Chapter 4 - The Wedding Wasn't About an Heir at All—Adrian Had Been Searching for My Missing Mother, and Her Secret Was Connected to His EmpireI confronted Agent Hale.
My mother's photograph was on his desk.
He stared.
“This person is supposed to be dead?”
“Yes.”
“Who was she?”
“My mother.”
He checked the date.
Eight months ago.
Same month my divorce was finalized.
Same month I disappeared.
His expression changed.
“What if Adrian knew?”
“What?”
“What if he knew your mother was alive?”
“Why wouldn't he tell me?”
“Because he needed leverage.”
I hated the idea.
But it made sense.
My mother had worked for Moretti's family before I was born.
She had handled financial accounts.
She knew people.
She knew secrets.
Then she disappeared.
Adrian had told me she died unexpectedly.
I believed him.
Maybe I shouldn't have.
I went to Chicago early.
I rented a hotel under another name.
The wedding rehearsal was already underway.
I watched from a distance.
Adrian looked happy.
He was surrounded by people.
Valentina stood beside him.
She touched her stomach.
The crowd applauded.
Then Adrian looked across the room.
He saw me.
For one second, his expression froze.
Then he smiled.
He walked over.
“Mia.”
I looked at him.
“Congratulations.”
He stared at me.
“You came.”
“I promised.”
His eyes moved toward my handbag.
I knew what he was thinking.
Documents.
Evidence.
My secrets.
Then a strange expression passed across his face.
“What are you holding?”
“A purse.”
He almost laughed.
“You look different.”
“I am different.”
He stared at me.
“You had a baby?”
I looked at him.
“Yes.”
His face went blank.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Boy or girl?”
“Girl.”
He smiled.
“That's nice.”
I almost told him.
Then stopped.
Not yet.
He stepped closer.
“Are you happy?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
Then whispered:
“I hope you understand that everything I did…”
He stopped.
I waited.
“Doesn't matter.”
He turned away.
Before he could leave, Valentina approached.
“Mia?”
She smiled.
“I'm glad you came.”
I studied her.
“Congratulations.”
She touched her stomach.
“You must be thrilled for Adrian.”
“I am.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“Good.”
Then she leaned closer.
Quietly:
“Did your mother ever tell you about the Aurelia account?”
My blood froze.
I looked at her.
“Why?”
She smiled.
“Because tomorrow, you'll learn why you're really here.”
Then she walked away.
I didn't sleep that night.
The wedding wasn't a celebration.
May you like
It was a trap.
And someone had invited me because they wanted me inside.
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