Chapter 3 - Adrian Finally Told Naomi Why He Had Spent Three Years Pushing Her Away
The truth came in pieces.
Adrian's older brother, Lucas, had discovered that the Vale family's shipping empire was being used to move illegal cargo.
Lucas had intended to expose it.
Evelyn had helped him.
Naomi's father had helped both of them.
Then someone killed Lucas.
Six months later, Evelyn disappeared.
Four years after that, Naomi's father disappeared.
The official stories were all false.
Naomi stared at Adrian.
“So you knew my family was connected to yours.”
“Yes.”
“And you married me anyway?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
His voice dropped.
“Because your father asked me to.”
She stared.
“When?”
“Three years ago.”
“What did he say?”
“He said someone was coming for you.”
Naomi's eyes filled with tears.
“He knew?”
“Yes.”
“And he never told me?”
“No.”
She laughed sadly.
“Everybody decided what I was allowed to know.”
Adrian looked down.
“I was afraid.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
“Of what?”
“That I'd lose you.”
Naomi froze.
He continued.
“I thought if I kept you angry enough, you would stay away from my world.”
“So you made me miserable.”
“Yes.”
“On purpose.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I believed you were safer hating me.”
She turned away.
“That was cruel.”
“I know.”
“You could have trusted me.”
“I didn't know how.”
Naomi looked at him.
“I thought you didn't love me.”
His face broke.
“I loved you too much.”
Silence.
Naomi's hand moved instinctively toward her abdomen.
Adrian noticed.
His expression softened.
“Is there really a baby?”
“I don't know.”
“Then we'll find out.”
They went to a private clinic.
The doctor confirmed it.
Seven weeks.
A healthy pregnancy.
Adrian sat in silence.
Naomi watched him.
He touched the ultrasound image.
His fingers trembled.
“What are you thinking?”
“I was supposed to lose everything.”
“You haven't.”
He looked at her.
“I know.”
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His security chief spoke.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“We found the man from Naomi's apartment.”
“Alive?”
“Yes.”
“Who sent him?”
A pause.
“Your uncle.”
Adrian's face hardened.
“Which uncle?”
“Marcus.”
Naomi stared.
Adrian had no uncle named Marcus.
At least, not one she knew.
But Adrian did.
Marcus Vale had supposedly died twenty-five years ago.
He had been declared dead after a shipwreck.
Apparently, the man had been alive all along.
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And he wanted Naomi's baby.
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