# Chapter 2: The Invisible Witness
The private elevator ascended in complete silence.
Adrian stood a respectable two feet away from her.
He was watching the floor numbers climb, but Evelyn knew his focus was entirely on her breathing.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said.
Her voice sounded exhausted.
“Yes, I did,” he replied.
He looked at her.
“I should have done it two years ago.”
Evelyn closed her eyes and rested her head against the cool brass railing of the elevator car.
“You exposed us to the exact thing we agreed to avoid,” she reminded him.
“Bianca crossed a line,” Adrian said.
His jaw flexed.
“No one touches you.”
The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open to the penthouse suite.
Evelyn stepped out slowly.
Her hand instinctively rested on her swollen belly.
The penthouse was exactly as she had left it six months ago.
The same minimalist furniture.
The same sprawling view of the city skyline.
Adrian walked past her and poured a glass of water from a crystal pitcher.
He handed it to her.
“Sit down, Evie,” he said softly.
She took the glass but remained standing.
“Why did Charles Vale look at my mother’s photograph like that?” she asked.
Adrian froze.
He looked at the broken locket still clutched in her other hand.
“I don’t know,” Adrian said.
His tone was guarded.
Too guarded.
Evelyn knew that tone.
It was the voice he used during corporate acquisitions.
“You are lying to me, Adrian,” she said.
“I am trying to protect you,” he countered.
“From what?” she demanded.
Adrian walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window.
He looked out at the glittering city lights.
“My mother didn’t die in a car accident, Evie,” he said quietly.
Evelyn stopped breathing.
“She was murdered,” Adrian continued.
May you like
He turned to face her.
“And looking at that photograph, I think your mother was the only witness.”
