Chapter 4 - The ContractThe man did not approach.
He simply stood by the door.
Emma held the chair between them.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Daniel Cross."
The name meant nothing.
But something about his voice felt familiar.
Daniel looked at the photograph on the table.
"Your father never wanted you to know I existed."
Emma shook her head.
"Why?"
"Because I was the person who discovered the truth."
"What truth?"
Daniel's jaw tightened.
"Your mother didn't die in an accident."
Emma stared at him.
The world seemed to stop.
"What did you say?"
"She was murdered."
Emma's hand trembled.
"No."
"I know what you're going to say. The police report stated brake failure. Your father testified. Adrian's family supported the story."
Emma could barely breathe.
"You're lying."
"I wish I were."
Daniel reached into his coat.
Emma stiffened.
He slowly removed a sealed folder.
He placed it on the table.
Inside were documents.
Medical reports.
Insurance records.
A police photograph.
And one page labeled:
PRIVATE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
Emma scanned the signatures.
Her father's.
Adrian's.
And Margaret Blake's.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
"What is this?"
"A contract."
"Between my father and Adrian?"
Daniel nodded.
"Three years ago, your father discovered that Adrian was planning to marry Vivian."
Emma's eyes burned.
"But why would he pay Adrian to leave me?"
"Because your father believed Adrian knew too much."
"About what?"
Daniel looked at her.
"Your mother."
Emma sat down.
Her hands were numb.
Daniel continued.
"Your father had been using your mother's company accounts to hide money."
Emma stared at him.
"He couldn't."
"He did."
"My father loved her."
"He loved control."
The words cut deeper than Emma expected.
"Then why did Adrian agree?"
"Because Adrian needed money."
"How much?"
"Twenty million dollars."
Emma looked down.
Twenty million.
Daniel slid another document toward her.
Adrian had signed an agreement promising to stay away from Emma for one year.
In return, her father would help finance the Blake family's struggling company.
But there was another clause.
Emma's eyes widened.
"What does this mean?"
Daniel leaned forward.
"Read the final paragraph."
Emma did.
Her face went white.
If Emma discovered the agreement, Adrian would have to publicly deny the relationship and marry Vivian to protect both families.
But why?
"Why would my father want him to marry Vivian?"
Daniel's voice became quiet.
"Because Vivian is his business partner's daughter."
Emma stared.
Everything was connected.
The engagement party.
The business alliance.
The money.
Her father.
Adrian.
Vivian.
But one question remained.
"Why did Adrian stay away from me for one year and then come back?"
Daniel looked away.
"Because the contract expired."
"And then?"
"He came back because he loved you."
Emma laughed bitterly.
"Then why was he with Vivian?"
Daniel didn't answer.
He reached into the folder.
This time, he pulled out a USB drive.
"Because the contract wasn't the only thing your father forced him to sign."
Emma stared at the device.
"What is on it?"
"Proof that Adrian tried to expose your father's crimes."
Emma's breathing stopped.
Daniel continued.
"Your father found out."
"And?"
"He threatened Adrian."
"With what?"
Daniel looked directly into Emma's eyes.
"With you."
A chill passed through her.
"He told Adrian that if he ever betrayed him, you'd die."
Emma covered her mouth.
"No."
Daniel's expression hardened.
"That's why Adrian stayed away."
Emma thought about all the times Adrian had pushed her away.
All the nights he had looked at her with pain.
All the moments when she thought he didn't care.
She suddenly remembered one night.
Adrian had once told her:
"Sometimes loving someone means letting them hate you."
She had thought it was an excuse.
Maybe it wasn't.
Emma looked at Daniel.
"Then why did he let me walk away tonight?"
Daniel's face changed.
"Because he doesn't know."
"Know what?"
"Your father gave the order."
Emma froze.
"What order?"
Daniel's phone rang.
He answered.
"Yes?"
He listened.
Then his expression turned grim.
"How long?"
A pause.
"Twenty minutes."
He hung up.
Emma stood.
"What happened?"
Daniel looked at her.
"They found your father."
"Is he alive?"
Daniel hesitated.
"No."
Emma's knees nearly buckled.
Then Daniel spoke again.
"But before he died, he left one final message."
"For me?"
Daniel nodded.
"Three words."
Emma waited.
May you like
Daniel whispered:
"Trust Adrian, Emma."
