Chapter 3 — The Man Who Knew Her Secret

“Lucas Bennett.”

Elena stared at the photograph in the security officer's hand.

“No,” she whispered.

The officer nodded.

“We found Mr. Bennett near the east gate. He was trying to leave the property.”

Elena's heart slammed against her ribs.

Lucas.

Her childhood friend.

The one person she had trusted after her father's death.

The one person who had looked her in the eyes and promised that he would never abandon her.

She turned toward Adrian.

“You knew.”

Adrian's expression was hard.

“I suspected.”

“You suspected Lucas stole your file?”

“I suspected someone close to you did.”

“Then why didn't you tell me?”

“Because I didn't have proof.”

Elena snatched the photograph from the officer.

“Where is Lucas?”

“Security has him downstairs.”

She didn't wait.

She rushed toward the hallway.

“I'm coming with you,” Adrian said.

“No.”

Elena spun around.

“This is my problem.”

“It became my problem when you married me.”

“I don't need you to protect me every second.”

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

“You don't understand what you're dealing with.”

“Then explain it.”

He walked toward her.

“I will.”

“When?”

“When I know the whole truth.”

Elena laughed bitterly.

“That seems to be your favorite answer.”

She turned away.

Adrian caught her wrist.

Not hard.

Just enough to stop her.

“Elena.”

She looked down at his hand.

Then at him.

“Let go.”

He did.

Immediately.

For a second, neither spoke.

Then Elena said quietly, “If Lucas did this, I want to hear him admit it himself.”

Adrian nodded.

“Fine.”

They walked downstairs together.

---

Lucas was sitting in a small security room.

His white shirt was wrinkled, and his normally neat hair was disordered.

The moment he saw Elena, he stood.

“Elena.”

She stopped at the doorway.

Lucas's eyes moved to the ring on her finger.

His face fell.

“You married him?”

Elena's voice was cold.

“Did you steal Adrian's file?”

Lucas looked at Adrian.

Then back at her.

“No.”

The answer came too quickly.

Adrian leaned against the wall.

“Then why were you leaving through my east gate?”

Lucas's jaw tightened.

“I came here to warn Elena.”

“About what?”

“You.”

Adrian's expression didn't change.

Lucas looked at Elena.

“You can't trust him.”

Elena folded her arms.

“Everyone keeps saying that.”

“Because it's true.”

“Then tell me why.”

Lucas took a breath.

“Because Adrian has been investigating your father for years.”

Elena froze.

She turned toward Adrian.

He said nothing.

Lucas continued.

“He knew your father before the scandal. He knew about the investigation. He knew what happened to the company.”

Elena looked at Adrian.

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

The simple answer hurt more than a lie would have.

“How long?”

Adrian's eyes remained on hers.

“Years.”

Lucas stepped closer.

“He didn't marry you because of some inheritance condition.”

Adrian's gaze sharpened.

“Be careful, Lucas.”

“You're using her.”

Elena raised her hand.

“Enough.”

Both men fell silent.

She looked at Lucas.

“Why were you here?”

Lucas hesitated.

“I found something.”

“What?”

“A document.”

“Where is it?”

Lucas looked at Adrian.

“I don't have it anymore.”

Elena's patience snapped.

“Lucas!”

“I was trying to get it to you.”

“Then why did you run?”

“Because someone followed me.”

“Who?”

“I don't know.”

Adrian pushed away from the wall.

“That's convenient.”

Lucas glared at him.

“You think I stole your file?”

“You had access.”

“I didn't steal anything.”

“Then explain why your fingerprints were found on the envelope.”

Lucas went quiet.

Elena stared at him.

“Your fingerprints?”

Lucas looked at her.

“I touched the envelope.”

“Why?”

“Because I was trying to open it.”

Adrian's voice was cold.

“To steal the information.”

“No. To find out why Adrian has been watching your family.”

Elena's stomach twisted.

She looked at the photograph again.

Her father.

Adrian.

And herself as a child.

“Lucas,” she said slowly, “where did you get this?”

His face changed.

“You found it?”

“Yes.”

He swallowed.

“I've seen it before.”

“When?”

“Years ago.”

“Where?”

Lucas looked away.

“My father's study.”

Silence filled the room.

Elena's eyes widened.

“Your father had this?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I don't know.”

“You're lying.”

“I'm not.”

“You've known about this photograph all this time?”

“No.”

“Then how did you recognize it?”

Lucas's voice became quieter.

“Because I remember that day.”

Elena's breath caught.

“What day?”

Lucas looked at her.

“The day it was taken.”

---

Elena walked out of the security room.

She needed air.

The corridor seemed too narrow.

Too warm.

Too full of things she didn't understand.

Adrian followed.

“Stop following me.”

He stopped.

Elena turned around.

“You knew me when I was a child.”

“Yes.”

“You knew my father.”

“Yes.”

“You knew my family.”

“Yes.”

“And you never told me.”

“I didn't have the chance.”

“You had a chance yesterday.”

“I needed you to sign the contract.”

Her eyes flashed.

“So that was the plan?”

“No.”

“You needed a wife. You needed my family's connection. You needed access to me.”

“I needed to protect you.”

“From what?”

Adrian didn't answer.

Elena stepped closer.

“From what, Adrian?”

His jaw tightened.

“People who have been watching you.”

“Since when?”

“Since your father died.”

She stared at him.

“Why?”

“Because they believed your father left something behind.”

“What?”

“I don't know.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because if I knew, I would already have found it.”

Elena looked at him for a long moment.

“Then why did you marry me?”

Adrian's voice softened.

“Because they were getting closer.”

Her anger faltered.

“Who?”

“I don't know all of them.”

“Then what do you know?”

He stepped toward her.

“I know someone tried to access your father's old accounts three months ago.”

Elena's eyes widened.

“I know someone followed you home twice last month.”

Her heart began beating faster.

“I know the person who rented the apartment across from yours used a false identity.”

She took a step back.

“How did you know that?”

“I was watching.”

“You were watching me?”

“Yes.”

“You had no right.”

“I know.”

The honesty disarmed her.

Adrian's expression was unreadable.

“But if I hadn't been watching you, you wouldn't be standing here.”

Elena looked away.

She hated that part of her believed him.

She hated even more that she felt safer when he was near.

---

That evening, Elena found Lucas waiting outside the estate.

She stepped onto the front terrace.

Adrian was nowhere in sight.

“Why are you here?”

Lucas looked exhausted.

“I need to tell you something.”

“I've heard enough secrets for one day.”

“This one is about your father.”

Elena stopped.

Lucas pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket.

“I found this in my father's old study.”

She took it.

“What is it?”

“An account number.”

She frowned.

“Whose?”

“Your father's.”

Elena's heart jumped.

“My father's accounts were frozen.”

“Most of them.”

“What do you mean?”

“There was one account that nobody knew about.”

“Where?”

“Switzerland.”

Elena stared at him.

“Does it still exist?”

Lucas nodded.

“Yes.”

“What's in it?”

“I don't know.”

“Then why didn't you tell me before?”

Lucas hesitated.

“Because I was afraid.”

“Of what?”

“That Adrian would find out.”

Elena looked toward the house.

“Why are you afraid of him?”

Lucas lowered his voice.

“Because your father was afraid of his family.”

A cold shiver ran through her.

“What did my father say?”

Lucas looked directly at her.

“He said the Blackwoods were responsible for his downfall.”

Elena's fingers tightened around the paper.

“Are you sure?”

“I heard him arguing with someone the night before he disappeared.”

“Who?”

Lucas swallowed.

“I couldn't see the person's face.”

“What did you hear?”

Lucas looked toward the dark garden.

“Your father said, ‘If you destroy my company, I'll expose everything.’”

Elena's breath caught.

“What happened after that?”

“I heard a crash.”

“And?”

“Then your father told me to run.”

Elena stared at him.

“You were there?”

Lucas nodded.

“I was twelve.”

She looked at him differently.

“You saw my father that night?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“Because my father made me promise.”

“Your father?”

Lucas looked down.

“He told me that if I ever told anyone what I saw, our family would be destroyed.”

Elena felt sick.

“And you kept that promise for all these years?”

“I was a child.”

“You're not a child anymore.”

“I know.”

She turned away.

“Give me the account number.”

Lucas handed it to her.

“Don't tell Adrian.”

Elena looked at him.

“Why?”

“Because I don't know what he'll do if he finds out.”

A voice came from behind them.

“You should be more worried about what I'll do if you keep lying to my wife.”

Lucas went pale.

Elena turned.

Adrian stood in the doorway.

His expression was ice-cold.

“How long have you been there?” Lucas asked.

“Long enough.”

Lucas stepped forward.

“Adrian—”

“Leave.”

Lucas looked at Elena.

“Think about what I told you.”

Then he walked away.

Elena watched him disappear through the gates.

Adrian came toward her.

“What did he give you?”

“Nothing.”

“Don't lie to me.”

“Then don't treat me like a prisoner.”

His gaze dropped to her hand.

“Give me the paper.”

“No.”

“Elena.”

“No.”

She turned to leave.

Adrian caught sight of the folded paper in her hand.

Before she could move, he reached for it.

She pulled it away.

“Don't.”

He stopped.

His eyes met hers.

“Do you know what you're holding?”

“My father's account number.”

Adrian's face changed.

“Who told you?”

“Lucas.”

He closed his eyes for a moment.

Then he whispered something Elena couldn't hear.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You know the account.”

“Yes.”

“What's in it?”

“I don't know.”

“Another lie.”

“No.”

He stepped closer.

“I've spent three years looking for that account.”

Elena's eyes widened.

“Why?”

“Because your father didn't leave money there.”

“Then what did he leave?”

Adrian stared at her.

“Evidence.”

The word hung between them.

“What evidence?”

“Evidence that could destroy several powerful families.”

Elena's pulse raced.

“My father's evidence?”

“Yes.”

“Against who?”

Adrian didn't answer.

“Against your family?”

“No.”

“Against the Blackwoods?”

His silence was enough.

Elena's chest tightened.

“You said your family wasn't responsible.”

“I said the truth was complicated.”

“You knew this account existed.”

“Yes.”

“You knew my father left evidence.”

“Yes.”

“And you married me because you thought I could lead you to it.”

Adrian looked at her.

“At first.”

The answer shattered something inside her.

“At first?”

He took a breath.

“Then things changed.”

Elena laughed bitterly.

“When?”

“I don't know.”

“You don't know?”

“I realized I couldn't let anything happen to you.”

“That's convenient.”

“I don't care whether you believe me.”

“You should.”

“I do.”

Their eyes locked.

The air between them felt painfully still.

Elena wanted to hate him.

But she couldn't ignore the fear in his eyes.

Not fear for himself.

Fear for her.

“Why are you really afraid?” she whispered.

Adrian's voice dropped.

“Because the people who destroyed your father know you're my wife now.”

Elena's blood ran cold.

“What happens next?”

“They'll come for you.”

Before she could answer, every light in the mansion went out.

Darkness swallowed the terrace.

Elena gasped.

“Adrian?”

He immediately moved in front of her.

“Stay behind me.”

A sharp sound came from inside the house.

Glass breaking.

Then another.

Adrian pulled out his phone.

“No signal.”

Elena's heart pounded.

“What is happening?”

“Someone has entered the house.”

A shadow moved across the glass doors.

Adrian grabbed Elena's hand.

“Run.”

They rushed inside.

A security alarm suddenly screamed through the mansion.

Adrian pushed Elena behind him as two security officers ran toward them.

“Sir!”

“What happened?”

“The east wing has been breached.”

“Anyone injured?”

“No.”

“Find the intruder.”

The officers ran.

Elena looked at Adrian.

“My father's account—”

“Where is the paper?”

She reached into her pocket.

It was gone.

Her face went pale.

“I had it.”

Adrian's expression changed.

“When?”

“Just now.”

He searched the floor.

Nothing.

Then a phone began ringing upstairs.

Elena froze.

“That isn't my phone.”

Adrian looked toward the staircase.

The ringing stopped.

A second later, Elena's phone buzzed.

Unknown number.

She answered.

“Hello?”

Silence.

Then a distorted voice spoke.

“You shouldn't have married Adrian Blackwood.”

Elena's blood ran cold.

“Who are you?”

“You want the truth about your father?”

Her hand trembled.

“Yes.”

“Then come to the old Hartwell warehouse alone.”

Adrian shook his head and reached for the phone.

But the voice continued.

“Bring no one.”

A pause.

“Especially your husband.”

The call ended.

Elena lowered the phone.

Adrian's eyes were fixed on her.

“What did they say?”

She didn't answer.

“Tell me.”

“They want me to go to the Hartwell warehouse.”

“No.”

“They have information about my father.”

“No.”

“You don't understand.”

“I understand perfectly.”

Adrian stepped closer.

“They're using your father to lure you into a trap.”

Elena's eyes filled with frustration.

“Then what am I supposed to do?”

“Stay here.”

“I can't.”

“You can.”

“I need answers!”

“And I need you alive.”

Elena stared at him.

Neither spoke.

Then Adrian's phone rang.

He answered.

“What?”

His expression changed.

“What do you mean?”

He listened.

His face slowly lost all color.

“Send the footage to my phone.”

He hung up.

Elena watched him.

“What happened?”

Adrian looked at her.

“The security cameras caught the intruder.”

“Who was it?”

Adrian didn't answer.

“Adrian.”

He turned his phone toward her.

A blurry image appeared on the screen.

The intruder stood outside the room where Elena had been sleeping.

The face was partially hidden.

But the figure was unmistakably familiar.

Elena stared at the screen.

“No…”

Adrian's voice was quiet.

“You know him.”

Elena shook her head.

“I can't.”

“You do.”

The image sharpened.

The intruder turned slightly toward the camera.

Elena's breath stopped.

It was Daniel Reed.

The man who had abandoned her at the altar that morning.

The man who had claimed he wanted nothing more to do with her.

But in the photograph, Daniel was holding something in his hand.

A small black folder.

On its cover were four words:

HART FAMILY — ORIGINAL FILE

Elena looked at Adrian.

“If Daniel has my father's original file…”

Adrian finished the sentence.

“Then the man who destroyed your family may be closer to you than we thought.”

Before Elena could speak, Adrian's phone buzzed again.

A message appeared.

COME TO THE WAREHOUSE ALONE, ELENA.

Then another message arrived.

OR ADRIAN DIES TONIGHT.