Episode 17 — What Adrian Found
1754 Words
Adrian didn't sleep.
The next morning, he was already in his office before sunrise.
A cup of untouched coffee sat on his desk.
His eyes were fixed on the city outside the window, but his mind was somewhere else.
Five years ago.
Elena's disappearance.
Her pregnancy.
The threats.
And his father.
Victor Vale.
Adrian hadn't spoken to his father properly in months.
Their relationship had always been complicated.
Victor had raised him to believe that the Vale name came before everything.
Business.
Reputation.
Family.
Love had never been part of the equation.
But Adrian had never imagined his father could have anything to do with Elena leaving.
Until now.
His phone rang.
Marcus.
Adrian answered immediately.
“Tell me you found something.”
“I did.”
Adrian sat up straight.
“What?”
“There are no official records showing Elena left because of anything involving you.”
“I know.”
“But I found something else.”
Adrian waited.
“Five years ago, your father made several private withdrawals from one of his personal accounts.”
Adrian frowned.
“For what?”
“I don't know yet.”
“Then find out.”
“I already did.”
Marcus paused.
“The money was transferred to someone.”
“Who?”
“That's the problem. The account was under a different name.”
Adrian's expression darkened.
“What name?”
Marcus hesitated.
“Daniel Reyes.”
Adrian froze.
“Reyes?”
“Yes.”
Elena's surname.
Adrian stood.
“Are you sure?”
“I checked it twice.”
He walked toward the window.
“Find everything connected to that account.”
“I'm working on it.”
“And Marcus…”
“Yes?”
“Don't tell my father.”
“Understood.”
The call ended.
Adrian stared at his reflection in the glass.
For five years, he had blamed Elena.
He had believed she simply decided to leave him.
But now the pieces were beginning to fit.
And he didn't like the picture they were creating.
At the same time, Elena was getting Noah ready for school.
She tried to act normal.
She made breakfast.
She packed his lunch.
She fixed his hair.
She smiled when he complained about his vegetables.
But her mind was somewhere else.
The messages wouldn't stop haunting her.
You broke your promise.
You went back to him.
She hadn't told Adrian about Victor.
Not yet.
She wasn't ready.
But she knew the truth couldn't stay buried forever.
“Mommy?”
Elena looked down.
“Yes?”
“Why are you quiet?”
“I'm just thinking.”
“About Adrian?”
She smiled.
“Maybe.”
Noah grinned.
“You like him.”
Elena almost dropped the spoon.
“What?”
“You smile when you talk about him.”
She laughed nervously.
“You notice too much.”
“I notice everything.”
Elena kissed his forehead.
“Eat your breakfast.”
Noah smiled.
“Okay.”
Her smile faded when she looked toward the window.
She couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching.
---
After dropping Noah at school, Elena returned home.
She had barely closed the door when her phone rang.
Unknown number.
Her heart stopped.
She stared at the screen.
She didn't answer.
The call ended.
A few seconds later, a message appeared.
You can't hide forever.
Elena's hands began to shake.
Another message followed.
Victor knows.
She stopped breathing.
Victor.
He knew.
But how?
She immediately called the number.
It rang once.
Then someone answered.
“Hello, Elena.”
She recognized the voice.
Her blood ran cold.
“Who are you?”
A quiet laugh came from the other end.
“You really don't remember?”
“I remember enough.”
“Then you know why I'm calling.”
Elena swallowed.
“Leave my son alone.”
There was silence.
Then the voice became colder.
“You should have listened five years ago.”
“You promised you wouldn't bother us.”
“And you promised you would stay away from Adrian.”
“I did.”
“For five years.”
Elena closed her eyes.
“Things changed.”
“No.”
The voice sharpened.
“You changed.”
Elena's breathing became uneven.
“I won't let you threaten me anymore.”
“You should be more careful.”
“What does that mean?”
“You're not the only one who knows where your son goes to school.”
Elena's face went pale.
“Don't.”
“I know his teacher.”
“Please.”
“And I know what time you pick him up.”
Elena gripped the edge of the table.
“If you touch my son—”
“I don't need to touch him.”
The call ended.
Elena immediately grabbed her bag.
She had to get Noah.
Now.
At school, Noah was sitting in his classroom, coloring a picture.
He was drawing three people again.
His teacher smiled.
“Who's that?”
“That's Mommy.”
“And this one?”
“That's me.”
“And him?”
Noah smiled.
“Adrian.”
His teacher looked at the drawing.
“You seem to like Adrian.”
Noah nodded.
“He's my friend.”
Then he added another detail.
“He's going to be my daddy someday.”
The teacher smiled.
“Is that so?”
Noah nodded confidently.
“Mommy just doesn't know yet.”
Elena arrived at the school earlier than usual.
She ran toward the classroom.
“Noah!”
He looked up.
“Mommy!”
He ran into her arms.
Elena hugged him tightly.
“Let's go.”
“Why?”
“We're going home.”
“But school isn't finished.”
“Please, Noah.”
He looked at her face.
“You're scared again.”
Elena forced a smile.
“No.”
“Yes, you are.”
She kissed his forehead.
“Just stay close to Mommy.”
They left the school.
Elena kept looking behind her.
Nothing.
Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was following them.
When they reached home, Elena locked the door.
Then she locked it again.
Noah watched her.
“Mommy?”
“Yes?”
“Are we hiding?”
She froze.
“No.”
“Then why are you locking everything?”
Elena knelt in front of him.
“Because Mommy wants to keep you safe.”
“From what?”
She didn't answer.
A knock came from the door.
Elena's heart stopped.
Another knock.
Noah looked at her.
“Is that Adrian?”
Elena slowly stood.
She didn't know.
She walked toward the door.
“Who is it?”
Silence.
Then a familiar voice.
“Elena.”
Her heart sank.
She opened the door.
Adrian stood outside.
He immediately noticed the fear in her face.
“What happened?”
She couldn't speak.
Adrian looked past her.
Then at Noah.
“Is he okay?”
Elena nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then why did you take him out of school early?”
She stared at him.
“How did you know?”
“Your son's teacher called me.”
Elena frowned.
“What?”
Adrian's expression changed.
“She said you seemed frightened.”
Elena stepped back.
“You shouldn't be here.”
“Why?”
“Because it's not safe.”
Adrian's eyes hardened.
“What do you mean?”
She looked toward Noah.
“Someone knows about him.”
Adrian went still.
“Who?”
“I don't know.”
“Elena.”
She shook her head.
“I received messages.”
“What kind?”
“Threats.”
Adrian's face immediately changed.
“Why didn't you call me?”
“I was going to.”
“No.”
His voice softened.
“You weren't.”
Elena looked down.
“You don't understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
She hesitated.
Then finally said the name she had been afraid to say.
“My father.”
Adrian frowned.
“Your father?”
Elena nodded.
“He was involved five years ago.”
Adrian stared at her.
“What did he do?”
She took a shaky breath.
“He threatened me.”
“With what?”
“With you.”
Adrian's expression darkened.
“What do you mean?”
“He told me that if I stayed with you, he would destroy your future.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“And you believed him?”
“He showed me documents.”
“What documents?”
“Your inheritance.”
He stared at her.
“He said he'd take everything from you.”
Adrian shook his head.
“My father can't control my life.”
“He could then.”
“Elena…”
“He told me that if I didn't leave, he would make sure you lost everything.”
She wiped her tears.
“And then he threatened Noah.”
Adrian's face went pale.
“He threatened our son?”
Elena nodded.
“He said a Vale child wouldn't have a peaceful life if I stayed.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“You should have told me.”
“I was scared.”
“You should have trusted me.”
“I know.”
He looked at Noah.
The little boy was watching them quietly.
Adrian lowered his voice.
“Where is your father now?”
“I don't know.”
“Does he know where you live?”
Elena hesitated.
“I think so.”
Adrian's expression hardened.
“Then we're leaving.”
“What?”
“You and Noah are coming with me.”
“No.”
“Elena.”
“I can't just go with you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don't want to run again.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Then we won't run.”
He reached for her hand.
“We'll face him.”
Elena stared at him.
“You don't know what you're dealing with.”
“Maybe not.”
He squeezed her hand gently.
“But I know what I'm willing to protect.”
His eyes moved toward Noah.
“My son.”
Noah looked up.
Adrian's voice softened.
“And his mother.”
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
For five years, she had carried the fear alone.
But now Adrian was standing beside her.
Not asking her to disappear.
Not asking her to run.
He was asking her to stay.
And for the first time, Elena wondered if maybe—
she didn't have to be afraid anymore.
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