Chapter 11 - THE BABY'S HEARTBEAT
Mara escaped the basement with the red folder pressed against her chest.
She didn't know how.
She remembered Adrian finding her.
She remembered him shouting her name.
She remembered running.
Then the night became a blur of sirens, headlights and gunfire.
By the time they reached the safe house, Mara was shaking.
Adrian followed her inside.
“Mara.”
She threw the folder onto the table.
“Read it.”
He opened it.
His expression changed.
“What is this?”
“You tell me.”
Adrian scanned the pages.
His face became colder with every line.
Mara watched him.
“Blake planned our marriage.”
Adrian looked up.
“I don't know.”
“Don't lie to me.”
“I’m not.”
“He knew about me before we met.”
Adrian read the document again.
Mara's voice trembled.
“He chose me.”
Adrian said nothing.
“Why?”
“We need to find out.”
Mara laughed.
“That's all you ever say.”
Adrian looked at her.
She turned away.
Her stomach suddenly cramped.
Mara froze.
Adrian noticed.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Mara.”
The pain came again.
Sharper.
Mara grabbed the edge of the table.
Adrian was beside her instantly.
“What's wrong?”
“I don't know.”
She looked down.
There was blood.
Adrian's face went white.
“Call the doctor.”
Mara shook her head.
“No.”
“Now.”
“I said no!”
The pain intensified.
Mara cried out.
Adrian caught her.
This time, she didn't resist.
The hospital was a blur.
Bright lights.
Doctors.
Nurses.
Questions.
Mara barely heard any of them.
Adrian stood outside the examination room.
He had refused to leave.
After what seemed like hours, a doctor came out.
Adrian immediately stood.
“How is she?”
The doctor looked at him.
“Are you family?”
Adrian hesitated.
Then said:
“Yes.”
The doctor nodded.
“The baby is alive.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
For the first time, Mara saw him visibly exhale.
“But she needs rest,” the doctor continued.
“Is the baby okay?”
“For now.”
Adrian's face tightened.
“For now?”
“She experienced stress and physical trauma. She needs to be monitored.”
Adrian nodded.
“Can I see her?”
The doctor looked toward the room.
“Yes.”
Adrian entered.
Mara lay on the bed.
Her face was pale.
She stared at the ceiling.
Adrian stopped beside her.
“The baby is alive.”
Mara closed her eyes.
A tear slid down her cheek.
“Thank God.”
Adrian stood silently.
Then the monitor began to beep.
The doctor entered.
“Would you like to hear the heartbeat?”
Mara looked at him.
She nodded.
The room filled with a rapid, steady sound.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Mara began to cry.
Adrian stared at the monitor.
Something changed in his face.
He reached for Mara's hand.
Then stopped.
She noticed.
After a moment, she extended her hand.
Adrian took it.
His fingers were warm.
The heartbeat continued.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Mara whispered, “It sounds strong.”
“Yes.”
Adrian looked at the monitor.
“It does.”
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Then Mara said, “You can't keep secrets from me anymore.”
Adrian looked at her.
“I know.”
“If you do, I leave.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“And you don't decide what happens to me.”
“I know.”
Mara looked at him.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
She studied his face.
“Then tell me everything.”
Adrian looked down.
“I don't know everything.”
“Tell me what you know.”
He was silent.
Then he began.
“Blake's father built the network.”
Mara listened.
“Blake inherited it.”
“And me?”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“We don't know why he chose you.”
Mara looked at him.
“Then find out.”
“I will.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“We will.”
Adrian stared at her.
Mara continued.
“I’m done being the person everyone protects while they make decisions behind my back.”
Adrian nodded slowly.
“Then we will.”
The door opened.
One of Adrian's men entered.
“Boss.”
Adrian turned.
“What?”
“We found Vanessa.”
Mara sat up.
“Where?”
“Virginia.”
Adrian stood.
“Take us there.”
The man hesitated.
Adrian looked at Mara.
The doctor immediately protested.
“She shouldn't travel.”
Mara looked at Adrian.
He said nothing.
For once, he did not decide.
Mara looked at the doctor.
“How long?”
“At least twenty-four hours.”
Mara looked toward the window.
She hated waiting.
But the baby came first.
“Fine.”
Adrian nodded.
His phone rang.
He answered.
“Cross.”
A voice spoke.
Adrian's face became cold.
“What?”
Mara watched him.
He ended the call.
“What happened?”
Adrian looked at her.
“Vanessa is dead.”
Mara's stomach dropped.
“How?”
“Someone got to her first.”
Mara stared.
Adrian's phone rang again.
This time, a message arrived.
A photograph.
Vanessa lying in a hotel room.
And beside her—
a note.
ONE WITNESS GONE.
Mara stared at the screen.
Then another message arrived.
TWO LEFT.
Adrian looked at her.
“Who are the two?”
Mara whispered:
“Elena.”
May you like
Then she looked at the folder.
“And me.”
