THE LAWYER WHO LOVED HER ENEMY

Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

THE THINGS WE DON'T SAY

The next morning, I woke up with one thought.

Don't trust Adrian Cross.

It was the first thing that entered my mind when I opened my eyes.

And somehow, it was also the hardest thing to accept.

I stared at the ceiling for several minutes.

My mother's words from the night before continued playing inside my head.

Your father said never to trust a Cross.

Then came Victor's words from the conversation I hadn't heard myself but somehow knew Adrian would never tell me.

You were there the night her father died.

I didn't know the details.

I didn't know what happened that night.

But I knew one thing.

Adrian knew more than he had told me.

And that hurt.

Not because he was a Cross.

But because I had trusted him.

I had trusted the person behind the surname.

The boy who brought me coffee.

The partner who stayed beside me during our mock trial.

The person who noticed when my hands shook before I spoke.

The person who had looked at me in the rain and said he hoped one day I would understand.

How could someone who had been so kind to me be connected to the worst chapter of my family's life?

I didn't have an answer.

So I decided not to ask him.

Not yet.

---

By the time I arrived at the university, I had already made my decision.

I would keep my distance.

No more studying together.

No more unnecessary conversations.

No more coffee.

No more pretending that we were becoming friends.

Most importantly—

I would investigate the Cross family myself.

I entered the classroom.

Adrian was already there.

He was sitting in our usual row.

Alone.

The seat beside him was empty.

My seat.

He looked up when I entered.

For a second, his expression softened.

Then he noticed the distance in my face.

The softness disappeared.

"Good morning."

I nodded.

"Morning."

I walked past him.

His eyes followed me.

I sat three rows behind him.

He didn't say anything.

Neither did I.

But I could feel his eyes on me for the entire lecture.

---

After class, Professor Reyes announced another assignment.

"Your first major research project will be completed individually."

Several students groaned.

She smiled.

"You wanted to become lawyers. Lawyers research."

She began distributing topics.

When she reached my desk, she placed a folder in front of me.

"Ms. Vale."

I looked at the title.

Corporate Accountability and Fraudulent Financial Transactions.

My stomach tightened.

Of all possible topics.

"Is there a problem?"

I looked at Professor Reyes.

"No, Professor."

Her eyes remained on mine for a moment.

Then she walked away.

I stared at the folder.

It couldn't be coincidence.

Or maybe I was becoming paranoid.

Either way, I had work to do.

---

"Serena."

I heard Adrian behind me as I left the building.

I continued walking.

"Serena, wait."

I stopped.

He caught up.

"What?"

He looked at me.

"Did I do something?"

"No."

"Then why are you avoiding me?"

"I'm not."

"You moved three rows away."

"I wanted a different seat."

"You've been avoiding eye contact."

"I'm tired."

"You didn't answer my messages."

"I was busy."

He stared at me.

"You've used every excuse except the truth."

I looked away.

"Maybe I don't want to talk."

His expression changed.

"About yesterday?"

I didn't answer.

"Serena."

I turned toward him.

"What do you want me to say?"

"The truth."

"That's ironic."

He went still.

"What does that mean?"

"You told me you don't know what happened to my father."

"I don't."

"But you know something."

He didn't answer.

I continued.

"You were there."

His eyes hardened.

"I told you."

"You told me you were thirteen."

"I was."

"But you remember."

He looked away.

"I remember pieces."

"What pieces?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why?"

"Because—"

He stopped.

I waited.

He looked at me.

"Because I promised."

"To your father?"

He nodded.

I felt something inside me crack.

"So you chose him."

"No."

"Then tell me."

"I can't."

"You can."

He stepped closer.

"I could tell you everything I remember."

"Then do it."

His eyes met mine.

"But if I do..."

He paused.

"...you'll never look at me the same way again."

I swallowed.

"I already don't."

The words hurt both of us.

I saw it in his face.

He stepped back.

"Okay."

His voice was quiet.

"I understand."

He walked away.

I watched him go.

And for the first time, I wondered whether I had just pushed away the only person who might actually help me uncover the truth.

But I couldn't allow myself to trust him.

Not yet.

---

That afternoon, I went to the university library.

I requested every publicly available record related to the 2011 investigation.

The librarian brought me several volumes.

I spent hours reading.

Most of the information was already familiar.

Financial irregularities.

Corporate transfers.

Daniel Vale accused of unauthorized access.

Cross Holdings denying involvement.

Then I found something new.

A witness statement.

The name was partially redacted.

But the initials were visible.

A.C.

I froze.

Adrian Cross.

I read the statement.

«I heard them arguing.»

My heart began beating faster.

«Mr. Vale said the documents were not supposed to be changed.»

I continued.

«Mr. Cross told him to stop.»

My hands trembled.

There was more.

«Then someone came into the room.»

The next line had been blacked out.

I turned the page.

Nothing.

I turned another.

Missing.

I searched the surrounding pages.

Nothing.

Someone had removed part of the statement.

Again.

My breathing became shallow.

I looked at the date.

June 14, 2011.

The same night.

I copied the reference number into my notebook.

Then I heard footsteps.

I quickly closed the file.

A man stood at the end of the aisle.

He was wearing a gray suit.

I didn't recognize him.

He looked directly at me.

Then at the file.

My heart jumped.

I stood.

"Can I help you?"

He didn't answer.

Instead, he turned and walked away.

I followed.

"Excuse me!"

He disappeared around the corner.

I hurried after him.

But the hallway was empty.

I stood there, confused.

Then I noticed something on the floor.

A business card.

I picked it up.

Marcus Reyes.

The same man I had seen talking to Adrian.

I stared at the name.

Why was he here?

And why had he been watching me?

---

That evening, I found Adrian outside the university.

He was standing beside his car.

When he saw me, he didn't approach.

He simply waited.

I walked toward him.

"Who's Marcus Reyes?"

His expression immediately changed.

"Where did you hear that name?"

"Answer me."

"Where?"

"I found his card in the library."

Adrian looked around.

"Did he talk to you?"

"No."

"Did he approach you?"

"He was watching me."

Adrian's face became serious.

"Did you see where he went?"

"He disappeared."

Adrian ran a hand through his hair.

"Serena, you need to stay away from him."

"Why?"

"Because he's dangerous."

"Who is he?"

"An investigator."

"Working for your father?"

"No."

"Then who?"

Adrian hesitated.

"He's investigating the 2011 case."

I stared at him.

"How do you know?"

"Because I've been looking for him."

My eyes widened.

"You've been investigating too?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I didn't know if I could trust him."

I laughed bitterly.

"You don't trust him, but you expect me to trust you?"

"I never asked you to trust me."

"Then what are you asking?"

He looked at me.

"To let me help you."

I shook my head.

"No."

"Serena."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because every time I get close to you, I find another secret."

He looked hurt.

"I have secrets because I'm trying to protect you."

"I don't need protection."

"I know."

"Then stop treating me like I do."

He became quiet.

I stepped closer.

"I need the truth."

"I know."

"Then give it to me."

He looked down.

"I can't give you something I don't fully have."

I studied him.

For the first time, I believed him.

But belief wasn't trust.

Not yet.

---

The next morning, something happened that changed everything.

Professor Reyes entered the classroom carrying a thin brown envelope.

She placed it on her desk.

Then looked at me.

"Ms. Vale."

"Yes, Professor?"

"Come with me."

Several students looked at us.

I stood.

Adrian immediately turned around.

His eyes followed me.

Professor Reyes led me into the hallway.

She closed the door behind us.

Then handed me the envelope.

"What is this?"

"Something your father left behind."

My hands went cold.

"What?"

"Before his death, he gave this to someone he trusted."

"Who?"

"Me."

I stared at the envelope.

There was no name on it.

Only one sentence.

For Serena, when she is old enough to understand.

My heart stopped.

"Why now?"

"Because you're investigating."

I looked at her.

"You knew I would?"

"Your father knew."

My fingers trembled as I opened the envelope.

Inside was a single handwritten letter.

I recognized the handwriting immediately.

My father's.

My eyes filled with tears.

I unfolded it.

My dearest Serena,

I stopped breathing.

The world around me disappeared.

If you're reading this, then you're old enough to understand why I kept certain things from you.

Tears slipped down my cheeks.

I want you to know one thing before everything else.

I never betrayed my clients.

I covered my mouth.

And the Cross family is not the only family involved.

I froze.

I read the sentence again.

Do not trust anyone who tells you that this case was only about Victor Cross.

My heart pounded.

There was another person involved.

Someone closer to us than you realize.

I looked at Professor Reyes.

She remained silent.

I continued reading.

Someone we trusted.

My hands shook.

Then came the final line.

And Serena... if Adrian Cross ever comes looking for you, listen to what he has to say.

I stared at the page.

Adrian.

Why would my father mention him?

The boy hadn't even been an adult when my father died.

Why would he matter?

I looked at Professor Reyes.

"Why did my father mention Adrian?"

She didn't answer.

"Professor."

Her eyes filled with sadness.

"Because your father knew Adrian wasn't like his father."

I looked down at the letter.

For the first time, the hatred I had carried for the Cross name felt uncertain.

Maybe my father had known something I didn't.

Maybe Adrian had been trying to tell me the truth.

Maybe—

No.

I couldn't let my emotions decide.

I folded the letter carefully.

"Who is the other person?"

Professor Reyes looked at me.

"I don't know."

"You're lying."

She sighed.

"I know who I suspect."

"Who?"

Before she could answer, the classroom door opened.

Adrian stood there.

His eyes immediately went to the letter in my hands.

Then to Professor Reyes.

"She knows."

Professor Reyes became pale.

I looked at Adrian.

"Knows what?"

He didn't answer.

"Adrian."

He slowly walked toward us.

"I need to tell you something."

My heart began racing.

"What?"

He stopped in front of me.

His eyes were filled with fear.

"My father wasn't the only person who wanted your father's investigation to disappear."

"Who else?"

He swallowed.

Then looked directly into my eyes.

"Someone from your father's own law firm."

My breath caught.

"Who?"

Adrian opened his mouth.

But before he could speak, a loud crash came from inside the classroom.

We all turned.

The window had been shattered.

Students screamed.

Glass covered the floor.

And on my desk, where I had left my bag moments earlier, was a single white envelope.

Adrian rushed inside.

I followed.

He picked it up.

There was no name.

Only six words written across the front.

STOP DIGGING OR YOU'LL REGRET IT.

I stared at the message.

My hands went cold.

Adrian looked at me.

"This is why I told you to be careful."

I looked back at him.

For the first time, I wasn't thinking about his surname.

I wasn't thinking about his father.

I wasn't thinking about the photograph.

I was thinking about one terrifying truth.

Someone knew we were investigating.

And whoever that person was...

they were willing to hurt us to keep the past buried.

Adrian stepped closer.

"Serena."

I looked at him.

"From now on..."

His voice was low.

"...you don't go anywhere alone."

I wanted to argue.

I wanted to tell him I didn't need him.

But for the first time, I couldn't.

Because beneath all my anger was a truth I was slowly beginning to understand.

Maybe Adrian Cross wasn't the enemy.

Maybe he was standing beside me because he was afraid of the same person I was.

And perhaps the greatest mistake I could make...

was pushing him away.