Chapter 1 - The Confession
Adrian’s whisper echoed through the silent breakfast room.
Every guard remained frozen like statues carved from ice.
My mouth went completely dry as I stared at the dangerous man standing over my daughter.
"She is three," I lied, my voice shaking.
Adrian tilted his head slowly.
His dark eyes, so painfully similar to his dead brother’s, analyzed my face.
"Three," he repeated, the word rolling off his tongue with heavy suspicion.
Nora looked up at him with innocent, wide eyes.
"I am almost four!" she announced proudly.
My heart plummeted into my stomach.
Adrian’s jaw tightened as he did the math in his head.
Four years ago was exactly when James had been alive and deeply involved with a waitress he swore he would marry.
Me.
"Mrs. Holloway," Adrian said without looking away from me.
The older housekeeper stepped forward instantly.
"Take Nora to the kitchen and give her whatever she wants," he ordered.
"No," I stepped forward, reaching for my daughter.
Two massive guards immediately blocked my path.
Adrian stood up to his full, terrifying height.
He grabbed my arm, his grip like a steel vise.
"You and I are going to my office," he said softly.
He dragged me down the long, luxurious hallway.
The heavy mahogany doors slammed shut behind us, trapping me inside his inner sanctum.
He threw James’s silver pocket watch onto his glass desk.
The metal clattered loudly against the surface.
"My brother died thinking he was alone in this world," Adrian growled.
"He didn't know," I cried out, tears finally spilling over.
"I found out I was pregnant the week after his funeral!"
Adrian breathed heavily, staring at the little girl’s face hidden in my features.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Dr. Evans, I need a paternity DNA test rushed immediately," Adrian commanded.
There was a pause as he listened to the doctor on the other end.
May you like
Adrian’s face suddenly drained of all color.
"What do you mean someone else already requested my brother's DNA yesterday?" Adrian asked, his voice deadly cold.
