# Chapter 18: A Fragile Life
“Your wife is stable,” the surgeon said softly.
Adrian let out a ragged breath and leaned heavily against the wall.
“She lost a massive amount of blood, but we managed to stop the hemorrhaging.”
“She is resting in the ICU.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
“And the baby?” he asked.
The silence stretched for a terrifying second.
“It was a very close call,” the surgeon admitted.
“But you have a remarkably strong little boy.”
She smiled faintly.
“He is in the neonatal intensive care unit.”
“He will need to stay in the incubators for a few weeks, but he is breathing on his own.”
Adrian felt a tear slip down his cheek.
He didn’t bother to wipe it away.
“Can I see them?” he asked.
“You can see your son first,” she directed.
“Your wife will be unconscious for at least another six hours.”
Adrian followed the nurse down the winding corridors to the NICU.
The room was filled with the soft hum of machinery.
He stopped in front of a small, clear plastic bassinet.
Inside lay the smallest human he had ever seen.
The baby was covered in tiny wires and monitors.
He had a shock of dark hair.
He looked exactly like Evelyn.
Adrian reached through the small porthole of the incubator.
He gently rested his large finger against the baby’s tiny palm.
The infant’s fingers curled weakly around it.
Adrian began to weep silently.
All the money, the power, and the legacy meant absolutely nothing compared to this fragile life.
“I promise you,” Adrian whispered to his son.
“I will build a world where you never have to be afraid.”
A gentle hand touched his shoulder.
It was Martin Keene.
His arm was in a heavy sling from the gunshot wound.
“Mr. Cross,” Martin said quietly.
“What are you doing here?” Adrian growled.
“I came to surrender,” Martin said.
He handed a sealed envelope to Adrian.
May you like
“And to give you the final piece of the puzzle.”
“The secret Charles killed for wasn’t just about stolen money.”
