Chapter 18 - ADRIAN'S LAST REQUEST
Adrian asked to see me eighteen months after Grace was born.
Not at my house.
Not alone.
We met in Mia’s office.
He looked different.
Thinner.
Older.
The expensive arrogance was gone.
He had pleaded guilty to several nonviolent federal charges involving records access, conspiracy, and obstruction.
Because he cooperated against Victor and helped identify dozens of victims, he avoided the punishment his father received.
But his career was over.
The Vale name had become poison.
He sat across from me.
“Grace looks like Daniel.”
I froze.
He had received one supervised photograph through the court.
“She does.”
“I researched him.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to know what kind of man I stole from both of you.”
That answer surprised me.
Adrian looked down.
“Daniel had a younger sister.”
My heart shifted.
“What?”
“Her name is Rachel Mercer.”
He slid an envelope across the table.
“She knows about Grace.”
I didn’t touch it.
“You contacted her?”
“I told her the truth.”
Anger rose.
“You had no right.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because I have spent my entire life deciding what other people are allowed to know.”
His voice cracked.
“I’m trying to stop.”
I stared at him.
“She wants to meet Grace someday.”
I took the envelope.
“I’ll decide that.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“You should.”
Silence settled between us.
Then Adrian whispered.
“I’m sorry.”
I had imagined those words for months.
They sounded smaller than I expected.
“I believe you.”
Hope appeared in his face.
I ended it immediately.
“That doesn’t mean I forgive you.”
His eyes dropped.
“I understand.”
“You loved me.”
He looked up.
“Yes.”
“And you still did all of it.”
Tears filled his eyes.
“Yes.”
“That’s the part you need to live with.”
He nodded.
I stood.
“Elena?”
I stopped.
He looked through the glass wall toward Luka waiting outside with Grace.
Luka was bouncing her gently while she tried to steal his watch.
Adrian smiled painfully.
“He’s good with her.”
“Yes.”
“He always was better than me at staying.”
I said nothing.
Adrian looked at me one final time.
“I hope he signs the right paper someday.”
May you like
My breath caught.
Then I walked out.
