Chapter 1 - THREE MONTHS OF LIES
Vanessa stared at Adrian as if the man standing before her had risen from a grave.
“You can walk,” she repeated.
Adrian kept both feet planted on the marble. His left hand rested lightly on the back of the wheelchair, but he no longer needed it.
“For three months,” he said.
Emma stood beside the staircase, one hand pressed to her bruised knee. The shock on her face had changed into something more painful.
“You let me believe you couldn't stand.”
Adrian turned toward her. “Emma—”
“No. Don't explain it away.” Her voice shook. “I helped you dress. I lifted your blankets. I sat beside you when the pain kept you awake. I thought you were fighting to get your life back.”
“I was.”
“You were already walking.”
“I was learning to walk. I wasn't safe. I still had weakness, and I couldn't stand for long.”
“That isn't the same as telling me the truth.”
He had no answer.
Vanessa took a step backward. Her gaze moved from Adrian's legs to the wheelchair, then to the staircase where Emma had stopped it from plunging down.
“You're making a mistake,” she said. “You should sit down before you hurt yourself.”
Adrian looked at her.
“That's an interesting concern from someone who pushed my chair toward the stairs.”
“I didn't push you.”
“You were standing behind me.”
“I was trying to move you away from the guests.”
“You were trying to get rid of me.”
Vanessa's face tightened. “You have no idea what you're talking about.”
“Then tell me why you looked frightened when I stood.”
She glanced toward the front doors.
Adrian noticed.
“Daniel,” he called.
His security chief appeared from the corridor. He had heard the shouting and was already moving toward them.
“Sir?”
“Close the gates. No one leaves until we review the security footage. Have the staff remain in the house, but don't detain anyone. Call Detective Harris and tell him I need him here.”
Vanessa laughed nervously. “You're calling the police over an argument?”
“I'm calling the police because someone tried to send me down a staircase.”
“I would never hurt you.”
“Then you won't mind answering questions.”
Emma stepped away from them.
Adrian noticed her movement. “Please don't go.”
She looked at him. “You don't get to ask me to stay as if nothing happened.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe you were helpless.”
“I needed people to believe it.”
“People? Or me?”
The question landed harder than any accusation Vanessa had made.
Adrian lowered his eyes.
“At first, everyone. Then I realized someone was watching you. I was afraid that if I told you, you'd be in danger.”
Emma's expression hardened. “You decided I couldn't be trusted with the truth.”
“I decided I couldn't risk your life.”
“You don't get to make that decision for me.”
Before he could answer, Daniel's radio crackled.
“Sir, we have a problem. The east security camera has been disconnected. The recording system was accessed remotely twenty minutes ago.”
Adrian looked at Vanessa.
She had gone pale.
“Who has access to the system?” he asked.
“Me, you, and the technology director,” Daniel replied. “But the remote login came through an executive account.”
“Whose?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Ethan Blackwood.”
Adrian's face changed.
His half-brother had been overseas when the accident happened. He had returned six weeks ago, claiming he wanted to help stabilize the company.
Vanessa whispered, “Adrian, don't.”
He turned to her.
“Why shouldn't I?”
She said nothing.
Daniel's radio crackled again.
“Sir, there's another thing. The rear garage door is open. One of the vehicles is missing.”
Adrian looked toward the dark windows.
“Which vehicle?”
“Your old black sedan. The one from the night of the crash.”
For the first time since he stood, Adrian felt the floor shift beneath him.
That car had been kept under a cover in a locked garage.
No one was supposed to touch it.
He looked at Emma.
“Stay with Daniel.”
“No,” she said. “I'm not staying in a room while everyone else decides what I can know.”
Adrian almost smiled, despite everything.
“Then stay beside me.”
Together, they walked toward the garage.
Behind them, Vanessa's voice followed.
“You have no idea what you're waking up.”
May you like
Adrian didn't turn around.
“That's what I'm about to find out.”
