Chapter 8 - Vivian’s Second Story
Adrian confronted Vivian with only part of what they had found.
He did not mention Elena’s tablet.
He did not mention the guardianship document.
He wanted Vivian talking.
Vivian sat in the library beside her attorney, Martin Keene.
She had hired him within hours of the pool incident.
Martin was sharp, expensive, and cautious.
“My client already explained the incident.”
Adrian ignored him.
“Vivian, why did Elena stop trusting you?”
Vivian’s eyes shifted.
“She never did.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
“She trusted me completely.”
Adrian leaned back.
“Did she?”
Martin interrupted.
“If you intend to accuse my client of something, do it clearly.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Your client pushed my son into a pool.”
Martin’s expression tightened.
“That footage is being reviewed.”
“Review it until Christmas.”
Adrian turned back to Vivian.
“Elena planned to remove you as Leo’s guardian.”
Vivian’s face changed for half a second.
There.
Adrian saw it.
Recognition.
She knew.
Vivian recovered.
“Elena talked about changing documents constantly.”
“You knew?”
“I knew she was stressed.”
“Why?”
“Because she had a newborn.”
Adrian studied her.
“What happened to the letter she wrote me?”
Vivian blinked.
“What letter?”
“The letter in the attic inventory.”
“I don’t know.”
“You were the last person who accessed Elena’s personal boxes before they were sealed.”
“I was grieving.”
“So was I.”
Vivian looked away.
Adrian lowered his voice.
“You knew exactly where every document was.”
Vivian’s anger surfaced.
“Because you were useless.”
Martin glanced toward her.
Vivian continued before he could stop her.
“You were walking around that house like a ghost.”
Adrian stayed silent.
“I handled everything.”
“Yes.”
“I arranged the funeral.”
“Yes.”
“I fed your child.”
“Yes.”
“I kept your company from collapsing.”
“No.”
Vivian stopped.
Adrian leaned forward.
“You helped.”
He held her gaze.
“You did not own us.”
Vivian’s eyes hardened.
“That is easy to say now that Grace has rewritten history.”
“Grace had nothing to do with Elena’s notes.”
Vivian froze.
Martin turned toward her.
Adrian saw fear return.
“What notes?”
Vivian asked.
Adrian almost smiled.
He had never said there were notes.
Vivian had assumed.
Martin stood.
“This conversation is over.”
Adrian remained seated.
“Good.”
Vivian rose.
At the door Adrian spoke again.
“Vivian.”
She stopped.
“Did Elena ever tell you she was afraid of you?”
Vivian slowly turned.
For one second, her face showed something Adrian had never seen.
Hatred.
Not grief.
Not jealousy.
Hatred.
Then it disappeared.
“She was sick.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
“Elena wasn’t diagnosed with anything before her procedure.”
Vivian stared at him.
Martin immediately touched her elbow.
“Do not answer.”
But the words were already out.
She was sick.
Adrian had not said anything about Elena’s health.
Grace stood behind the partially open side door and heard every word.
Later, she found Adrian alone at his desk.
“You noticed it too.”
“Yes.”
“She knew something.”
Adrian looked at Elena’s photograph.
Grace quietly asked the question neither of them wanted to say aloud.
“Are you starting to wonder whether Elena’s death was really just a medical complication?”
May you like
Adrian closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
