Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Nia couldn't stop staring at the photograph.
“The baby belongs to us.”
The words were printed in black ink.
No signature.
No explanation.
Adrian took the phone from her.
His expression was unreadable.
“Marcus, lock down the hospital.”
“I already have people there.”
“Double them.”
Nia grabbed his arm.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“You can't turn my pregnancy into a prison.”
“Someone threatened our child.”
“And your solution is to put guards around me?”
“My solution is to keep you alive.”
She pulled away.
“You don't get to decide everything anymore.”
Adrian stared at her.
The old argument returned.
Control.
Secrets.
Fear.
But this time neither raised their voice.
Marcus quietly left the room.
Adrian looked at Nia.
“I need you to trust me.”
She gave him a tired smile.
“I trusted you when I shouldn't have.”
That hurt him.
She could see it.
But she didn't apologize.
They returned to St. Catherine's together.
Erin was awake.
When she saw Nia, her face changed.
“You came.”
Nia stopped beside the bed.
“You know who I am.”
Erin nodded.
“I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
“For all of it.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Erin.”
She looked at him.
“You should tell her.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“Not here.”
“Then where?”
Nia stared between them.
“You've been keeping something from me.”
Erin's eyes filled with tears.
“I never wanted this.”
“What is it?”
Erin looked at Adrian.
Then at Nia's stomach.
“Your husband isn't the father of my baby.”
Nia already knew that.
“Then why does everyone keep acting like my pregnancy is connected to yours?”
Erin's lips trembled.
“Because your husband isn't the man they're after.”
Nia froze.
“Who are they after?”
“Your baby.”
The room seemed to shrink.
Adrian immediately moved toward the door.
Erin caught his sleeve.
“Don't.”
He looked back.
“They'll know we're talking.”
“Who?”
Erin whispered a name.
“Richard.”
Nia looked at Adrian.
“Your uncle.”
Erin nodded.
“Richard Cole never died.”
Adrian's face hardened.
“I know.”
“He's been using your father's old contacts.”
“To do what?”
“Rebuild everything.”
Erin reached beneath her pillow and pulled out a small silver bracelet.
Nia recognized it.
It had belonged to Adrian.
He had worn it during the first year of their marriage.
“What is that?”
Erin looked at him.
“Your father gave it to my father.”
Adrian stared at the bracelet.
He took it slowly.
Inside was a tiny engraving.
C-17.
The same code from the brass key.
Nia felt another piece fall into place.
“What is C-17?”
Erin answered.
“An account.”
“Bank account?”
“No.”
She swallowed.
“A storage ledger.”
Adrian looked confused.
Erin continued.
“Your father kept records of everyone who worked for him. Payments. Favors. Names. Threats.”
“Where?”
“Storage Unit C-17.”
Nia looked at Adrian.
“The key.”
He nodded.
Erin's voice became softer.
“My father found it before he disappeared.”
“What happened to him?”
“He tried to expose them.”
“And they killed him?”
Erin shook her head.
“No.”
That answer surprised everyone.
“He escaped.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Where is he?”
Erin looked toward the window.
“I don't know.”
“Erin.”
“He disappeared because Richard threatened his family.”
Nia stared at the young woman.
“You've been protecting your father.”
“Yes.”
“Even now?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because if Richard finds him, he'll die.”
The door opened.
A nurse entered.
“Mr. Cole, there is someone asking for you downstairs.”
“Who?”
“She says she's from your family.”
Adrian frowned.
“Name?”
“Victoria Lane.”
Nia's chest tightened.
Victoria entered five minutes later.
Her elegant coat was soaked from the rain.
Her face looked exhausted.
She looked at Nia.
“I didn't know you were here.”
Nia's voice was cold.
“You knew about Erin.”
Victoria didn't deny it.
“Yes.”
Adrian turned toward her.
“How long?”
“Six months.”
Nia felt betrayed all over again.
“You knew she was pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“And you said nothing?”
Victoria looked at Adrian.
“I tried.”
“Why didn't you tell me?” Nia asked.
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
“Because your husband asked me not to.”
Nia looked at Adrian.
He didn't defend himself.
Victoria continued.
“I thought he was protecting you.”
“You thought?”
“I was wrong.”
Nia's anger softened for one second.
Then Victoria reached into her handbag.
She pulled out a folded piece of paper.
“I found this in Adrian's father's old office.”
She handed it to Nia.
It was a list of names.
Most were crossed out.
One remained.
NIA BROOKS.
Beside her name was a date.
The date of Nia's first miscarriage.
Nia stopped breathing.
Adrian took the paper.
His face became white.
“What is this?”
Victoria shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Nia stared at the date.
Someone had been tracking her before she even knew Adrian's darkest secrets.
Then she noticed something else.
At the bottom of the page was a handwritten note.
Second pregnancy — prevent at all costs.
Nia's hand moved instinctively to her stomach.
Adrian looked at her.
“This wasn't me.”
She believed him.
And that frightened her more than anything.
Because if Adrian hadn't ordered it, someone else had.
Someone who had been watching their marriage for years.
May you like
Victoria whispered,
“I think your first two pregnancies weren't accidents.”
