The Secret From the Past
991 Words
Elena stared at Adrian.
The message was still on his phone.
Now ask Adrian why his father wanted your family destroyed.
Her heart was beating fast.
“Adrian,” she said quietly. “What does that mean?”
Adrian didn't answer.
He kept staring at the screen.
“Elena, you need to forget this message.”
“Forget it?”
She stepped closer.
“You just told me someone is trying to destroy your family. My father disappeared because of your family. And now someone is saying your father wanted my family destroyed.”
Adrian finally looked at her.
His expression was cold.
But Elena could see something behind his eyes.
Fear.
“You don't understand,” he said.
“Then explain it to me.”
Adrian looked away.
“My father was not a good man.”
Elena froze.
“What did he do?”
Adrian remained silent.
“Tell me.”
“He made enemies.”
“That doesn't answer my question.”
Adrian walked toward the window.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Then he said, “Years ago, my father was involved in a business deal with your father.”
Elena's eyes widened.
“My father?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of deal?”
“I don't know everything.”
“You're lying.”
Adrian turned around.
“I am not lying.”
“You knew my father before you married me.”
Adrian's face became serious.
“Yes.”
Elena felt her chest tighten.
“Then why did you choose me?”
Adrian didn't answer.
She walked closer.
“Was the contract marriage really just about helping my family?”
“It was part of the reason.”
“Then what was the other reason?”
Adrian stared at her.
“You were in danger.”
Elena's heart stopped.
“Danger from who?”
Before Adrian could answer, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed immediately.
“Who is it?” Elena asked.
Adrian ignored the question and answered.
“Hello?”
There was silence.
Then a man's voice came through the phone.
“You should have left her alone.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“Who are you?”
The man laughed softly.
“You know exactly who I am.”
Elena watched Adrian carefully.
“Why are you doing this?” Adrian asked.
“Because you made the same mistake your father made.”
Adrian's eyes darkened.
“What mistake?”
“Trusting a Carter.”
The call ended.
Adrian slowly lowered the phone.
Elena stared at him.
“What did he mean?”
Adrian didn't respond.
“Adrian.”
He looked at her.
“That man knows your family.”
“And he knows mine,” Elena said.
“Yes.”
“Who is he?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying again.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Elena, listen to me. Whatever happens, you must stay away from him.”
“How can I stay away from someone I don't even know?”
“You don't need to know him.”
“But I need to know the truth!”
Her voice broke.
“My father disappeared. My family almost lost our home. Someone is watching us. And now I'm finding out that your father had something to do with mine.”
Adrian said nothing.
Elena's eyes filled with tears.
“Did your father hurt mine?”
Adrian looked away.
That was enough.
Elena took a step back.
“You know something.”
“I know pieces of the truth.”
“Then tell me.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you, you will become an even bigger target.”
Elena wiped her tears.
“You don't get to decide that for me.”
Adrian walked toward her.
“Elena—”
“No.”
She raised her hand.
“You asked me to become your wife. You brought me into your family. You told me not to ask questions about your private life.”
Her voice trembled.
“But you never told me that my father's disappearance was connected to your family.”
“I wanted to protect you.”
“By lying to me?”
Adrian stopped.
For the first time, Elena saw something she had never seen before.
Regret.
Then a loud sound came from upstairs.
Crash!
Both of them froze.
Adrian immediately moved in front of Elena.
“What was that?” she whispered.
“Stay here.”
He walked toward the stairs.
“Adrian, wait.”
He turned.
“Don't move.”
Then he disappeared upstairs.
Elena stood alone in the living room.
Her heart was racing.
A few seconds passed.
Then she heard footsteps.
Slow footsteps.
Coming down the stairs.
Elena looked up.
Adrian appeared.
His face was pale.
“What happened?” she asked.
He didn't answer.
He was holding something in his hand.
A small black box.
Elena stared at it.
“What is that?”
Adrian looked at her.
“It belonged to your father.”
Elena's eyes widened.
“My father?”
Adrian nodded.
“He left it with my father twenty-five years ago.”
Elena couldn't breathe.
“What's inside?”
Adrian slowly opened the box.
Inside was an old photograph.
Elena took it.
She looked at the picture.
Her father was standing beside Adrian's father.
And between them stood the same mysterious man from the photograph Adrian had shown her earlier.
But that wasn't what shocked Elena.
On the back of the photograph were four words.
Protect Elena at all costs.
Elena looked at Adrian.
“Why did my father write my name?”
Adrian's eyes met hers.
“Because he knew this day would come.”
Elena's hands began to shake.
“What day?”
Adrian didn't answer.
Instead, he looked toward the dark window.
Someone was standing outside.
Watching them.
To be continued…
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