Chapter 7 - THE SILENT COMPLICITY
Adrian gripped the phone so hard his knuckles turned white.
“What does that mean?” he demanded.
Arthur sighed—a long, ragged sound. “Can we meet? Not over the phone. There are things I should have told you months ago. Things Grace asked me to keep… until it was too late.”
“Where are you?”
“My office. I’m not going anywhere. Just… come alone, Adrian. Please.”
The call ended. Adrian stood motionless, staring at the screen. Clara watched him, her expression grave.
“He admitted it?” she asked quietly.
“Not exactly. But he’s hiding something.” Adrian turned to her. “Clara, stay here. Lock all doors. Keep the girls upstairs. If anyone comes—anyone at all—don’t let them in. Call me immediately.”
Clara nodded. “Be careful, Mr. Adrian. Arthur has been family for a long time. But people change.”
May you like
Adrian drove to Arthur’s office in silence. Rain fell again, turning the streets dark and gray. He parked and walked into the building, his mind racing through every memory of Arthur over the years. The wedding. The birthdays. The days Grace lay dying when Arthur had sat beside him and held his hand.
All of it… a lie
