Chapter 7 - The Missing Heir Was Living in Plain Sight
The boy was now an adult.
His name was Gabriel.
He had been raised under another surname.
He had never known his family.
When Adrian found him, the truth devastated everyone.
Gabriel was Marcus's biological son.
But he had been stolen at birth and used as a pawn.
He had no idea about the Vale empire.
No idea about the ledger.
No idea why people had been watching him.
He simply wanted to know why his life had always felt wrong.
Naomi hugged him.
“You're family.”
Gabriel cried.
“I don't know how to be that.”
“You don't have to know yet.”
Adrian stood beside them.
For the first time, the Vale family was no longer a dynasty.
It was simply a group of damaged people trying to repair what had been broken.
Marcus went to prison.
The illegal empire collapsed.
Adrian converted the legitimate businesses into a legal organization.
He sold the remaining criminal assets.
He paid victims.
He created a foundation.
Naomi stayed.
Not because she was trapped.
Because she wanted to.
But Adrian still carried guilt.
One night, he stood on the balcony.
Naomi joined him.
“You're thinking about leaving.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I don't want my past hurting you.”
She touched his arm.
“You don't get to decide that alone.”
“I could make you safer by leaving.”
“You tried that.”
He looked at her.
“It didn't work.”
She smiled.
“No.”
He took her hand.
“I love you.”
She smiled.
“You're finally saying it.”
“I should have said it three years ago.”
“Yes.”
“I was afraid.”
“Yes.”
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
He laughed.
“Do you ever stop being right?”
“No.”
She kissed him.
And for the first time in their marriage, Adrian chose honesty instead of control.
Then Naomi's water broke.
She looked down.
“Oh.”
Adrian froze.
“What?”
“I think…”
Another contraction.
Her eyes widened.
“The baby is coming.”
Adrian stared at her.
Then shouted for help.
The same man who had faced armed enemies without blinking now looked completely terrified.
Naomi laughed.
“Adrian.”
“What?”
“Breathe.”
He did.
“I'm breathing.”
“No, you're panicking.”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
May you like
“Good.”
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