The Woman Adrian Never Forgot
Chapter 02 - The Woman Adrian Never Forgot
Adrian canceled every meeting that afternoon.
Within minutes, the exclusive terrace emptied around him while his security chief, Marcus Reed, stood several feet away.
Eli sat across from Adrian, attacking a plate of food like someone who had not eaten properly in days.
Adrian pretended not to notice how quickly the boy swallowed each bite.
"Slow down," he said gently. "There's more."
Eli stopped eating.
"You're not going to make me pay?"
The question hit Adrian harder than he expected.
"No."
Eli nodded and continued.
Adrian unfolded the paper.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Rachel's.
Eli, if anything ever happens to me, there is one man who may be able to help.
Below that was Adrian's name.
Nothing else.
No explanation.
Adrian looked up.
"When did you last see your mother?"
"Tuesday night."
"Where?"
"At home."
"Where is home?"
Eli hesitated.
"A motel."
Adrian's stomach tightened.
Rachel Bennett had once been the brightest person he knew.
She had wanted to become a teacher.
She had talked about owning a small house with yellow shutters and planting tomatoes in the backyard.
A motel did not belong anywhere in the future she had described.
"What happened Tuesday?"
Eli looked toward the ocean.
"Mom was scared."
"Of what?"
"She wouldn't tell me."
"Did someone come to the motel?"
The boy nodded.
"A man."
Marcus stepped closer.
"Did you see him?"
"Not his face."
Eli gripped his fork.
"He knocked on our door. Mom told me to hide in the bathroom."
"What did you hear?"
"They argued."
"About what?"
Eli looked at Adrian.
"About you."
Adrian felt the blood drain from his face.
"What exactly did they say?"
"The man said Mom should've stayed quiet."
Adrian leaned forward.
"And your mother?"
"She said she wasn't going to let them destroy another life."
Marcus and Adrian exchanged a glance.
"What happened next?"
"The man left."
"And your mom?"
"She packed a bag."
Eli's voice began shaking.
"She kissed me. She said she had to fix something."
"Did she say where she was going?"
"No."
Eli wiped his eyes angrily.
"She promised she'd come back."
But she hadn't.
Adrian stared at Rachel's note.
Twenty years ago, Rachel had disappeared without saying goodbye.
Now she had disappeared again.
Only this time, she had left behind a child carrying Adrian's teddy bear.
Marcus quietly spoke.
"Adrian, we need to find out who the boy's father is."
Eli looked up.
May you like
Adrian felt something tighten inside him.
Because he was beginning to wonder the same thing.
