Chapter 7 - The Mansion Where Everyone Was Lying
Hale gave them twenty-four hours.
During those twenty-four hours, Madison learned the truth about her mother's death.
Adrien had found a hidden recording.
Her mother had made it one week before the crash.
Madison watched the screen with tears in her eyes.
“Madison, if you're seeing this, something happened.”
Her mother's voice was older, frightened.
“I need you to know that your father loved you.”
Madison's breath caught.
“He knew you were not his biological daughter.”
“But he chose you.”
“He chose to protect you.”
The recording continued.
“Daniel Vance was involved in the investigation.”
“He made mistakes.”
“Terrible mistakes.”
“But he tried to leave.”
“Hale would not let him.”
Madison covered her mouth.
“And Connor?”
Her mother looked directly into the camera.
“If Connor ever enters your life, be careful.”
“He does not know the truth about you.”
“But Hale may use him.”
The screen went black.
Madison cried quietly.
Adrien sat beside her.
“He loved you,” he said.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“And my mother?”
“She loved you more than anything.”
Madison wiped her face.
“I spent years thinking they left me alone.”
“They didn't.”
“They died.”
“Yes.”
“But they were fighting to keep me alive.”
Adrien nodded.
That changed something.
Madison had spent years believing her past was a wound.
Now she understood it had also been a shield.
The next clue came from Vivienne.
She returned that night.
Adrien raised his weapon.
“Don't.”
Vivienne held up empty hands.
“I came to help.”
“You worked with Hale.”
“Yes.”
Madison stared.
“Why?”
“Because he had my sister.”
“She died.”
Vivienne's face broke.
“No.”
“She didn't.”
“Hale made everyone believe she died.”
“He has kept her hidden for nine years.”
Adrien lowered the gun slightly.
“Where?”
“An old rehabilitation facility outside Helena.”
Lucia immediately began making calls.
Vivienne continued.
“Hale has people everywhere.”
“He plans to use the facility as a transfer point.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow night.”
Madison asked:
“Why tell us now?”
Vivienne looked at her.
“Because Hale doesn't know one thing.”
“What?”
“I stopped being afraid of him.”
The rescue operation began at midnight.
Adrien insisted Madison stay behind.
She refused.
Eventually he compromised.
She would remain inside the command vehicle.
During the operation, they found Hale's people.
They also found Fontineelli's granddaughter.
Alive.
Terrified.
She had been sedated for months.
When she saw Fontineelli, she cried.
The old doctor broke down.
Hale had lost one advantage.
Then they found Connor.
He was being held in a basement cell.
Madison walked toward him.
Connor stared.
“You came.”
“I came for the truth.”
He looked exhausted.
“I never wanted this.”
“You lied to me.”
“Yes.”
“You slept with Jess.”
“Yes.”
“You accused me of cheating.”
“Yes.”
“You knew about my family.”
“I knew something.”
“What did you know?”
Connor swallowed.
“Hale told me your parents had stolen something.”
“And you believed him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because my father disappeared.”
Madison stared.
“He was investigating Hale.”
“Then why betray me?”
Connor closed his eyes.
“Because Hale told me he'd kill Jess's brother.”
Madison looked at him.
“Did you ever love me?”
Connor opened his eyes.
“I don't know.”
Madison nodded slowly.
“That answer is enough.”
She turned away.
Adrien appeared beside her.
“We found the ledger.”
“Where?”
Connor spoke.
“Your mother's grave.”
Madison froze.
“My mother?”
“She hid it there.”
The final piece of the puzzle had been found.
But before they could leave, gunfire erupted.
Hale himself arrived.
He shot one of his own men.
Then smiled.
“Family reunions are always messy.”
He pointed at Madison.
“You have something that belongs to me.”
Madison stepped forward.
“No.”
Hale frowned.
“You don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“You destroyed my family's lives.”
“You destroyed your own.”
“You've been hiding behind men your entire life.”
Madison looked at Adrien.
Then at Hale.
“No.”
“I've been surviving.”
Hale raised the gun.
Adrien moved.
The shot echoed.
Madison screamed.
But Adrien was still standing.
The bullet had struck his shoulder.
May you like
Hale ran.
The chase had begun.
