CHAPTER 3: THE TRUTH THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

Adrian felt physically sick.
Every lie.
Every accusation.
Every lonely night.
Every tear Elena had cried...
Had been built on Victoria's deception.
He walked toward Elena.
Then stopped.
"I don't deserve your forgiveness."
Elena lowered her eyes.
"No."
"I suppose you don't."
The words hurt.
Because they were true.
"I believed her," Adrian whispered.
"I should have trusted you."
"I searched for you..."
Elena interrupted quietly.
"You searched for the woman she described."
"Not for the woman you loved."
Adrian couldn't argue.
She was right.
Just then the front door opened.
Two detectives entered the mansion.
Mrs. Collins had already called the police.
Victoria stood abruptly.
"This is a misunderstanding."
The lead detective calmly placed the flash drive into an evidence bag.
"We've already spoken with the hospital."
"The injuries match the recording."
"And we've located the letters Miss Elena tried to deliver."
Everyone turned.
"The letters?"
The detective nodded.
"They were hidden inside Madam Victoria's private safe."
Adrian stared in disbelief.
Victoria had stolen every letter.
Every attempt Elena made to reach him.
Every chance they had to become a family.
The detectives placed Victoria under arrest.
As they escorted her toward the door...
She looked back one final time.
"Everything I did..."
"...was for you, Adrian."
He never answered.
He simply turned away.
She was no longer the most important person in the room.
His family was.