Chapter 4 - The Child She Wanted Dead
The missing page became the center of our lives.
Adrian hired forensic investigators.
I searched through every box of my mother's belongings.
Vanessa disappeared again.
Not because she ran.
Because someone had tried to kill her.
She was found in a parking garage with a gunshot wound to her shoulder.
Adrian brought her to a private clinic under another name.
That was when I realized something.
He no longer cared about the divorce.
Not really.
His entire focus had become keeping me and the baby alive.
Three days later, our prenatal doctor called.
“There’s been a request to access your medical records.”
“From whom?”
“The request was denied.”
I felt cold.
“Was it from Adrian?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
The doctor paused.
“Your husband's legal office.”
Adrian and I looked at each other.
His attorney had not asked.
Someone had used his credentials.
We contacted the hospital's security department.
The request had come from a temporary employee.
A woman.
She had quit immediately afterward.
Her photograph was blurry.
But Adrian recognized her.
“Celeste's assistant.”
The walls felt closer.
That evening, Adrian told me I was leaving Chicago.
“You’re going to Wisconsin.”
“No.”
“Evelyn.”
“I’m not hiding.”
“This isn't hiding.”
“You keep moving me from one room to another like I'm a package.”
His eyes flashed.
“I am trying to keep you alive.”
“And I am trying to keep my life from becoming yours.”
He looked at me.
I could see the exhaustion in his face.
“When I married you, I didn't know any of this.”
“I know.”
“When I got pregnant, I thought we'd finally have something normal.”
His expression softened.
“I wanted that too.”
I looked away.
“Then why did you let Vanessa come between us?”
“I didn't.”
“You filed for divorce.”
“Because I thought she was the threat.”
“And now?”
“Now I think I was being manipulated.”
I swallowed.
“What would happen if the baby weren't involved?”
Adrian answered immediately.
“I would still want you.”
The room went quiet.
I had not expected that.
He took one step toward me.
“I know I don't deserve forgiveness yet.”
“You're right.”
“I know I broke your trust.”
“Yes.”
“But I'm not giving up on you.”
I stared at him.
“That's not your decision.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
That night, we received a package.
No sender.
Inside was a tiny pink baby bracelet.
A note was attached.
For the little girl who should never be born.
I felt sick.
Adrian's security team locked down the townhouse.
He looked at the bracelet for a long time.
Then he whispered, “They made a mistake.”
“What?”
“They think this is about the baby.”
“Isn't it?”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“This is about the inheritance.”
“What inheritance?”
He explained.
If Adrian died without a direct heir, control of several Mercer holding companies would pass to a trust overseen by Celeste and Julian's estate representatives.
But if Adrian had a biological child, those shares could not be transferred the same way.
Our unborn daughter represented billions.
And someone wanted that inheritance badly enough to kill for it.
I sat down.
“So the divorce settlement…”
“Was another trap.”
“How?”
“If I divorced you without acknowledging the baby, someone could challenge the trust later.”
I understood.
“They wanted us separated.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because people are easier to control when they're alone.”
The following morning, Adrian changed his will.
He named me temporary guardian of our daughter.
He named Vanessa as witness.
That surprised me.
“Why Vanessa?”
“She knows the truth.”
I looked at him.
“Do you love her?”
He did not hesitate.
“No.”
“What did you love?”
He smiled sadly.
“The memory of who I thought she was.”
I looked down.
“And now?”
“Now I know what I actually love.”
He did not say my name.
He didn't need to.
A week later, Vanessa came to the townhouse.
She looked pale.
“I found the missing page.”
Adrian stood.
“Where?”
“In Celeste's safe.”
She placed it on the table.
I unfolded it.
My mother's handwriting filled the page.
Evelyn, the Mercer family will try to convince you that power protects people. It doesn't. People protect people. Marcus once tried to leave his criminal network. Celeste stopped him. Adrian was only nineteen when the final arrangement was made. His signature was used without his knowledge because Marcus believed his son would one day inherit everything.
I read the next line.
If Adrian ever loves you, protect him from his family. He has spent his entire life believing he must become cruel to survive them.
My vision blurred.
The final sentence was worse.
And if they ever come for your child, do not run. Make them believe you are running toward something they cannot survive without.
I looked at Vanessa.
“What does that mean?”
She shook her head.
“I think your mother left another clue.”
“Where?”
Vanessa pointed to the bracelet.
“Inside.”
Adrian cut it open.
A tiny memory card fell out.
On it was one file.
A video.
My mother appeared on screen.
Older.
Tired.
Afraid.
“Evelyn, if you're watching this, I'm already gone.”
I covered my mouth.
She continued.
“The person who ordered my death is not Marcus.”
Adrian leaned toward the screen.
May you like
“It is someone you have trusted.”
The video cut to black.
