Chapter 4
887 Words
She rose from her seat and walked away, leaving him behind. Adrian did not move. He made no attempt to stop her.
“Fine.”
Elena stopped and looked back at him. “Fine?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going to try to convince me?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you haven’t seen the worst part yet.”
A wave of unease ran down Elena’s spine. “What does that mean?”
Adrian stood. He walked to the table, picked up a photograph from among the documents, and placed it in front of Elena. “This is why I came tonight.”
Elena picked up the photograph. Its colors had faded slightly with age. It showed what appeared to be a private party. Several people stood behind a long table. Elena recognized her father and mother among them. But there was another man she did not recognize. She turned the photograph over. There was a date written on the back. Exactly eighteen years ago.
“What is this?”
“The night everything began.”
Elena looked at the photograph again. Something about it felt strange. At the edge of the picture, almost hidden in the shadows, stood a young boy. His face was impossible to make out clearly, but there was something about his posture that made Elena feel as though she had seen him before.
“Who is that boy?”
Adrian did not answer.
He seemed almost intent on letting her curiosity grow.
“You know who he is.”
“I know a lot of things, Elena.”
“Does that include who he is?”
“Of course.”
“And you’re showing him to me on purpose?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Adrian looked down at the photograph in her hand. “Because you’ve seen him before.”
“I’ve never seen this photograph.”
“I didn’t say you’d seen the photograph.”
Adrian stepped closer. “I said you’ve seen the boy.”
A sharp pulse began throbbing in Elena’s head. Fragments of memories that had always felt more like dreams suddenly surfaced. A hallway and flickering lights. Someone screaming. Her small hand clutching something tightly. Then her mother’s voice telling her not to leave the room. Elena closed her eyes.
“Stop! I don’t remember.”
“I know.”
“Then stop talking as if I should know what you’re talking about.”
“I know.”
Elena opened her eyes. “Stop saying you know.”
Adrian watched her for several seconds.Then he spoke quietly. “That’s the problem, Elena. I know something about your life that you don’t even remember.”
Silence filled the room again. Elena placed the photograph down.
“Who is behind all of this?”
“I’m trying to find out.”
“And you think I can help you?”
“I’m certain you can.”
“Because I saw something when I was a child?”
“Because you’re the only person still alive who might remember.”
Elena stared at Adrian, her unease becoming harder and harder to explain. “Then you didn’t come here to save my family.”
Adrian did not answer. He only gave a slow shake of his head.
“You came because of me.”
“Yes.”
“And you already knew about me before tonight.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
Adrian remained silent, and the silence only made Elena more frustrated. “How long, Adrian?”
He finally answered. “Longer than I should have.”
“Then forget this marriage.”
“Elena.”
She stopped, but did not turn around. Her hands curled into fists as she fought to contain her anger.
“Don’t go home alone tonight.”
Elena let out a short laugh. “You just said you weren’t going to force me.”
“I’m not forcing you.”
“Then don’t give me advice.”
“I’m not giving you advice.”
Elena turned around.Adrian stood a few steps behind her. His expression had changed. He no longer looked like a man negotiating a business deal.
“This is a warning.”
Elena stared at him. “For what?”
Adrian glanced toward the window. Outside, the gates of the Virelli estate were still visible from the room. One of the black vehicles that had been parked there earlier was gone.
“Because someone just found out you’re here with me.”
A chill ran down Elena’s neck. “Who?”
Adrian looked back at her. “That’s what I’m trying to find out.”
Before Elena could ask another question, a loud noise came from outside the house. Once. Then again. Like something heavy had slammed into the gate. Elena instinctively turned toward the window. Adrian moved immediately. Within seconds, he was in front of her, pulling her away from the glass.
“Don’t stand there.”
“What’s happening?”
“Get down.”
“I’m not going to...”
The sound of shattering glass came from the upper floor. Adrian quickly grabbed her hand.
“We’ll talk later.”
This time, Elena did not argue. Because from outside the house came the sound of someone screaming. And then came the gunshot.
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