Chapter 5
Adrian stood frozen in the center of the cold stone room.
Rain lashed the narrow window.
A single candle burned on a small table.
It was still warm.
They had just taken him.
He ran back down the stairs, three at a time.
He had to find them.
He reached the ground floor and heard voices from Vivian’s private study.
He pressed his back against the wall and listened.
Vivian. And Clara.
“The guards saw him escape the holding room,” Clara said, her voice tight with fear. “He will come for the boy.”
Vivian sounded completely calm.
“Then we move the plan forward. Take Noah to the airport now. The jet is ready.”
“Where are we taking him?” Clara asked.
“Abroad. To my sister’s estate. Adrian will never find him there.”
Adrian’s blood turned to ice.
She was sending Noah away.
Far away. Where he might never see him again.
Clara hesitated.
“Vivian… is this really necessary? This is his son.”
Vivian snapped.
“Do not dare lecture me! Adrian will not sign while Noah is here where he can reach him. Once the boy is gone… he will sign anything. And then we bring him back. Once everything is mine.”
Clara fell silent.
“Now go,” Vivian ordered. “Before he finds you. And Clara? If you fail me… you lose everything too.”
Footsteps approached the door.
Adrian looked around.
No place to hide.
He grabbed a heavy brass lamp from the table beside him.
The door opened.
Clara stepped out, clutching a small suitcase.
She saw Adrian.
She gasped.
Adrian raised the lamp.
“Where is he?”
Clara stared at him, terrified.
“Adrian… don’t—”
“WHERE IS MY SON?”
Clara glanced toward the back entrance.
“They are putting him in the car right now. You have minutes.”
Adrian lowered the lamp.
He stared at her.
“Why are you telling me this?”
Clara’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because I have a child too. Go. Now.”
Adrian did not wait.
He ran.
Through the kitchen.
Down the service corridor.
Toward the back gates.
Rain hit him hard, blinding him.
He saw headlights pulling away.
A black sedan.
Noah was inside.
Adrian ran faster than he had ever run in his life.
He yelled Noah’s name.
The car did not stop.
It sped toward the main gate.
Adrian watched the gates begin to close.
He had one chance.
He threw himself forward.
He slid across the wet pavement.
May you like
Beneath the iron bars.
Just as they slammed shut.
