Chapter 2 - The Address in Maine

Adrian left the engagement party before midnight.

No announcement.

No goodbye.

Thomas drove.

I sat in the back with Adrian.

Serena came too.

Her father did not.

Adrian had said:

“You stay here.”

Mr. Holt did.

For once.

The road to Maine took seven hours.

Adrian barely spoke.

He kept his mother’s letter folded inside his jacket.

Every hour, he touched it.

Just to make sure it was still there.

At dawn, we reached a coastal town small enough to disappear inside.

Gray water.

White houses.

Fishing boats.

Wind.

Thomas stopped in front of a narrow cottage above the cliffs.

Adrian looked at the address again.

“This is it?”

“Yes.”

He got out.

Then stopped.

A woman was standing behind the screen door.

Late fifties.

Dark hair streaked with silver.

Thin face.

Same eyes as Adrian.

He did not breathe.

Neither did she.

Thomas whispered:

“Catherine.”

Adrian stared.

Fourteen years.

Then the woman opened the door.

“Adrian.”

He took one step.

Stopped.

“You’re alive.”

Her mouth trembled.

“Yes.”

He looked angry.

Then broken.

Then angry again.

“You knew where I was.”

“Yes.”

“You knew I believed you abandoned me.”

“Yes.”

“You knew I visited your grave.”

Her eyes filled.

“Yes.”

Adrian laughed once.

It sounded terrible.

Serena looked down.

Catherine saw her.

Her expression changed.

“A Holt.”

Adrian noticed.

“You know Serena?”

“No.”

“Then why did you write to her?”

Catherine looked at Thomas.

“You brought the safe?”

“No.”

“The letters?”

“Yes.”

Catherine nodded slowly.

Then looked at Adrian.

“We need to go inside.”

He did not move.

“Why?”

“Because if Serena’s father knows you found me, we may not have much time.”

Serena’s face changed.

“My father helped you.”

Catherine stared at her.

“Once.”

Serena swallowed.

“He said he changed his mind.”

“He did.”

“Why?”

Catherine looked at Adrian.

“Because your grandfather offered him something stronger than fear.”

Adrian’s jaw tightened.

“Money?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

“Protection.”

Silence.

Catherine opened the door wider.

Inside, the cottage looked ordinary.

Kitchen.

Books.

Old photographs.

Then Adrian saw one.

Him.

Age fourteen.

Outside school.

Another.

Age seventeen.

Graduation.

Another.

Age twenty-three.

Standing beside his father at a funeral.

He turned slowly.

“You were watching me.”

Catherine whispered:

“Every year.”

His face changed.

“You came back?”

“More than once.”

“Why didn’t you talk to me?”

“Because your grandfather’s men were always near you.”

Adrian stared.

“He died six years ago.”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you come back after that?”

Catherine did not answer.

Thomas looked away.

Adrian saw it.

“What?”

Catherine sat.

“Your grandfather was not the last person who wanted me silent.”

Adrian looked at Serena.

Then at Thomas.

“Who?”

Catherine’s eyes lifted.

“Your father.”

Silence.

Adrian did not move.

“My father?”

“Yes.”

“He told me you abandoned us.”

“I know.”

“He spent fourteen years saying you chose your own life.”

“I know.”

“Why would he lie?”

Catherine reached for a file.

“He was involved.”

Adrian stared at her.

“In what?”

“The hidden accounts.”

She opened the file.

Payments.

Companies.

Dates.

Property transfers.

And one signature.

Adrian Bellini’s father.

Victor Bellini.

Serena whispered:

“Oh my God.”

Adrian looked at the papers.

Then at Catherine.

“You said grandfather ordered them.”

“He did.”

“But my father helped.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Catherine’s voice softened.

“At first, because he thought the accounts were tax shelters.”

“At first?”

“Then he learned they were being used to pay judges, police, and shipping inspectors.”

Adrian’s eyes hardened.

“And he stayed?”

“For three years.”

Silence.

Serena stepped closer.

“My father too?”

Catherine nodded.

“Yes.”

Serena closed her eyes.

Adrian looked at her.

Both families.

Same crime.

Same silence.

Catherine continued.

“I discovered the records because I was the only accountant handling both sets of shell companies.”

Adrian frowned.

“And when you threatened to expose them?”

“Your grandfather ordered me killed.”

Thomas added:

“Victor helped her escape.”

Adrian looked at him.

“My father?”

“Yes.”

Catherine nodded.

“He chose me.”

Adrian stared.

“Then why did you just say he wanted you silent?”

Catherine’s eyes filled.

“Because later he chose you.”

Adrian did not understand.

She handed him another letter.

Different handwriting.

His father’s.

IF SHE COMES BACK, ADRIAN DIES.

Adrian froze.

Catherine whispered:

“Your grandfather made him choose.”

Silence.

Victor had protected Catherine once.

Then betrayed her to save Adrian.

Adrian looked at the ocean through the window.

“My entire life is people choosing which truth I’m allowed to survive.”

No one answered.

Then a car stopped outside.

Thomas looked through the curtain.

His face changed.

Black SUV.

New York plates.

Serena whispered:

“My father.”

Adrian turned.

“How did he find us?”

Catherine looked at Serena.

Serena went pale.

“My phone.”

Adrian stared.

“You were tracked.”

She nodded.

Outside, Mr. Holt stepped from the SUV.

But he was not alone.

Victor Bellini stepped out after him.

Adrian stopped breathing.

“My father?”

Catherine stood so fast the chair fell.

Adrian stared through the window.

May you like

[COMPLETED] “GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY DRESS! YOU’RE NOTHING BUT AN OLD SEAM...

[COMPLETED] At the Mafia Boss's Engagement Party, I Served His Hungry So...

[COMPLETED] The Mafia Boss’s Fiancée Tried to Dismiss His Father’s Loyal...

The man he had buried two years earlier was walking toward the cottage.

Alive.