The Price of Her Heart

Chapter five

Adrian’s POV.

It was a very stormy day, and raindrops poured heavily from the sky.

Huge droplets of water hit my glass windows fiercely, and flashes of lightning split the sky amidst the dark and cloudy morning.

My whole life revolved around finding my parents’ killers and avenging their deaths. Unfortunately, I have not made any significant progress in this secret mission of mine because every lead, every name and every information I found led to nothing tangible. Yet, I was determined, because my gut told me there was more and that their deaths weren’t just an unfortunate tragedy, but a strategic move on a board that I didn’t even know existed.

Once again, only one name surfaced in my mind.

Alexander Stone.

My father’s closest friend and ally. The man who stood by me at the funeral. The man who promised me that he would always be there for me, no matter what happened.

My hands balled into tight fists. The murder was too clean and flawless as the perpetrators had made sure to wipe out every trace that could lead back to them.

I sat upright in front of my desk and focused my gaze on my laptop’s screen. I was looking at some of the files my private investigator had sent me concerning the murder case. There were encrypted files and bank transactions to various accounts. These files raised my suspicion, but suspicion was not enough; I needed clear evidence, especially when it comes to taking down a man as deceptive as Alexander.

I drank my coffee in one gulp, letting the bitterness envelop me while I stared at the screen with so much intensity, hoping to find even a tiny loophole somewhere so I could finally bring out the truth. But in a split second, my mind drifted to Christine. Her soft laughter rang loudly in my head. She was the only warmth in my icy heart.

If only she knew that her father was the reason for all the pain and darkness in my heart.

I couldn’t escape the irony, could I?

The one person I loved was the daughter of the person I suspected was my parents’ killer.

I stood up from my chair and walked to the window. I stared into the city with a blank expression as I wondered if I should tell Christine the truth or if I should just remain quiet. Telling her the truth would break her, keeping quiet would protect her from this messy situation, so I’m just going to keep quiet for now, at least until I find tangible evidence.

Somewhere in the city…

Alexander Stone was in his study. He sat on the leather chair in front of his computer. His marble table was arranged perfectly, and nothing was in disarray.

He, however, looked restless. His grey hair was ruffled, and his tie was loose on his neck. He peered at his computer through his square-shaped glasses. He was going through his emails when he stumbled on one that made his heart stop.

“Your boy is getting closer."

His facial expression soon changed to something cynical. His lips curving into an evil smirk.

Adrian thought he was smart. He thought Alexander didn’t know about his secret meetings and midnight calls. Alexander was always ten steps ahead of people, and Adrian didn’t know that he had been watching him.

He switched off his computer, hitting his fingers on the marble desk slowly. “Be patient, Alex,” he mumbled. “Let him search. After all, it is always more thrilling when the prey runs into the trap willingly.”

He downed the remaining whiskey in his glass and walked out of the study with a maniacal smile.

Back in Adrian’s office…

I heard my phone ding. It was a message from Christine.

“Are you okay? Just thought to check up on you.”

My lips pulled up in a small smile. She always sensed when I was not okay, when darkness engulfed me.

But what could I say to her? That I was hunting her father like a predator? That I kissed her while thinking about all the lies that might destroy her?

“I’m fine. Just a little busy.” I responded after a few minutes.

I kept my phone on the desk, angry at myself. She deserved better than the coldness and distance I was giving her. But I could not see myself bringing her into this messy situation.

Hours passed, and I could still hear the pitty patter of the rain outside. I closed my windows and buried myself in papers and reports concerning the new contract I had signed with an oil company. The figures weren’t adding up, and I tried to figure it out.

By evening, I was finally done with the reports, and I decided to take a break. I had a banging headache, and my eyes ached from too much screen time. I stepped onto the balcony of my office, letting the cool breeze calm my nerves.

“What are you planning, Alexander Stone?” I murmured into the rain.

The only answer I got was a thunder strike.

But I knew I was getting nearer, and I wasn’t going to back down.

I went inside to pack my things so I could head home when I heard my phone ding again.

It was Christine.

I opened her message, and what I saw made my heart stop.

It was a screenshot of a message she had received from a blocked number.

“Do you really know who Adrian Holmes is?” The message read.

I felt sweat trickling down my spine.

Someone knows…

And worse, someone wants her to know.

The screenshot was embedded in my mind.

I stared at it until the words became blurry. My heart was drumming in my ears. Someone wanted to turn Christine against me and that person knew she was my weak point.

Without thinking, I quickly grabbed my phone, ready to call her, assure her and tell her not to believe. But before I could dial her number, another notification popped up.

It was another message, from an unknown number.

The message was short, cruel, and cold.

“Like father, like son. You will join him soon.”

A chill ran down my spine, my blood turning cold, and for the first time in years, I was terrified.

The person who killed my parents… wasn’t just after the past.

They were coming for me.