adrian didn't move.
"Read it!"
The anger in Victor's voice surprised everyone.
Adrian took the file.
Inside were photographs.
Documents.
Names.
Payments.
Evidence.
Claire watched Adrian's face.
The truth was destroying him.
Then another voice spoke.
"Victor."
Everyone froze.
A woman stepped from the shadows.
Older.
Elegant.
Cold.
Adrian stared.
"No..."
The woman looked at him.
"Hello, Adrian."
His voice barely came out.
"Mom."
Claire felt her heart stop.
Because the person who had been hiding the truth for years...
was finally standing in front of them.
Adrian's mother smiled sadly.
"I’m sorry, son."
A pause.
"But you were never supposed to find out this way."
Adrian stepped forward.
"Why?"
Her eyes filled with regret.
"Because your father wasn't the only monster in this family."
Silence.
Then the factory doors slammed shut.
Locked.
Victor smiled.
Claire looked around.
They were trapped.
And Adrian finally understood.
The enemy wasn't coming for his company.
They were coming for his life.
May you like
And the people closest to him...
had been planning it for years.
