Chapter 3 - The Girl in the Burning HouseAdrian moved before anyone could stop him.
He grabbed the man holding Clara by the collar and slammed him against the wall.
“Let her go.”
Daniel didn't react.
“That's enough.”
Adrian didn't even look at him.
“Let. Her. Go.”
The man released Clara.
She ran.
Adrian caught her.
She buried her face against his chest.
He felt her shaking.
“You're safe.”
Daniel watched.
“You don't know what you're holding.”
“My daughter.”
The words came out before Adrian could think.
Daniel's expression changed.
“So you believe her.”
“I believe my eyes.”
Daniel laughed quietly.
“Children can be coached.”
Adrian's gaze hardened.
“Then why did you send men to take her?”
Daniel said nothing.
Mr. Cross stepped into the hallway.
“Because you know exactly who Clara is.”
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
“You should have remained unconscious.”
Adrian turned.
“What did he mean?”
Daniel smiled.
“Ask your father.”
“My father's dead.”
“Exactly.”
Adrian felt a chill.
“What are you hiding?”
Daniel looked at Clara.
Then at the baby.
“Mia is the dangerous one.”
Adrian immediately shifted Clara behind him.
“You stay away from her.”
Daniel's voice became almost sympathetic.
“You think this is about money.”
“Isn't it?”
“No.”
He leaned closer.
“It's about blood.”
Then Daniel walked away.
Adrian watched him disappear.
Something was terribly wrong.
He returned to the private room.
Mr. Cross was pale.
“You heard him.”
“Yes.”
“What does he mean about Mia?”
The old lawyer hesitated.
“Before the fire, your father had begun moving money into secret accounts.”
“Why?”
“To protect the family.”
“From whom?”
“From your grandfather.”
Adrian stared.
“My grandfather was dead before I was born.”
“No.”
Adrian's heart stopped.
Mr. Cross pulled out another document.
“Your grandfather disappeared twenty-seven years ago.”
“What?”
“The family announced he had died.”
“Why would they fake his death?”
“Because he discovered the true ownership of the Vale fortune.”
Adrian stared at the papers.
Land.
Companies.
Offshore accounts.
Trusts.
Names he recognized.
Names he didn't.
Then one line caught his eye.
Beneficiary: Clara Vale.
Adrian stopped breathing.
“Why is my daughter's name on this?”
Mr. Cross didn't answer.
Adrian turned the page.
Beneficiary: Mia Vale.
His hands trembled.
“Who created this trust?”
“Your mother.”
“When?”
“Twenty years ago.”
“But Mia is a baby.”
“Yes.”
Adrian looked up.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“It will.”
Mr. Cross took another envelope from his coat.
“This was delivered to me six months ago.”
“By whom?”
“Evelyn.”
Adrian froze.
“She's alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
“Then how did she send you this?”
“Through someone she trusted.”
Adrian ripped open the envelope.
Inside was a photograph of Evelyn standing beside two children.
Clara.
And Mia.
On the back, one sentence had been written.
He must know before they find us.
Adrian felt something inside him crack.
“Who is they?”
Mr. Cross looked toward the windows.
“The same people who caused the fire.”
A loud crash came from the hallway.
Adrian ran outside.
Victoria stood beside an overturned table.
Her face was white.
Clara was gone.
So was Mia.
Adrian grabbed Victoria's shoulders.
“Where are they?”
“I don't know.”
“You were standing right beside them!”
Victoria started crying.
“I tried to stop them.”
“Who?”
She looked at him.
“Your mother.”
Adrian released her.
“What?”
Victoria whispered:
“Your mother took the children before she disappeared.”
“That makes no sense.”
“It does if you knew the truth.”
“What truth?”
Victoria stared at him for a long moment.
Then she said:
“Clara and Mia aren't the only children your mother had.”
Adrian's blood froze.
“What are you talking about?”
May you like
Victoria turned pale.
“There was a third baby.”
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