Chapter five

THE BILLIONAIRE WHO NEVER MOVED ON

CHAPTER FIVE

The Truth That Set Them Free

“Victor?”

Amelia could barely say his name.

Adrian stared at her.

“Your husband is the doctor who signed the birth records?”

“I didn't know.”

“You didn't know?”

“I swear.”

Daniel stepped forward.

“Sir, there's more.”

Adrian looked at him.

“What?”

“Dr. Victor Hale didn't disappear.”

Amelia's face went pale.

“Where is he?”

Daniel looked at her.

“He became Victor Hale.”

She shook her head.

“No.”

“Yes.”

Daniel handed Adrian another document.

“His identity was changed shortly after the hospital fire.”

Adrian looked at the papers.

Then at Amelia.

“Your husband has been living under his real name all these years.”

Amelia covered her mouth.

“But why?”

Adrian's expression hardened.

“That's what we're going to find out.”

---

The front door suddenly opened.

Everyone turned.

Victor stood there.

His eyes moved from Amelia to Adrian.

Then to Daniel.

Finally, he noticed the documents on the table.

His expression changed.

“You shouldn't have looked into this.”

Adrian stepped forward.

“You lied to her.”

Victor laughed quietly.

“You think you know everything?”

“No.”

Adrian's voice was calm.

“But I know enough.”

Victor looked at Amelia.

“You weren't supposed to find out.”

“Find out what?”

She stood.

“What did you do to my children?”

Victor's eyes narrowed.

“Be careful, Amelia.”

“No!”

She stepped closer.

“You told me my son was dead.”

“I was protecting you.”

“You took him!”

“I saved him.”

“From what?”

Victor looked at Adrian.

“From you.”

Adrian's jaw tightened.

“Explain.”

“You were twenty-four. Reckless. Powerful, but surrounded by enemies.”

Victor pointed at Amelia.

“She was pregnant with twins, and you didn't even know.”

Adrian looked at Amelia.

“Is that true?”

She nodded.

“I found out after you left.”

Victor continued.

“Your enemies discovered the pregnancy.”

Adrian's expression changed.

“They threatened the children.”

“Yes.”

“And you decided to steal my son?”

“I decided to save his life.”

“You had no right.”

Victor laughed bitterly.

“Neither did they.”

Amelia stared at him.

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because they were watching you.”

“You could have told me!”

“And put you and the children in danger?”

She shook her head.

“You made me believe my baby was dead.”

“I had to.”

Victor looked at Daniel.

“If they knew he survived, they would have killed him.”

Adrian stepped closer.

“Who?”

Victor hesitated.

Then he whispered,

“Your father.”

Adrian froze.

“My father?”

“Your father knew about the children.”

“That's impossible.”

“He wanted Amelia gone.”

“Why?”

“Because she knew too much.”

Amelia frowned.

“I knew nothing.”

Victor looked at her.

“You knew his father was moving money through illegal accounts.”

Adrian's eyes widened.

“What?”

Victor nodded.

“Your father was using Blackwood International to hide money.”

Adrian shook his head.

“My father died five years ago.”

“He left people behind.”

Silence filled the room.

Adrian looked at Daniel.

“Can you verify this?”

Daniel nodded.

“Already did.”

Adrian turned back to Victor.

“Then why stay married to Amelia?”

Victor looked at her.

“Because I loved her.”

Amelia stared at him.

“You loved me?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you hurt me?”

“I thought keeping you alive was enough.”

Her eyes filled with tears.

“It wasn't.”

“I know.”

She stepped away from him.

“You stole seven years from me.”

Victor lowered his head.

“I know.”

“You stole them from Adrian too.”

“I know.”

“And you made me believe my son was dead.”

Victor looked at Daniel.

“I was wrong.”

Adrian moved beside Amelia.

For the first time, he didn't feel anger.

Only exhaustion.

“Where did you hide him?”

Victor pointed toward Daniel.

“I never hid him.”

Adrian frowned.

“What?”

“Your son was raised by people I trusted.”

“Who?”

Victor smiled sadly.

“His grandparents.”

Amelia's eyes widened.

“My parents?”

Victor nodded.

“They knew the truth.”

Amelia covered her mouth.

“Why didn't they tell me?”

“Because they were threatened too.”

Daniel suddenly spoke.

“Sir.”

Adrian turned.

“The DNA results.”

Adrian's heart stopped.

“Already?”

Daniel nodded.

He handed him the envelope.

Adrian looked at Amelia.

Neither of them spoke.

He opened it.

His eyes moved across the page.

Then he smiled.

A real smile.

The first one Amelia had seen from him in eight years.

“What does it say?”

Adrian looked at her.

“He's mine.”

Amelia burst into tears.

Adrian walked toward Daniel.

He crouched in front of the boy.

“Daniel.”

“Yes?”

“I need to tell you something.”

“What?”

Adrian smiled.

“I’m your father.”

Daniel stared at him.

“Really?”

“Really.”

The boy smiled.

Then threw his arms around Adrian.

Adrian closed his eyes and held him tightly.

Seven years.

Seven birthdays.

Seven years he could never get back.

But maybe he could finally have the years ahead.

---

Later that evening, Amelia stood outside.

Adrian joined her.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded.

“I think so.”

He stood beside her.

“I owe you an apology.”

She looked at him.

“For what?”

“For believing you stopped loving me.”

“You had every reason.”

“No.”

He shook his head.

“I should have fought harder.”

“I was scared.”

“So was I.”

She smiled sadly.

“I missed you.”

Adrian looked at her.

“I never stopped loving you.”

She lowered her eyes.

“I never stopped either.”

He reached for her hand.

This time, she didn't pull away.

“Can we start again?”

She looked at him.

“After everything?”

“Especially after everything.”

She smiled through her tears.

“What about my life?”

“We'll figure it out.”

“And Victor?”

“He's going to answer for what he did.”

“And us?”

Adrian squeezed her hand.

“Us?”

“Yes.”

He smiled.

“I've waited eight years for this question.”

She laughed softly.

“And?”

“I want you back.”

Amelia looked into his eyes.

“What if I'm not the same woman anymore?”

“I don't want the woman you were eight years ago.”

He moved closer.

“I want the woman standing in front of me now.”

She smiled.

“And if I say yes?”

“I'll spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret it.”

Amelia rested her head against his shoulder.

For the first time in eight years, she felt safe.

Then Adrian's phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

His smile disappeared.

“Who is it?” Amelia asked.

He answered.

“Hello?”

A man's voice came through.

“Congratulations, Adrian.”

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

“Who are you?”

“You found your son.”

“Who is this?”

A quiet laugh.

“But you still haven't found the person who ordered the hospital fire.”

Adrian stood straight.

“What do you want?”

The caller paused.

“Nothing.”

Then he said,

“I just wanted you to know…”

The line went dead.

Adrian stared at the phone.

Amelia's smile disappeared.

“What did he say?”

Adrian looked at her.

“He said the person who destroyed our lives is still alive.”

Amelia's heart sank.

“Who?”

Adrian looked toward the dark road.

“I don't know.”

Then his phone received one final message.

A photograph appeared on the screen.

It was a picture of Adrian, Amelia, and Daniel taken only minutes earlier.

Below it were five words:

You should never have found him.

Adrian slowly tightened his grip around Amelia's hand.

Their story had finally begun.

But someone, somewhere, was still watching.

And this time, they weren't planning to let them live happily ever after.