Eleven Years Later
Chapter 09 - Eleven Years Later
Adrian ran outside.
Rachel stood beneath the security lights.
For eleven years, he had imagined what he would say if he ever saw her again.
None of those words came.
She looked exhausted.
Older.
Terrified.
But alive.
"Eli?"
"Inside."
Rachel rushed past him.
The moment Eli saw her, he screamed.
"Mom!"
She fell to her knees and wrapped both arms around him.
Adrian turned away.
It was too private.
Too painful.
Minutes later, Rachel entered the kitchen.
Adrian stood across from her.
"You knew."
She nodded.
"You knew Eli was mine."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I tried."
"Once?"
"Dozens of times."
She pulled a bundle of letters from her bag.
Letters addressed to Adrian.
All returned.
"Your father blocked my calls. Victor's people intercepted mail."
Adrian closed his eyes.
Rachel continued.
"Then your father offered me money."
"I found the check."
"I never took it."
"I know."
"I left because Victor came to me."
Adrian looked up.
"What did he say?"
"That if I stayed, he'd destroy you."
"How?"
"He showed me evidence that could make it look like you were involved in financial crimes."
Adrian understood.
Even eleven years ago, Victor had already been preparing leverage.
"I was twenty-two," Rachel whispered. "Pregnant. Terrified."
"You could have trusted me."
"I know."
That answer hurt more than any excuse.
Rachel wiped her eyes.
"I thought leaving would protect you."
"And Eli?"
"I protected him the only way I knew how."
Adrian's voice became quieter.
"You let him grow up thinking he didn't have a father."
Rachel looked at him.
"And you grew up believing money could protect you from everything."
Neither spoke.
There was too much anger.
Too much regret.
Too many stolen years between them.
Then Rachel said something Adrian did not expect.
"Victor knows the flash drive is here."
"We'll turn it over to federal investigators tomorrow."
"You don't understand."
"What?"
Rachel stepped closer.
"The files aren't enough."
"Why?"
"Victor knew someone might eventually find them."
She swallowed.
"He has documents proving your father authorized everything."
"Forged?"
"Some."
"And the others?"
Rachel hesitated.
"Real."
Adrian stared at her.
"What are you saying?"
"Your father may not have started the scheme."
May you like
Her voice dropped.
"But for years, he helped hide it."
