CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE - FRAMED

Adeline's POV"Remote access," Dr. Chen said, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "Someone's been controlling Belle's computer remotely. They can see everything she sees, and access everything she accesses.""For how long?""I'm checking the logs..." She pulled up data. "Jesus. Three months. They've had access for three months."Three months. That was before Grey proposed, before the wedding was planned."Can you trace it?""I'm trying, but—" She shook her head. "It's bouncing through too many proxies. Whoever set this up knew exactly how to hide their tracks.""Because they learned from me," I said bitterly. "I taught them how to be invisible."Kayden appeared in the doorway, looking exhausted. It was almost 5 AM. "What did you find?"I showed him the evidence. "Someone's been using Belle's computer to spy on us, the entire family. Everything she's seen, everything she's accessed, they've seen it too."His face darkened. "Belle has been to family dinners, events. She's been in th

Last Updated : 2025-12-13

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO - INVESTIGATION

Adeline's POVThe east wing suite stopped feeling like a comfortable prison on day two.By day three, it felt like a tomb.I'd been allowed my phone but nothing else. No laptop, no network access, just four walls and guards.Kayden visited when he could. We had brief, tense conversations where we pretended everything would be okay.Belle had stopped responding to my texts.Eleven days until the wedding.On the morning of day three, they came for me.Tech specialist Dr. Chen, looking apologetic, accompanied by three people I didn't recognize and two Council members, Victoria and Vincent."Mrs. Gravano," Victoria said coldly. "The Council has authorized a formal technical interrogation.""I've already told you everything.""You've told us your version. Now we verify it."They set up equipment, laptops, recording devices, monitoring systems.One of the specialists, Teresa, sat across from me. "How long have you been Midnight Cerulean?""Ten years.""And you've worked alone this entire ti

Last Updated : 2025-12-13

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE - THE ACCUSATIONS

Adeline's POVThe command center was chaos.Maps were spread across tables, surveillance footage on multiple screens, phone records being analyzed. Marco coordinating search teams through headsets.I stood in the corner, feeling useless ..helpless.Every instinct screamed at me to do something. Find Belle, save her. But I didn't even know where to start.Kayden was on the phone with the police, officially reporting Belle missing, providing descriptions, last known location, everything.My phone sat silent in my hand. No new messages. No updates.Just that video playing on repeat in my mind. Belle crying, scared and bleeding."Adeline." Dr. Chen approached with a laptop. "I've been analyzing the video. Looking for any clues about location.""And?""The background is deliberately obscured. Dark. No identifying features. But…" She pulled up an enhanced version. "Listen to the audio."She played it. Belle's voice. "Addy, please. I'm scared…."Then, behind her voice, barely audible was a

Last Updated : 2025-12-14

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR - ACCUSATIONS

Adeline's POVV arrived ninety minutes later.She was a tall, sharp-featured woman, carrying a discrete black case. She moved with the precision of someone who'd done this hundreds of times."Blue Ray." She nodded at me."V. Thank you for coming.""You said it was urgent." Her eyes flicked to Kayden. "This is the husband?""Kayden Gravano.""And you've authorized enhanced interrogation?" V asked him directly."Whatever it takes to find Annabelle," Kayden said.V nodded. "Show me the subject."They moved Grey to a secure interrogation room and strapped him into a chair.V prepared the injection with practiced efficiency."This will feel like drowsiness," she explained. "Your inhibitions will lower and lying will become extremely difficult."She injected the serum into Grey's arm.Kayden and I watched through the one-way glass. Marco stood with us. Victoria and two other Council members had also arrived.We watched Grey's eyes begin to glaze. His body relaxing."How do you feel?" V aske

Last Updated : 2025-12-15

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE - BREAKING POINT

Adeline's POVAfter Kayden left me in the office, I sat in the chair and stared at the wall.Hours passed, or maybe minutes. Time had lost meaning.Belle was out there. Somewhere…scared, hurt….Maybe dying.And I couldn't find her.I'd failed.The thought kept circling over and over. Like a record stuck on repeat.I'd failed to protect her. Failed to see the danger. Failed to stop this before it was too late.My phone sat silent on the desk. No new messages, no demands, and no updates.Just silence.The worst kindA knock sounded at the door but I didn't answer.It opened anyway revealing Kayden standing at the threshold."Adeline."I didn't look at him.He came closer and sat on the edge of the desk."The search teams are still looking. Marco has fifty men covering the entire industrial district. We'll find her.""Will we?""Yes.""You don't know that.""I have to believe it. And so do you."I finally looked at him. "What if we don't? What if they've already…." I couldn't finish the se