Chapter four

THE BILLIONAIRE WHO NEVER MOVED ON

CHAPTER FOUR

The Boy Who Looked Like Him

Adrian stared at the boy.

The boy stared back.

Neither of them spoke.

Amelia looked between them, terrified.

“Adrian…”

“Who is he?”

Her lips trembled.

“Please, just listen to me.”

“Who is he, Amelia?”

The boy stepped farther into the doorway.

“Mummy?”

Amelia quickly wiped her tears.

“Go back inside, sweetheart.”

The boy frowned.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m fine.”

He looked at Adrian again.

“Who is that man?”

Adrian couldn't take his eyes off him.

The boy had his eyes.

The same dark eyes.

The same little frown.

Even the shape of his mouth looked familiar.

Adrian whispered,

“What’s his name?”

Amelia hesitated.

“Daniel.”

The boy smiled shyly.

“I'm Daniel.”

Adrian's heart began pounding.

“How old are you?”

“Seven.”

Adrian looked at Amelia.

“Seven?”

She nodded.

“His birthday?”

“October 14.”

Adrian went completely still.

October 14.

He remembered that date.

Eight years ago, he and Amelia had spent that entire weekend together.

He looked at her.

“Amelia…”

“I know what you're thinking.”

“Is he my son?”

She closed her eyes.

“I don't know.”

Adrian stared at her.

“You don't know?”

“I was told he died.”

His expression changed.

“What?”

“The doctors told me the baby didn't survive.”

“Then who is he?”

“I don't know.”

“You just said his name is Daniel.”

“Because that's what they called him.”

“Who?”

Amelia looked toward the house.

“The people who took him.”

Adrian's face hardened.

“Someone took my son?”

“I didn't know he was yours.”

“You knew there were twins?”

“I knew I gave birth to two babies.”

“Then why didn't you tell me?”

“Because I was unconscious when they took him.”

Adrian ran a hand through his hair.

“This doesn't make sense.”

“I know.”

“Who told you he died?”

“The doctor.”

“What doctor?”

“I don't remember.”

“You don't remember?”

Amelia shook her head.

“I was drugged. I woke up days later.”

Adrian stared at her.

“Where was Emma?”

“With me.”

“And Daniel?”

“Gone.”

He looked at the boy again.

Daniel was now playing with a small toy car.

Adrian slowly crouched in front of him.

“Daniel.”

The boy looked up.

“Yes?”

“Do you know your father's name?”

Daniel shook his head.

“Mummy doesn't talk about him.”

Adrian's heart broke.

“Does she talk about me?”

Daniel looked confused.

“Why would she?”

Adrian smiled sadly.

“Never mind.”

Daniel looked at him carefully.

“You look like me.”

Amelia gasped.

Adrian almost laughed despite himself.

“Yes.”

Daniel tilted his head.

“Are you my daddy?”

Silence.

Amelia covered her mouth.

Adrian looked at her.

Then at the boy.

“I don't know.”

Daniel smiled.

“I think you are.”

“Why?”

“Because you have my eyes.”

Adrian's throat tightened.

“Who told you that?”

“Nobody.”

Daniel shrugged.

“I can see.”

Amelia started crying again.

Adrian stood.

“We need a DNA test.”

“No.”

He stared at her.

“Why?”

“Because if he's really your son…”

“What?”

“Then they'll come back.”

“Who?”

“I don't know.”

“Amelia, I'm done accepting 'I don't know.'”

“I’m scared.”

“So am I.”

She looked at him.

“You?”

“Yes.”

He pointed toward Daniel.

“Because I've spent eight years believing I lost you.”

His voice broke.

“And now I'm standing here looking at a child who might be mine.”

Amelia looked down.

“I’m sorry.”

“Sorry doesn't give me back seven years.”

“I know.”

“I missed his first word.”

“I know.”

“His first step.”

“I know.”

“His first birthday.”

Amelia began crying.

“Please stop.”

“I can't.”

He looked at Daniel.

“I can't pretend this doesn't hurt.”

Daniel suddenly reached for Adrian's hand.

“Don't be sad.”

Adrian looked down.

“I'm okay.”

“Are you sure?”

Adrian nodded.

“I'm sure.”

Daniel smiled.

“Good.”

Then he pulled Adrian closer and whispered,

“Mummy says my real daddy is dead.”

Adrian froze.

He slowly looked at Amelia.

“What?”

She looked terrified.

“Daniel…”

“But he isn't, right?”

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

“What did you just say?”

Daniel pointed at Amelia.

“She told me Daddy died before I was born.”

Adrian stared at Amelia.

“You told him I was dead?”

“I had to.”

“Why?”

“Because I didn't know where you were.”

“I was looking for you!”

“I know!”

“Then why didn't you tell him about me?”

“Because I thought you were dead!”

The room went silent.

Adrian stepped closer.

“Amelia, look at me.”

She did.

“Did you really believe I was dead?”

“Yes.”

“Who told you?”

She shook her head.

“I received a call.”

“When?”

“The night after I left you.”

“What did they say?”

“That you had been attacked.”

Adrian's expression darkened.

“Who called?”

“I don't know.”

“Male or female?”

“Male.”

“Did he give you a name?”

“No.”

“Did he tell you where I was?”

“He said you were in the hospital.”

“I was.”

Amelia looked confused.

“What?”

“I was attacked.”

Her face went pale.

“You were?”

“Yes.”

“Then…”

She took a step backward.

“That means…”

Adrian finished the thought.

“Someone told you the truth about the attack.”

“But they said you died.”

“I didn't.”

Amelia covered her mouth.

“Then someone wanted me to believe you were dead.”

Adrian nodded.

“And someone wanted me to believe my son was dead.”

They stared at each other.

For the first time, neither of them blamed the other.

They were beginning to understand.

Someone had deliberately torn them apart.

Adrian reached for his phone.

“Daniel.”

His assistant answered immediately.

“Sir?”

“I need you here.”

“Right now?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?”

Adrian looked at the boy.

“Bring a doctor.”

There was a pause.

“Is someone hurt?”

“No.”

Adrian's eyes remained on Daniel.

“I found my son.”

---

An hour later, Daniel stood in Amelia's living room.

He looked at the boy.

Then at Adrian.

“Are you sure?”

Adrian nodded.

“No.”

Daniel blinked.

“But he looks exactly like you.”

“That's why I need the test.”

Amelia sat quietly on the sofa.

Daniel walked over to her.

“Mrs. Carter, I need to ask you something.”

“What?”

“Where did you give birth?”

Amelia frowned.

“St. Mary's.”

Daniel's expression changed.

“That's impossible.”

“Why?”

“St. Mary's maternity records were destroyed seven years ago.”

Amelia stared at him.

“What?”

“According to the hospital, there was a fire.”

Adrian stood.

“A fire?”

Daniel nodded.

“And there's something else.”

“What?”

Daniel placed a document on the table.

“The doctor who signed your birth records disappeared the same week.”

Amelia's hands began shaking.

“What's his name?”

Daniel looked at Adrian.

“Dr. Victor Hale.”

Silence.

Amelia's face turned white.

“Victor…”

Adrian looked at her.

“Your husband?”

She nodded slowly.

And suddenly, the truth felt much more dangerous than either of them had imagined.