Chapter 7 - Adrian Finally Told Me Why He Destroyed Our Marriage—Then He Asked Me to Do the One Thing That Could Put Both of Us in PrisonHe opened a hidden safe.
Inside was a second folder.
The contents matched mine.
But his had something mine didn't.
A list.
Every person involved in the network.
Some were dead.
Some were missing.
Some were attending his wedding.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“You knew all of this.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I knew you'd try to help.”
“That sounds like you.”
He smiled sadly.
“I know.”
I looked at the list.
“You could expose them.”
“Not alone.”
“Why?”
“Because some of these people are protected by federal agencies.”
“Then what are you asking me to do?”
“Walk into the wedding.”
I stared.
“Why?”
“Because every person we need will be there.”
“What about your fiancée?”
“Valentina isn't pregnant.”
I froze.
“What?”
“She agreed to play the part.”
“The wedding isn't real?”
“No.”
“Then who is the baby's mother?”
He looked at me.
“You already know.”
My heart stopped.
“My daughter?”
He nodded.
I stepped backward.
“You knew?”
“Not at first.”
“Then how?”
“DNA.”
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
I stared.
“You knew I had your child.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you come?”
“Because if I did, they'd know.”
“Who?”
“The people watching you.”
He showed me surveillance photographs.
My townhouse.
The hospital.
Ava's room.
People had been watching.
Adrian had known.
He had kept his distance to protect us.
I wanted to hate him.
It was difficult.
Because he had done something right.
He had protected the daughter I thought I'd raised alone.
Then he said:
“I need your evidence.”
I stared.
“You want me to expose everyone?”
“Yes.”
“And you?”
“Me too.”
“You're willing to lose everything?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
He looked at me.
“Because my daughter deserves a father who isn't afraid to destroy the world he inherited.”
That was the first honest thing he'd said to me in years.
May you like
I nodded.
“Then let's do it.”
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