Chapter 10: The Brother Behind The Curtain
Adrian stared at the photograph.
His thumb remained frozen on the screen.
The image was clear.
Too clear.
Vanessa stood outside a restaurant, one hand resting on the arm of a man Adrian had known his entire life.
Elliot Cole.
His younger brother.
The person who had called him “family” while quietly standing on the other side of every decision.
Adrian looked at Nia.
“You knew?””
Nia didn’t answer immediately.
Her silence was more painful than a confession.
“How long?””
Nia looked down.
“I didn’t know everything.””
“That’s not what I asked.””
Her eyes met his.
“I knew Elliot was involved.””
The words hit him.
Adrian stepped back.
“My brother?””
“Yes.””
“And you said nothing?””
Nia’s expression changed.
“I tried.””
“You keep saying that.””
“Because it’s true.””
He shook his head.
“No. You kept secrets.””
Nia accepted the accusation.
Because she knew there was some truth in it.
But not the truth Adrian wanted.
“I kept information from you because every time I tried to tell you something, you defended the people hurting you.””
Adrian looked away.
The sentence landed because it was familiar.
He had done that.
Many times.
“When did you find out?””
Nia walked toward the desk.
“After your father died.””
Adrian frowned.
“My father?””
“Yes.””
She touched the edge of the old letter.
“Your father suspected someone was moving money from the family accounts.””
Adrian’s expression changed.
“Elliot?””
“I don’t know if it started with him.””
“Then why do you think it was him?””
Nia looked at the phone.
“Because your father left clues.””
Adrian stared.
“Clues?””
“He knew he was sick. He knew he didn’t have much time.””
She opened the letter carefully.
“He started documenting things.””
Adrian grabbed the paper.
“Why didn’t you tell me this?””
Nia looked at him.
“Because your father specifically asked me not to.””
Adrian froze.
“He asked you?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Nia hesitated.
“Because he was afraid you would confront Elliot before you understood what was happening.””
Adrian looked at the photograph again.
His brother.
His wife’s betrayal.
His father’s warning.
Everything connected.
Except one thing.
Vanessa.
“What does she have to do with Elliot?””
Nia’s face became serious.
“That’s the part I don’t know.””
Adrian laughed quietly.
“You expect me to believe that?””
“I don’t need you to believe me.””
She pointed at the phone.
“You need to ask yourself why she was meeting him.””
Adrian stared at the image.
He remembered the first time Vanessa met Elliot.
A family dinner.
She had been charming.
Too charming.
She had laughed at every joke.
Complimented every story.
He thought she was trying to fit in.
Now he wondered if she was studying them.
His phone rang.
The name on the screen made his stomach tighten.
Elliot.
Adrian answered.
“What do you want?””
A pause.
Then a calm voice.
“Is that how you answer your brother now?””
Adrian walked away from Nia.
“You have five seconds.””
Elliot laughed.
“Still dramatic.””
“Why were you with Vanessa?””
Silence.
A small one.
But Adrian noticed.
“I assume Nia showed you something.””
“She didn’t have to.””
Another pause.
“You should be careful.””
Adrian frowned.
“Is that a threat?””
“No.””
Elliot’s voice changed.
“It’s advice.””
“From someone meeting my wife’s replacement behind my back?””
Elliot sighed.
“You still don’t understand.””
“Then explain.””
“You think this is about Vanessa.””
Adrian looked toward Nia.
“What else would it be about?””
Elliot lowered his voice.
“This started long before her.””
Adrian felt a chill.
“What does that mean?””
“You really want the truth?””
“Yes.””
“Then stop trusting the people who make you feel comfortable.””
The call ended.
Adrian stared at the phone.
Nia watched him.
“What did he say?””
Adrian didn’t answer.
Because the worst part wasn’t the warning.
It was that Elliot sounded scared.
Not guilty.
May you like
Scared.
And Adrian knew his brother well enough to recognize the difference.
