บททั้งหมดของ Stolen by my Dad best friend : บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

Tessa's POV "COME TO THE WAREHOUSE BEFORE MIDNIGHT.BRING THE PENDANT.OR ROSE'S MOTHER DIES."I stared at the message until the words blurred.My fingers tightened around the pendant hanging against my chest."We have to go," Rose whispered."No."Daven's answer came immediately.Rose looked at him. "That's my mother.""I know.""Then why are you saying no?""Because Adrian wants us to walk straight into a trap."Daren stepped closer, his expression tense."He's right."Everyone turned toward him.Daren looked at the hidden door behind us."We need to leave. Now."A loud metallic sound came from somewhere beyond the wall.Then another.The door behind us began to shake."He's locking the passage," Daren said.Adrenaline spiked through me.Daven grabbed my hand."Move."We ran.The narrow passage loomed darker than before. I could hear Rose behind me, with Victor close beside her."Left!" Daren shouted.We turned sharply.A second later, the door we had just passed slammed shut.I ga

Tessa's Pov I couldn't move.The photograph was still in Jake's hand. The hidden person stood behind Adrian and Daren, face partly obscured by the warehouse shadow. But I knew those clothes. That posture.I'd seen that person recently."Who is it?" Rose asked.Daren reached for the photograph."Give me that."Jake pulled it away."No."Daren's expression hardened."Jake. You know who that is.""Enough!"My voice cut through them."I'm tired of everyone knowing something except me."Daren's face softened."I understand.""Then tell me where Rose's mother is."He hesitated."An abandoned storage facility outside Westbridge."Rose stepped forward immediately."We're going."Victor shook his head."No.""My mother could be there.""That's exactly why you're staying here."Rose's eyes flashed."I'm not a child.""I know.""Then stop treating me like one."Victor stepped closer.His voice cracked."Rose, I almost lost you once. I watched them take you from me. I couldn't do anything."She

Tessa's Pov The photograph shook in my hand.ONE OF THEM LIED.I looked at Daven.He was staring at it too."Did you lie?" I asked.His eyes lifted to mine."Not about what I feel for you."My chest tightened.But before I could ask anything else, Jake stepped closer."Tessa, we need to talk."I looked at him."About what?""Daven."Daven's expression hardened."Jake.""I'm not trying to start something.""Then don't."Jake ignored him."You need to think about what being with him will cost you."I frowned."I already know it's complicated.""No. You don't."His voice was serious."Your father spent twenty-one years protecting you from this. Daven has been part of it from the beginning."I shook my head."He was protecting my mother.""And hiding evidence."I went silent.Jake continued."You just found out he kept secrets for twenty-one years. And now you're willing to trust him because he said he loves you?""That isn't fair.""Maybe not."His eyes softened."But I'm worried about

Tessa's Pov The room was dark.My phone was the only source of light.YOU WANTED THE TRUTH.NOW ASK DAVEN WHAT HE SIGNED AWAY TO SAVE YOU.AND ASK HIM WHO HE PROMISED HE WOULD NEVER TELL.I stared at the screen until my eyes burned.Then I looked at Daven.He was standing a few feet away. Silent."Who did you promise?"He didn't answer."Daven."His shoulders dropped."Monalisa.""What did you promise her?""That I would protect you.""You've said that."I held up the agreement."This says more."He looked at the document."I signed away my right to tell you.""What's the difference?""Everything."Daven stepped closer."When you were born, your mother was terrified. She believed someone was looking for you.""Why would anyone care about a baby?""Because they believed you were connected to something they needed."I shook my head."That doesn't make sense.""I know.""Then what was I connected to?"Daven hesitated."We didn't know."I laughed bitterly."You signed an agreement withou

Tessa's Pov I couldn't breathe.The photograph was still in my hand.Daven was holding me as a baby.My mother stood beside him.And Victor was on the other side.Three adults. One child. One night.And beneath the photograph:HE WAS THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED.I looked at Daven."What happened?"His face was pale."I don't know what they want you to believe.""But you were there.""Yes.""You were holding me.""Yes.""Why?"Daven opened his mouth.Nothing came out.The wall behind us clicked.A section slowly moved inward.Jake stepped back."What the hell?"Daren stared at it."A hidden room."Daven immediately moved in front of me."Stay here.""No."I stepped around him."If there's another room, I'm going inside.""Tessa—""I've had enough of being protected from the truth."He looked at me for a long moment.Then nodded."Fine. But you're staying beside me."I gave him a small nod."Always."His eyes softened.We entered.The room was much larger than Room 17.Shelves covered every