Chapter 6 - Adrian Kane Told Me He Loved My Daughter Like His Own—Then Nathaniel Walked Into the Room and Heard Every WordThe next weeks became a strange kind of war.
Nathaniel remained hidden.
Adrian increased security.
I worked from the penthouse.
Mia adapted faster than any adult could.
She called Adrian “Mr. Handsome.”
She called Nathaniel “Daddy.”
And she called me “Mommy” with the same confidence she had always had.
One evening, Mia asked:
“Can Daddy stay?”
Nathaniel looked at me.
I didn't answer immediately.
Finally, I said:
“He can visit.”
Mia smiled.
“Can Mr. Handsome visit too?”
Adrian laughed.
“Apparently I'm invited.”
Nathaniel smiled.
For the first time, the two men didn't look like enemies.
They looked like fathers.
Different kinds.
But fathers.
One night, Adrian found me on the balcony.
“You're thinking too much.”
“I always think too much.”
He smiled.
“I noticed.”
I looked at him.
“Why are you doing all this?”
“Because I care.”
“About Mia?”
“Yes.”
“Only Mia?”
He became quiet.
I knew the answer before he spoke.
“No.”
My heart stopped.
“Claire…”
“Don't.”
“I need to tell you.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm still married.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“And Nathaniel is alive.”
“I know.”
“And he's Mia's father.”
“I know.”
“I don't know what I'm feeling.”
“You don't have to.”
I looked at him.
“You deserve someone who isn't broken.”
Adrian smiled.
“Then it's convenient that I don't think you're broken.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“You don't know me.”
“I know enough.”
He stepped closer.
“I know you sacrificed seven years for your daughter.”
“I know you built a life from nothing.”
“I know you wake up every night to check whether she's breathing.”
“And I know you pretend you're stronger than you are.”
I whispered:
“Adrian.”
He touched my hand.
“I love you.”
I couldn't breathe.
Then the door opened.
Nathaniel stood there.
He had heard everything.
Silence.
He looked at Adrian.
Then me.
Then smiled sadly.
“I knew this day would come.”
I shook my head.
“It's not what you think.”
Nathaniel laughed softly.
“It is exactly what I think.”
He looked at Adrian.
“Take care of her.”
Adrian stared.
“You're serious?”
“Yes.”
Nathaniel looked at me.
“I lost the right to ask you to wait.”
I cried.
“Don't do this.”
He smiled.
“You deserve happiness.”
Then he left.
I stood there crying.
Adrian didn't touch me.
He simply stood beside me.
And somehow, that made everything harder.
The next morning, Nathaniel disappeared.
He left one message.
I'm going after Samuel.
I called him.
No answer.
Adrian looked at me.
“We'll find him.”
“I don't want him to die.”
“I know.”
“I don't want Mia to lose her father again.”
“I know.”
Adrian hugged me.
For the first time, I let him.
I cried against his chest.
Then Mia walked in.
She stopped.
“Are you hugging?”
Adrian smiled.
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“Good.”
Then she walked away.
Adrian laughed.
“She approves.”
I wiped my tears.
“She is six.”
“She's terrifying.”
I smiled.
Three days later, Samuel Cross sent us a message.
A video.
Mia playing in the park.
Taken from a distance.
My blood froze.
A message appeared:
Bring Nathaniel to me.
Another:
Or the next video will be closer.
I showed Adrian.
His expression became ice.
“We're going to find him.”
“How?”
“Samuel wants Nathaniel.”
“So?”
“So Nathaniel is bait.”
I stared at him.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“We're not using him.”
Adrian looked at me.
“We're not.”
He paused.
“We're using Samuel's certainty.”
“What does that mean?”
“He thinks he controls the board.”
May you like
Adrian smiled.
“We let him.”
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